Information for Off-Campus Students

Orientation

Each off-campus cohort is facilitated by a site coordinator, who is the on-site administrator and serves as the link between Lesley's Cambridge offices and the students in off-campus programs. Off-campus students are invited to attend an orientation session given by their site coordinator, where they will learn about their program. They will also receive a copy of the Off-Campus Student Resource Guide. (Students in ITA, click here for a separate guide for Integrated Teaching Through the Arts). Off-campus Massachusetts initial licensure students will be invited to an on-campus orientation session in Cambridge, given by the director of the program they are enrolled in. For PhD students: orientation will take place during your first residency.

Registration for Classes

Registration for off-campus students takes place by paper registration form on the first night of the first class of the program or at orientation, and is overseen by the site coordinator. At that time, you will give permission for the university to automatically register you, by semester, for the rest of your classes. You will also receive a program schedule of classes and dates.

The Registrar's website has information for off-campus students, which lists details regarding off-campus registration, registering for courses outside of the cohort, automatic registration, withdrawing from a course, and off-campus course schedules.

Information About Your Faculty Advisor and Assistant Director

Off-campus students receive the name and contact information for their faculty advisor and assistant director for academic advising on their program schedule. For more information, see Meet Your Faculty Advisor or Meet Your Assistant Director. Students may also access this information by logging on to LOIS and checking under the "Personal and Academic Profile" link under Academic Profile.

My Assessment Portfolio

Students who begin degree programs on or after October 25, 2010, are participating in an electronic portfolio system in the School of Education. Please visit the MAP information page to learn more about accessing your account and training opportunities for students.

If You Cannot Take a Scheduled Course

If a student is unable, for emergency or "milestone" reasons, to take a scheduled course in the program, he or she should contact the assistant director for academic advising or (ITA students) faculty academic advisor to discuss alternatives.

Campus Resources

Off-campus students may take advantage of the many campus offices and services through the web or, where possible, in person. Check the resources link for information on Sherrill Library, the Career Resource Center, the Center for Academic Achievement, and more. Off-campus students may also take advantage of the Center for Academic Achievement's online tutoring service, through which you can submit drafts of assigned papers to trained peer tutors, who will review the papers and provide guidance for improving writing and editing.

Graduation

Degrees are conferred four times a year, in February, May, August, and November. A ceremony is held each May at a location in or near Boston, which off-campus students are welcome to attend. Because students are responsible for meeting all degree requirements, they are advised to check LOIS or consult with their assistant director for academic advising at the beginning of the semester before graduation is anticipated to ensure that requirements are in order, that coursework will be completed within the Registrar's timelines, and that the instructor will post grades within the deadlines for the conferral period. Students must also have fulfilled all of their financial obligations to the University.

Students are not eligible for graduation in the same semester that acceptance to a degree program is given. Transfer credit and course waiver procedures must be completed at least one semester prior to the beginning of the final semester before graduation.

Candidates who are completing their program of study and expect to graduate must complete and submit an Intent to Graduate form to the Registrar's Office by the beginning of the final semester of study. Be sure to check deadlines, as no exceptions to the deadlines will be made. Students need to fill out and return this form, with fee (currently $125 and subject to change), regardless of whether they will attend the graduation ceremony. If you are mailing the form, allow five days for the form to reach the Registrar's Office by the deadline.