Provisional University Bulletin (2024-2025)

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences was formally established in 1953 when the university's Board of Trustees authorized graduate study in the departments of Chemistry, Music, Psychology and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. The general direction of the Graduate School is vested in the Council of the Graduate School, composed of a faculty representative of each graduate program.

The Council is chaired by the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or their designee. The functions of the Graduate Council, exercised in consonance with university policy, are to determine requirements for admission; provide programs of study and examination; establish and maintain requirements for graduate degrees; make recommendations for degrees; make recommendations for new areas of graduate study; establish such regulations as may be considered necessary or expedient for governing the Graduate School; and exercise a general supervision over its affairs. The Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is the chief executive officer of the Graduate School. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is governed by its governance document.

The overarching aim of the Graduate School is to assemble a community of scholars, scientists, and artists in which to pursue study, research, and training. This objective is attained by clear programs of study, the limited number of students accepted, and close contact between students and faculty. The smaller size of our programs engenders a high degree of collaboration and relationship building among our community of scholars, encouraging interdisciplinary approaches and a commitment to fostering the intellectual potential of each student. Graduate programs are designed to educate broadly as well as train professionally, preparing graduates for successful careers in academia, government and the private and nonprofit sectors. 

Ancient Greek and Roman Studies (Classical Studies) (MA)

Anthropology (MA, PhD)

Anthropology & Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (MA)

Biochemistry and Biophysics (MS, PhD)

Biotechnology (MS)

Biotechnology and Business Administration (dual MS/MBA)

Chemistry (MA, MS, PhD)

Computational Linguistics (MS)

Computer Science (MS, PhD)

Education (Teacher Leadership) (M.Ed, Advanced Graduate Studies)

English (MA, PhD)

English & Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (MA)

History (MA, PhD)

Jewish Professional Leadership (MA)

Jewish Professional Leadership & Business Administration (dual MA/MBA)

Jewish Professional Leadership & Educational Leadership (dual MA/EdM)

Jewish Professional Leadership & Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (joint MA)

Jewish Professional Leadership & Public Policy (dual MA/MPP)

Mathematics (MA, MS, PhD, postbaccalaureate)

Molecular and Cell Biology (MS, PhD)

Music Composition and Theory (MA, MFA, PhD)

Musicology (MA, PhD)

Music & Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (MA in passing)

Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (MA, PhD)

Near Eastern and Judaic Studies & Conflict Resolution and Coexistence (joint MA)

Near Eastern and Judaic Studies & Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (joint MA)

Neuroscience (MS, PhD)

Philosophy (MA)

Physics (MS, PhD)

Politics (MA, PhD)

Psychology (MA, PhD)

Sociology (PhD)

Sociology & Social Policy (joint PhD)

Sociology & Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (joint MA)

Studio Art (postbaccalaureate)

Teaching of Chinese (MA)

Theater Arts: Acting (on hiatus)

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (MA)

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies & Sustainable International Development (joint MA)

Only well-qualified applicants who have completed a U.S. bachelor's degree (or the international equivalent) will be considered for admission to the Graduate School. 

Graduates of international colleges and universities who have the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree and international students who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree from American universities may apply for admission and financial assistance at Brandeis, which is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

Applying to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Specific requirements for each graduate program are to be found under the appropriate headings in this Bulletin and on the GSAS website. Each applicant should consult these requirements before submitting an application. Most international applicants are required to submit official English Proficiency scores. Please see the GSAS website to determine which applicants have the requirement waived. With limited exceptions, a student may apply to only one graduate program in an academic year.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online. The application for admission should be completed and submitted to GSAS by the specified deadline.

Admission Procedure

All applicants are considered on a competitive basis. The number of students admitted each year in each program is limited so that the Graduate School may operate effectively under its distinctive principles of individualized study and apprenticeship. Consequently, admission may sometimes be denied to qualified persons.

Meeting the minimum standards of admission merely qualifies the applicant for a place in the group from which final selections will be made. Selections are based on the applicant's ability to do graduate work of high quality, as shown by the distinction of the student's previous record, particularly in the proposed area of study; the letters of recommendation submitted in support of the application; and the student's presumed adaptability to the particular graduate programs offered by Brandeis. In addition, knowledge of foreign languages, relevant practical experience in the field, samples of work, the results of the standardized tests (if provided/required), and indications of character are considered.

Each application for admission with all supporting records is first examined by the appropriate program committee. The committee recommends to the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences which applicants should be selected for admission and financial aid. The Dean reviews applications in the light of the program's recommendations.

Acceptance of Admission Offer

A student who has been accepted for admission to the Graduate School will be notified by a letter specifying the date by which they must accept the offer of admission and awards, if any. A non-refundable enrollment deposit of $300 must be paid by each master's degree or postbaccalaureate program applicant upon notification of acceptance (unless otherwise indicated in the offer of admission). This deposit reserves a place in the class and is credited toward the first semester tuition bill. 

If the admitted student fails to enroll or withdraws the application, the enrollment deposit is not refunded. If an admitted student declines the offer or fails to reply by the date specified, the admission offer becomes void.

Brandeis subscribes to the "Resolution Regarding Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Graduate Assistants" of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States. The resolution states:

Acceptance of an offer of financial support* (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. In that context, the conditions affecting such offers and their acceptance must be defined carefully and understood by all parties.

Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15 and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. There has been a change in our process for students who want to withdraw from an offer of acceptance of financial support, starting with Fall 2020 admissions.  In this case, the applicant must first inform the program that they are withdrawing or resigning from the offer of financial support that they previously had accepted.  Starting in Fall 2020, applicants are no longer required to obtain a formal release from the program whose offer they accepted, either before or after the April 15 deadline. Once they have informed the program that they are withdrawing their acceptance of the offer, they then can accept any other offers.

Admitted students must provide the Graduate School office with official copies of all transcripts, including an official, final transcript of their undergraduate record. Admission offers may be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, material omission of fact, dishonesty, violation of University standards in the application for admission, violation of University academic standards, or any other pre-matriculation misconduct.

Students are required to submit health and immunization records before their arrival to campus. Students will have to enroll in, or provide proof of, qualifying health insurance coverage. Registration is conditional upon receipt of required forms. More information can be found on the Admitted Student Checklist.

Admission is valid for the length of the program and is contingent on satisfactory academic progress. Admission to the Graduate School does not imply that the successful applicant will ultimately be accepted as a candidate for a graduate degree. Superior performance at Brandeis is essential. Brandeis University reserves the right to deny admission or permission to register or require the withdrawal of any student at any time for any reason it considers sufficient, including but not limited to character and personal conduct.

Admissions Deferrals

Admitted master's and postbaccalaureate applicants may request a maximum one-year deferral of their enrollment. If admitted students are interested in deferring their admission, then they should email the Graduate School at gsas@brandeis.edu as soon as possible to make the request. Requests for admission deferral are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and deferrals are not guaranteed. Students will be asked to pay their $300 non-refundable enrollment deposit (if applicable) in order to start the deferral process. Updates on the deferral process will be provided in writing from the Graduate School. Original financial awards (if any) are not guaranteed and will be reassessed if the deferral is granted. 

Admitted doctoral applicants are not eligible to defer their admission and must reapply the following year. If you are an admitted PhD student facing extraordinary circumstances that could delay the start of your doctoral studies, then please contact the Graduate School at gsas@brandeis.edu as soon as possible.

 

Readmission

A student who has not been enrolled in the Graduate School for more than one year and who did not obtain a leave of absence must request readmission from the program and the Graduate School. Readmission is not valid for a new program; the student can only be readmitted into the program from which they withdrew. The student's graduate program will determine in each case whether a student should be readmitted. If the program's requirements have changed during the student's absence or the student is not deemed current in their field of study, the program may require the student to repeat or supplement previous academic requirements, including foreign language or qualifying exams. When a student is reinstated, the student will be informed of current status regarding credits and time to degree. When a student withdraws or remains unenrolled in the program for more than a year, the funding package from the Graduate School awarded to the student is forfeit. Typically, when a student is readmitted, they are not eligible for GSAS funding or aid. 

The following general requirements apply to the awarding of graduate degrees and postbaccalaureate credits in all areas of study. For specific program requirements students should consult the appropriate section of this Bulletin.

A. Residency Requirements

All GSAS programs have a certain number of in-person residence semesters in which students are expected to be physically in the greater Boston area and participating in the in-person life of the university community. Please check your specific program for the length of the in-person residency. When students are in the residency portion of their program, they pay the full-time tuition rate for their program unless they are a part-time student in which case they pay the part-time rate.

Once the in-person residency portion of the program is completed, students have the option to remain in-person or remote (if pedagogically possible) to complete the academic requirements of the degree program.

A student in residency should typically be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term, and the time-to-degree limit for each degree assumes this rate of full-time enrollment. A full-time resident student may take up to 20 credits per term, but no student may receive credit for, or be charged for, more than a full-time program in any term. Thus, the minimum residence requirement for any degree may not be satisfied by an accelerated program of study or payment of more than the full-time tuition rate in any single academic year.

After completing the residency requirement and coursework requirements for their program, a student must still maintain full time enrollment and register for a minimum of 12 graduate research credits. PhD students who are in the post-residency billing cohort status must register for CONT500a every semester (or an equivalent departmental research course). Masters students who are in the extended masters billing cohort status must register for CONT200a (or an equivalent departmental research course).

B. Annual Academic Performance Review, Academic Standing and Progress to the Degree

Graduate programs review students' academic progress annually and make recommendations for a student’s continuation in the program. However, programs with shorter lengths (1-2 years) may also review academic records at the end of each semester. A program may also initiate an academic review if a student is not making suitable academic progress. 

At this review, the records of all graduate students will be carefully reviewed with reference to the timely completion of coursework and non-course degree requirements, the quality of the work and research in progress and the student’s overall academic performance in the program. Satisfactory academic progress in a program also involves maintaining the professional and departmental standards expected in a particular discipline or program. 

Federal regulations require that a student receiving federal assistance make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with standards set by the university. Any student who passes their annual academic review within their program is allowed to enroll for the following year and is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress and is eligible for financial aid from federal sources.

Academic insufficiency or failure to make suitable progress toward the degree may result in withdrawal from the program. Brandeis University reserves the right to deny permission to register or require the withdrawal of any student at any time for any reason it considers sufficient, including but not limited to character and personal conduct.

Degrees are granted on the evidence of intellectual growth and development, rather than solely on the basis of formal course credits. Fulfillment of the minimum requirements cannot, therefore, be regarded as the sole requisite for degrees.

C. Postbaccalaureate Students

A postbaccalaureate student is a student who holds a bachelor's degree and is working in an approved course of study in one of the following areas: mathematics or studio art.

Residency Requirement: typically, 2 semesters. Please consult your program section in this Bulletin for specifics.

Postbaccalaureate programs may not be pursued concurrently with other formal degree work. Students who subsequently become candidates for graduate degrees are subject to the Graduate School's policy regarding transfer credit toward graduate degrees.

D. Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Education

Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Education

Residency Requirement

The minimum residence requirement for most full-time master's degree students is one academic year. A few programs have a 1.5 or two-year residency requirement, so consult specific programs for this information. Master’s degree students may take an additional one or two semesters as an extended master's student to complete degree requirements. Transfer credit may not normally be applied to residence requirements for the MA and MS degrees.

Time-to-Degree 

The master's degree must be earned within three years from the inception of full-time graduate study at Brandeis.

Required Exams and Language Proficiency

Programs offering master's degrees may require that the candidate demonstrate a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language and pass a general or qualifying examination which, at the program's discretion, may be in one or more parts and may be written, oral or both.

Master's Thesis Requirement

Students entering graduate programs with a master's thesis requirement must electronically deposit their thesis to ProQuest ETD. For instructions on how to do this, visit the Thesis and Dissertation Guide. 

Master of Fine Arts

Residency Requirement

The minimum residence requirement for all MFA students in music is two academic years. Transfer credit may not normally be applied to residence requirements for the MFA degree.

Time-to-Degree

 The Master of Fine Arts degree must be earned within three years from the inception of full-time graduate study at Brandeis.

Master’s Thesis Requirement

Students entering graduate programs with a master's thesis requirement must electronically deposit their thesis to ProQuest ETD.  For instructions on how to do this, visit the Thesis and Dissertation Guide.

E. Doctor of Philosophy

To be eligible for the PhD degree, the student must (1) complete all course, residence and teaching requirements, (2) pass all language and qualifying examinations, (3) have written and successfully defended the doctoral dissertation and (4) be otherwise in good standing. Each program reserves the right to require prospective candidates for the degree to perform work in excess of its minimum standards to assure thorough mastery of the area. 

Residency Requirement

The in-person residence requirement for all students is three academic years. A maximum of one year's approved transfer credit may be granted toward residence for the PhD degree. 

Time-to-Degree

The Doctor of Philosophy must be earned within eight years from the inception of full-time graduate study at Brandeis. Leaves of Absence and Health Leaves of Absence stop the time-to-degree clock. Students may apply for a year-long extension of their time-to-degree, for a maximum of two extensions. Each semester the Graduate School will initiate the extension application process for students who are approaching the end of their time-to-degree clock. If a student does not complete the degree within ten years from the inception of full-time graduate study, they will be withdrawn from the PhD program.

In recognition of the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and the myriad research and health disruptions of our doctoral students' progress, GSAS will grant an extension of time to degree for any doctoral student who was enrolled during the Spring 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, thereby extending their time-to-degree from eight to nine years. For students who matriculated in Summer 2021 and going forward, the time-to-degree policy returns to eight years.

Required Language Proficiency 

Prospective candidates may be required to demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language.

Required Examinations

In all areas of study, the student must satisfactorily pass a general or qualifying examination, which at the program's discretion, may be in one or more parts and may be written, oral or both.

Teaching Assistantship or Teaching Fellow Requirements

Each student will have the opportunity to develop skills as a teacher through close supervision of progressive pedagogic experiences by assisting or teaching one or more courses, as appropriate. Typically, PhD programs require 2-6 TAships for each student. Some programs will require more than 6 semesters of TAships or will allow an internship to substitute for 1 required TAship–see your program handbook for details. Some programs have Teaching Fellow (instructor of record) requirements–see your program handbook for details.

Students serving as Teaching Assistants or Teaching Fellows are required to participate in several trainings, including training about their responsible reporter roles under Title IX and other university policies about discrimination and harassment, offered by the Office of Equal Opportunity. 

Dissertation 

In all areas of study, prospective candidates must write a doctoral dissertation and defend it in a final oral examination. PhD programs define and determine the parameters for the content of the dissertation; GSAS determines the formatting and publishing requirements for all dissertations in the school.

Dissertation Committee Membership

1. All dissertation committees should have at least three faculty members.
2. The student's principal advisor, who will guide the research and the preparation of the dissertation, will be a dissertation committee chair. Individual departments may opt to allow co-chairs.
3. Two of the committee members must come from the student’s own department or program (one of the two should be a committee chair).
4. At least one of the committee members must be tenured. This member does not need to be a chair.
5. At least one of the committee members must come from another department or from outside the university.
6. An emeritus faculty member at Brandeis may serve as one of the committee members from the student’s own department or, if this faculty member is emeritus in another department, the faculty member may serve as the outside reader. After retirement, an emeritus faculty member may serve on committees but not take on new chairships. They will not receive payment for this.
7. Should an inside reader, already committed to a dissertation reading committee, leave Brandeis for an appointment at another institution, this faculty member may be given a courtesy appointment in the department at Brandeis so that they may continue to serve on the committee as an advisor. However, this faculty member with a courtesy appointment cannot serve as the dissertation chair as a chair must be a current member of the faculty in the student’s department.
8. Normally, all members of the committee must hold a PhD degree, although the program chair, with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, may waive the requirement when a potential committee member has demonstrated a capacity to do research or be helpful in supervising a dissertation. To request an exception to these requirements, the program should contact the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for the Graduate School, who will then bring the request to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Dissertation Defense

Dissertation defenses are required to be public and open to any member of the faculty engaged in graduate instruction and invited faculty members from other institutions. Students must submit the date and time of their defense to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences’ Dissertation Defense Calendar Submission Form at least two weeks prior to the scheduled defense. A student must be registered and enrolled in the term(s) in which the dissertation is defended and deposited. The student and the dissertation committee can determine the modality of the defense (in-person, hybrid, remote). GSAS does not have specific rules about how far in advance of the defense the final copy of the dissertation must be submitted to the committee, department faculty, or GSAS faculty and staff.

Dissertation Revisions

A dissertation committee can conclude the oral examination by:

1. Passing the dissertation with no revisions
2. Passing the dissertation with minor revisions
3. Requiring substantial revisions

If the dissertation examining committee requires "substantial revisions" (involving significant matters of substance), the revisions must be reviewed and accepted by the entire committee, not just the dissertation supervisor. If these revisions are not made within six months of the dissertation defense, there must be a re-defense of the dissertation. If the dissertation examining committee requires "minor revisions" (e.g., stylistic changes, correction of typographical errors and re-formatting), the committee will indicate on the Defense Form whether the revisions may be reviewed and approved by the dissertation committee chair alone or require the full committee's approval. If these revisions are not made within three months of the dissertation defense, the dissertation is automatically reclassified as one requiring "substantial revisions" and subject to its six-month deadline (i.e., if after an additional three months the dissertation has not been approved by the committee and successfully deposited, there must be a re-defense).

Dissertation Submission and Publication

For information about the dissertation submission process, visit the Thesis and Dissertation Guide. No later than the dates specified for dissertation deposit in the current academic calendar for February, May, and August degrees, the candidate must electronically deposit one copy of the finished dissertation. The dissertation must have the signed approval of the dissertation supervisor and readers, and it must comply with the publishing and formatting guidelines outlined by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, which may be different from department guidelines. Submission of the dissertation to and acceptance by the Graduate School constitutes the completion of degree requirements.

Submitted dissertations are published electronically in the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Database. In addition to publication in ProQuest, students’ dissertations are published in the Brandeis ScholarWorks once degrees are conferred. Dissertations published in ScholarWorks will be made available to the academic community through Open Access.

Detailed instructions for submitting dissertations are available from the Graduate School office or GSAS website under the Students section.

F. Joint Degrees

Joint degree programs allow students to pursue two courses of study and earn a single degree. 

Consult the relevant sections of this Bulletin regarding the requirements for the joint degree programs. 

The time to degree parameters for joint degrees remain the same—no additional time is granted for a student undertaking a joint degree course of study.

G. Dual Degrees

Dual degree programs allow students to pursue two courses of study and earn two separate degrees.

Consult the relevant sections of this Bulletin regarding the requirements for the dual degree programs.

The time to degree parameters for dual degrees remain the same—no additional time is granted for a student undertaking a dual degree course of study.

H. Degrees in Passing

Students enrolled in a PhD program are allowed to apply for a master's degree within that program if they have satisfied all the requirements for the particular master's degree and if that program allows for a master’s in passing. Students are limited to only one master's degree in passing. A thesis may be required for the master’s in passing. Students should check with their department for requirements. Students may not apply for a master's degree in passing if they already hold a master's degree from the university, unless there is no overlap (double counting) in the terms used to fulfill the in-person residency requirements for the two degrees. If a student leaves a PhD program, they can request a terminal master’s degree if they have fulfilled all the requirements for the particular master’s degree.

 

A. Registration

Every student, whether or not currently in residence, whether attending regular courses of study, carrying on research or independent reading, writing a thesis or dissertation or utilizing any academic service or facility of the university, must register at the beginning of each term.  

Students enrolled in full-time degree programs are required to enroll in and maintain a minimum academic load of 12 credits per semester. The maximum credit load is 20 credits per semester. If there is a justifiable reason for a student to enroll in more than 20 credits, they must contact GSAS Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for permission.

B. Special Notes for Registration in Undergraduate Courses

Humanities

Any graduate student who is taking an undergraduate course for credit towards his or her or their graduate degree will be required to do additional work in that course, such as attending graduate sections with the instructor and other graduate students, doing additional readings and research, completing additional writing assignments during the semester (including, but not limited to, a longer final paper), delivering a series of short presentations or a conference-level presentation on course material, and/or preparing a pedagogical presentation on some aspect of the course.

Social Sciences

Any graduate student who is taking an undergraduate course for credit towards their graduate degree will be required to do additional work in that course such as attending extra sections with the instructor and other graduate students, doing additional reading, writing a longer final paper (minimum 20 pages) and / or doing an oral presentation about some aspect of the course material to the class.

Sciences

Any graduate student who is taking a 100-level course for credit towards their graduate degree will be required to do additional work in that course. This work might include but is not limited to:  participating in extra sections with the instructor and other graduate students, doing additional reading and completing extra assignments.

C. Program of Study

Credit will not be given for undergraduate courses taken to make up deficiencies in the student's preparation for a program of graduate studies. Ordinarily a student may not receive credit toward completion of degree or residence requirements for courses undertaken to aid in the completion of language requirements. Graduate students may not receive credit towards fulfillment of their graduate program for an undergraduate course (numbered below 100) unless the Petition to Receive Graduate Credit form has been filed with the Registrar's office.

D. Auditing Courses

The privilege of auditing courses without fee is extended to all regularly enrolled, full-time graduate students. Part-time degree students and non-degree special students may audit a course but will be charged the same rate as a course taken for credit. No courses may be audited without the permission of the instructor and the student's program chair. Auditors may not take examinations or expect evaluation from the instructor. No credit is given for an audited course.

The option of auditing courses is not available during the summer term. 

E. Attendance

All students are expected to attend classes regularly. In addition, an individual faculty member may establish attendance requirements for all students in the course, and may insist on the completion of all assignments even if a student was not in attendance for the period.

In rare circumstances, a student may have to miss more than a week of class due to serious illness or to family emergencies. In these cases, a student should be in immediate contact with their program advisor to discuss what options may be available. Because class participation and peer learning are important aspects of the Brandeis educational experience, students who miss more than two weeks of class ordinarily withdraw or take a leave of absence from the semester.

F. Examinations and Exam Absences

A detailed final examination schedule of all final examinations administered by the Office of the University Registrar is published each semester around the mid-term period.

Final examinations administered by the Office of the University Registrar must be given during the scheduled final examination period and may not be taken by any student prior to the scheduled time.

Students and faculty should confirm the date and time of final examinations, once the detailed schedule is published, prior to making any travel arrangements.

Cases involving absence are referred to the chair of the program who will decide whether a make-up examination shall be allowed and will notify the Office of the University Registrar of the decision. The examination must be taken no later than the make-up examination period at the beginning of the next semester.

G. Grades and Course Standards

GSAS strongly recommends that all students receive letter grades in their courses. In readings or research courses, if a letter grade cannot be given at the end of each term or academic year, credit (CR) or no credit (NC) may be used.

NC and any letter grade below B- are unsatisfactory grades in the Graduate School. A course in which the student receives an unsatisfactory grade will not be counted toward graduate credit. Programs may set higher grade thresholds (B+ or A-) for courses that count towards the degree. Please refer to your program’s Bulletin section for more details.

Final grades are available to students through the registration system upon posting by the University Registrar after the end of each semester.

H. Incompletes 

A graduate student who has not completed the work (exams, papers, etc.) for any course may receive an EI (incomplete) or a failing grade at the discretion of the course instructor. A student who receives an EI must satisfactorily complete the work of the course in which the incomplete was given in order to receive credit for the course and a letter grade. The deadline is identified as the day on which all work for the previous term’s incompletes is due to the instructor. In exceptional circumstances, an instructor may request an extension of the deadline from the University Registrar.

An EI that is not resolved by the deadline in the Academic Calendar will automatically become a permanent incomplete (recorded as "I" on the transcript). A student cannot carry more than three EIs at a time. 

I. Academic Standing and Satisfactory Academic Progress

Programs review academic records annually or every semester if the program length is less than two years. Directors of Graduate Study will make these determinations in consultation with Department / Program faculty in a way that ensures consistency across students. Programs will submit their recommendations for each student’s academic standing to the Graduate School at the completion of the annual or semester review.

In order to be in good academic standing, students must be making satisfactory academic progress by meeting the following standards:

1. All grades in classes that count towards the degree are a B- or above (or the program’s threshold for advancing in the curriculum, if higher than a B-).  If classes in a program are credit/no credit, the student must have received credit for all classes that count towards the degree.
2. The student has no unresolved Excused Incompletes (EIs) past the published deadline from the Registrar’s office for the terms in the current or prior academic year. Final incompletes (I) cannot count towards the degree. 
3. The student is completing non-course milestones (i.e., comprehensive exams, language requirements, prospectus defense, etc.) on the program’s typical timeline. 

If a student is not making satisfactory academic progress, the program will recommend to the Graduate School that the student be placed on advising alert. Advising alert is still considered good academic standing, but it signals that there are emerging concerns about the student’s ability to remain in good academic standing for the next review period. The purpose of advising alert is to facilitate proactive academic supports and strategies for the student and to ensure that the program and the Graduate School are working together to support the student’s success.

The Graduate School will automatically place PhD students who are on extension of their time-to-degree into the advising alert category. The Graduate School will also automatically place master’s students into advising alert if they are requesting a third Extended Master’s semester.

Federal regulations require that a student receiving federal assistance make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with standards set by the university. Any student who passes their annual academic review within their program is allowed to enroll for the following year and is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress and is eligible for financial aid from federal sources.

J. Transfer Credit

Transfer credit may not normally be applied towards master’s degrees (aside from internal transfer credit from one program to another). If a particular student has special circumstances, they and their program can make an appeal to the Dean of GSAS.

Programs can make their own decisions about when to grant transfer credit to PhD students. GSAS recommends granting no more than sixteen credits of transfer credit (the equivalent of a year of in-person residency) and making the decision about granting this credit six months to a year into the student’s time in the program.

K. Graduate Cross-Registration

Babson College, Bentley University, Boston College, Boston University, Tufts University, the Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies at MIT and Regis College participate in our cross-registration consortium. A full-time graduate student in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences may enroll in one graduate cross-registered course each term.

A Brandeis student who wishes to enroll in a course at one of these schools should consult with the instructor in the particular course and should expect to satisfy the prerequisites and requirements normally required for admission to the course, including adherence to the academic calendar of that course. The transfer of credit to Brandeis for work done elsewhere requires approval by the student’s program, the registrar and the Graduate School. A grade of B- or better is also required.

Any part-time graduate student in a degree program is allowed to participate in cross-registration. Students may only take one cross-registration course a semester, and are required to take at least one full-semester Brandeis course in addition to the cross-registered course. Students may only enroll in one cross-registration course per semester of in-person residency.

Due to differences in academic calendars among the colleges in the consortium, it is not advisable for degree candidates to enroll in a cross-registered course in their final semester.

A course may also be taken without the expectation that credit will transfer because it complements a student’s program, is taught by outstanding faculty at the host institution or will advance a student’s graduate studies in some other way. 

To enroll in a graduate course at one of the host institutions, obtain a cross registration petition from the Brandeis Registrar's office and present this petition to the Office of the University Registrar of the host institution.

L. Fellowships and Scholarships

Pausing PhD Funding for Outside Funding

Any PhD student outside of the Division of Science who receives an external fellowship can put their GSAS funding on hold for up to a year to accept the fellowship. This policy would not reduce the total amount of funding a student receives from GSAS. Students whose stipends are paid from faculty grants are not covered by this policy.

PhD students who are awarded fellowships that are external to Brandeis are still eligible to receive:

• a full scholarship for the amount of their tuition during the semesters in which they are receiving these external funds. Students who have been awarded an external fellowship should contact the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and the Associate Director of Operations, Administration, and Budget regarding the tuition scholarship.
• university-funded health insurance. Please note that students receiving external fellowships will still need to waive or enroll in the student health insurance plan; they will continue to receive university-funded health insurance when their GSAS funding resumes (i.e., students who receive an external fellowship may receive an extra year of university-funded health insurance under this policy).

M. Full-Time and Part-Time 

Full-Time

A full-time student is enrolled in at least 12 credits per term.

A full-time program may include a combination of teaching and research assistance; other work leading to the fulfillment of degree requirements, such as preparation for qualifying, comprehensive and final examinations; supervised reading and research; and PhD dissertations, as well as regular course work. On-campus employment (any combination of instructional, research or administrative duties) is limited to twenty hours per week.

A full-time student may take up to 20 credits per term, but no student may receive credit for, or be charged for, more than a full-time program in any term, except by petition to their program. Thus, the minimum in-person residence requirement for any degree may not be satisfied by an accelerated program of study or payment of more than the full-time tuition rate in any single academic year.

Part-Time 

Some programs allow students to apply as part-time students at the time of admission. A part-time student is enrolled in fewer than 12 credits. Students enrolled in a part-time master’s program (fewer than 12 credits per semester) have an in-person residency requirement that is equivalent to the full time version of the program, fulfilled once they have paid the equivalent of the tuition cost of the full time version of the program.

Students who wish to change their status from full-time to part-time residency must contact the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs to make that request. Students are assumed to be full-time until such a request is made. However, moving from full-time to part-time status can have significant loan or immigration status implications, so students should consult with the appropriate financial aid staff and the ISSO before requesting this change.

N. Summer Term and Courses

Some programs require summer registration. Consult the appropriate program sections of this Bulletin for details.

O. Special Students

Properly qualified applicants who wish to audit or to take courses without working towards a degree may be admitted. Special students are normally not eligible for university loans, scholarships, fellowships, or teaching or research assistantships. Special students must have earned an undergraduate degree, conferred from an accredited university, prior to submitting an application.

Special students who later wish to pursue a degree on a full- or part-time basis must apply for admission as resident students. They must also file a special petition with their academic department if they wish to receive credit for any courses taken while a special student and have it apply to their graduate program. Normally, no more than two courses taken for credit may be transferable if the student is admitted to either the master's or doctoral program.

Students must apply as a special student for each semester in which they wish to take a class.

P. Leaves of Absence 

Personal leaves of absence up to one year will normally be granted to students in good academic standing who present compelling personal reasons. Students can also take a Health Leave of Absence. Returns from leave may be subject to conditions established at the inception of the leave. A student who has been granted a leave of absence is not considered an active student during the leave. Time spent on authorized leaves of absence will not be counted toward the maximum time permitted to complete degree requirements. If, for any reason, a student must extend a leave of absence, they must request such an extension in writing before the leave of absence expires. Failure to do so will result in involuntary withdrawal from the Graduate School. Students who extend their leaves of absence beyond one year may lose departmental funding.

Health Leave of Absence:

Brandeis students may request a voluntary Health Leave of Absence (HLOA) for personal health reasons. A HLOA is intended to give students the freedom to attend to their health and well-being, away from the rigors of the University, so they can later return to campus and be successful in their academic and co-curricular pursuits. HLOAs are coordinated by the appropriate graduate school and the Office of Graduate Affairs. When an individual student’s physical and/or mental health significantly impacts their ability to function successfully or safely as a student, a Health Leave of Absence is recommended. The time away during a HLOA does not count towards total time to degree.

International Students

If you wish to remain in the U.S. for medical treatment during your leave of absence, please reach out to the ISSO for guidance. You can be authorized for a Reduced Course Load (carrying no credits) for up to 12 months while maintaining your F-1 status. You must provide medical documentation issued within the past 30 days from your licensed professional who is practicing in the United States, and holds one of the following credentials: medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), or licensed clinical psychologist (LCP). The documentation is usually in the form of a letter and should recommend that you carry no credits as you pursue medical treatment. Please note you must be authorized for a Reduced Course Load in SEVIS prior to your withdrawal from your classes. A student who drops below a full course of study without the prior approval will be considered out of status.

Eligibility

This policy applies to graduate students at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, and the International Business School. This policy does not apply to graduate students within the Rabb School of Continuing Studies. If a full-time Rabb student needs time away from their program, they should contact their Student Advisor for assistance with program completion options. 

The amount of time students take for a HLOA will vary depending on the particular circumstances (such as the nature of the situation, treatment recommendations, and time needed to successfully return to an intensive academic environment). Students are encouraged to take sufficient time to address their health-related concerns before petitioning for re-enrollment.

If students are taking a HLOA during an active semester, they will be withdrawn from their classes. For information on how this impacts tuition, please visit Student Financial Services.

Before Taking a Health Leave of Absence

It is essential that each student review their current health insurance coverage. If the student is covered by Brandeis insurance, the student should contact the University Health Plan office (1- 800-437-6448) to discuss their leave. Otherwise they should contact the insurance provider under which they are covered. Students who have been enrolled in an academic program longer than the first 30 days of a semester are automatically covered (assuming coverage was not previously waived) by the Brandeis University Student Health Insurance Plan (www.universityhealthplans.com) when they convert to HLOA status for the remainder of the plan year. Students who are covered by a family’s employer plan when they convert to HLOA status may need to apply for continuation of coverage (COBRA) with the family’s plan. Enrollment in COBRA is time sensitive. Each insurance plan may be different, so a consultation with your insurance provider before taking a leave is essential.

Request to Begin a Health Leave of Absence

Specific steps should be followed in order for a student to both obtain a HLOA and to return from one. That said, the following procedures provide for an individualized approach for assessing a student’s eligibility to take and return from a HLOA and are designed to be reasonable and flexible.

1. Initiate the process by consulting with the appropriate assistant/associate dean of student/academic affairs at their graduate school regarding their request to take a HLOA.

• In this meeting, the assistant/associate dean will review the HLOA process, any impacts on their program, and advise them on any others with whom they may need to meet, depending on their specific circumstances.
• Discussion will also include the return process and date for initiating the return (the time frame can be adjusted as needed). If the student wants to extend their HLOA beyond what was already approved, they need to let the school know at least six weeks before the leave is anticipated to end, communicating in writing with the appropriate assistant/associate dean of student/academic affairs.

2. Then the student should officially apply for a HLOA through Workday.

• If the student is unable to apply through Workday, they should be in touch with their assistant/associate dean to apply in Workday on their behalf.

3. The student’s request must be accompanied by a letter from a licensed health care provider who is familiar with the student’s condition. Acceptable sources include, but are not limited to, the student’s primary care physician, hospital-based physicians and clinicians, Brandeis’ Health Center or Counseling Center’s clinical staff, and private licensed clinicians. The letter must include descriptions of the following:

• Diagnosis
• History of the diagnosis (date diagnosed, treatment/management up to current date, etc.)
• Detailed description of the diagnosis’ current impact on this student relative to participating in an academically rigorous educational setting and a clear recommendation that the student cannot continue their academic program because of the physical and/or mental health condition
• A recommended treatment plan
• An estimate regarding the time period for a HLOA

4. The Brandeis Health or Counseling Center’s staff reviews the documentation to determine it meets the above requirements, and makes a recommendation to the relevant graduate school’s assistant/associate dean of in their graduate school.

5. The graduate school then makes the final decision regarding whether to approve or deny the HLOA and notifies the student in writing as to the decision.

Once a student has applied for a HLOA and has submitted all appropriate supporting documentation, Brandeis strives to notify the student of a decision within seven to ten business days. The recommended length of the leave will be determined individually, based on each student’s particular situation, as the goal of taking a HLOA is to ensure that the student can later return to campus and be successful in their academic and co-curricular pursuits. If the HLOA is approved, the appropriate graduate school will enact the change of standing.

Graduate student responsibilities:

• The student understands that unless they return or replace any borrowed University Library materials, they will be charged for them.
• If the student has federal and/or institutional loans, they will complete Student Loan Exit Counseling with Student Financial Services (Questions? sfs@brandeis.edu, 781-736-3700).
• If the student is an international student, they will meet with an ISSO advisor and complete the ISSO Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Acknowledgement Form (Questions? isso@brandeis.edu, 781- 736-3480).
• If the student has taken excused absences (EA) or excused incompletes (EI), they will complete all the incomplete work by the end of the semester in which they are expected to return.
• The student understands that taking a health leave does not forestall any ongoing academic review the program may be conducting.
• The student is not eligible to transfer courses or credits taken at other institutions while on a withdrawal or leave of absence status. 
• The student cannot audit courses at Brandeis, conduct or participate in research at Brandeis, or hold a student employee position at Brandeis while on leave.
• If the student is currently maintaining F-1 or J-1 status sponsored by Brandeis, they understand that they must notify the ISSO of their plans to take a leave of absence.

Petitioning to Return

1. The student must contact the assistant/associate dean within their graduate school to petition to return to Brandeis. Goals for a return date should have been discussed in the initial conversation before taking HLOA. The student will review all the necessary steps and documents and will be in touch with their advisor with any questions. The student will then proceed with the return process in Workday.

• If the student wants to extend their HLOA beyond what was already approved, they need to let the school know at least six weeks before the leave is anticipated to end, communicating in writing with the appropriate assistant/associate dean in their graduate school.

2. The student must submit all medical documentation and any other necessary materials by July 1 for a fall semester return or by October 15 for a spring semester return. If Brandeis requires more information, we will reach out to you and all further materials must be submitted by August 1 for a fall semester return and November 15 for a spring semester return. The Workday process will include a secure link to Box for the student to upload their medical documentation. 

3. Medical documentation from (an) appropriate treatment provider(s) must include the following information: 

• Diagnosis and verification of treatment
• Documentation of current clinical status 
• Detailed description of the diagnosis’ current impact on this student relative to participating in an academically rigorous educational setting and a clear recommendation for return or not return. For the purposes of this policy, an “academically rigorous educational setting” refers to one in which regular class attendance is required; students complete academic coursework and assignments on time and to a minimum B- standard, which is typically the lowest passing grade in the graduate schools at Brandeis University; students complete a combination of teaching and research in addition to other degree requirements, such as preparation for qualifying, comprehensive and final examinations; and  laboratory research that may include specific chemical classes, physical hazards, or equipment hazards (as applicable). Policies or practices of the student’s School related to academic progress and standards may also be considered in determining readiness to return. 
• Effects of any current medication or medical equipment on the educational setting and the student's ability to learn.
• Academic accommodations recommended by the licensed health care professional.

4. The student understands this will be reviewed by the appropriate staff within the Health Center and/or the Brandeis Counseling Center, who may ask to speak directly to the student’s healthcare provider(s), in which case the student will provide a release to do so. The relevant health staff will consult with the return from the health leave committee, which will make a recommendation to the student’s school.

5. If the student would like to return to Brandeis in F-1 or J-1 status sponsored by Brandeis in the future, the student understands that prior to doing so, they must notify the ISSO to request a new I-20 or DS 2019.

6. The student understands that each petition to return is considered on its individual merits.

Personal Leave of Absence:

 Brandeis recognizes that during the course of their graduate study, a student may request a Leave of Absence (LOA) for personal reasons. A LOA is an agreement regarding a separation between the student and the University for a period of time, usually one semester or one year. The time away during a personal leave does not count towards total time to degree. Students must complete the official request for a personal leave at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester. LOAs are coordinated by the appropriate graduate school and the Office of Graduate Affairs.

International Students

Except in the case of a health leave of absence, students in F-1 and J-1 status who wish to maintain that status must always enroll in 12 or more credits, with the exception of their final semester. Please contact the ISSO if you are contemplating a leave of absence that is either personal or related to a health leave.

Eligibility

This policy applies to graduate students from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, and the International Business School. This policy does not apply to graduate students within the Rabb School of Continuing Studies. If a full-time Rabb student needs time away from their program, they should contact their Student Advisor for assistance with program completion options.

Before Taking a Personal Leave of Absence

It is essential that each student review their current health insurance coverage. If the student is covered by Brandeis insurance, the student should contact the University Health Plan office (1- 800-437-6448) to discuss their leave. Otherwise they should contact the insurance provider under which they are covered. Students who have been enrolled longer than the first 30 days of a semester are automatically covered (assuming coverage was not previously waived) by the Brandeis University Student Health Insurance Plan (www.universityhealthplans.com) when they convert to a personal leave status for the remainder of the plan year. Students who are covered by a family’s employer plan when they convert to a personal leave status may need to apply for continuation of coverage (COBRA) with the family’s plan. Enrollment in COBRA is time sensitive. Each insurance plan may be different, so a consultation with your insurance provider is essential.

Request to Begin a Personal Leave of Absence

Specific steps need to be followed in order for a student to both obtain a LOA and to return from one. Since the deadline to officially take a personal leave is two weeks prior to the start of the semester, the student should initiate the process earlier than this by consulting with their faculty advisor or director of graduate studies and/or informing the appropriate assistant/associate dean of student/academic affairs at their graduate school of their request to take a leave of absence. This meeting will review the process and impacts on their program and advise them on any others with whom they may need to meet. The student must officially apply for a LOA through Workday at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester. Extenuating circumstances that necessitate a personal leave during an active semester will be reviewed on a case by case basis, and in these cases, students will be withdrawn from their classes. For information on how this impacts tuition, please visit Student Financial Services.

Graduate student responsibilities:

• You understand that unless you return or replace any borrowed University Library materials, you will be charged for them.
• If you have federal and/or institutional loans, you will complete Student Loan Exit Counseling with Student Financial Services (Questions? sfs@brandeis.edu, 781-736-3700).
• If you are an international student, you will meet with an ISSO advisor and complete the ISSO Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Acknowledgement Form (Questions? isso@brandeis.edu, 781-736-3480).
• If you have taken excused absences (EA) or excused incompletes (EI), you must finish all work by agreed-upon deadlines with your faculty.
• You understand that taking a personal leave does not forestall any ongoing academic review your program may be conducting.
• You are not eligible to transfer courses or credits taken at other institutions while on a withdrawal or leave of absence status.
• You cannot audit courses at Brandeis, conduct or participate in research at Brandeis, or hold a student employee position at Brandeis while on leave.
• If you are currently maintaining F-1 or J-1 status sponsored by Brandeis, you understand that you must notify the ISSO of your plans to take a leave of absence.

Petitioning to Return

• You must contact your graduate school to petition to return to Brandeis: by July 15 for a fall semester return or by October 31 for a spring semester return. You will review all the necessary steps and documents and will be in touch with your advisor with any questions.
• Students in good academic standing may need to finish incompletes while on leave in order to return.
• If you would like to return to Brandeis in F-1 or J-1 status sponsored by Brandeis in the future, you understand that prior to doing so, you must notify the ISSO to request a new I-20 or DS 2019.
• You understand that each petition to return is considered on its individual merits.
   
  

Brandeis Pregnancy Accommodation and Parental Relief:

Pregnancy Accommodation:

Brandeis University is committed to supporting pregnant and parenting students. The University acknowledges that pregnancy, breastfeeding, lactation, and parental status are protected under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., and other applicable state and federal laws. Under this Policy, there are different stages of pregnancy during which the University can provide support and accommodations.

Accommodations During Pregnancy

While a student is pregnant, they may require certain accommodations to allow them to continue to participate in University programs and activities. These accommodations relate to medical needs or complications associated with the pregnancy. Pregnant students can request these accommodations through Student Accessibility Support (SAS) (access@brandeis.edu 781-736-3470). There are different types of accommodations available depending on the needs of the individual, including but not limited to those related to academics[1], housing, transportation, parking, and dietary needs. More information on the process for requesting an accommodation can be found on the SAS website.

As with disability accommodations, information about pregnant students’ requests for accommodations will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary in order to provide the reasonable accommodation. Faculty and staff will regard all information associated with such requests as confidential and not to be shared.

Recovery

Students are entitled to excused absences relating to pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, and/or recovery, for the amount of time deemed medically necessary by their provider. Students will need to provide medical documentation from their medical care providers outlining the amount of time needed for recovery. All medical documentation regarding the pregnancy should go to SAS. Graduate students can work with the Office of Graduate Affairs (graduateaffairs@brandeis.edu 781-736-3546), who will help to coordinate the student’s absences with the appropriate departments on campus. Undergraduate students should work with their academic advisors.

After taking approved absences due to pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage and/or recovery, students will be allowed to return to their program at Brandeis in the same academic status they held before the leave began. To the extent possible, students will be given the opportunity to make up any work they missed while they were on leave. If a class grade is based on attendance, students will not be penalized for their approved absence. However, depending on the length of the absence and timing in the academic year, in some cases it may not be feasible to complete certain classes. In that situation, a student may need to withdraw from a course or take a leave of absence, but will be reinstated to the status they held before the leave and will be allowed to continue in their program without penalty. What adjustments might be appropriate will vary based on the student's needs and the fundamental requirement of the program and coursework in question. International students should work with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) (isso@brandeis.edu 781-736-3480) to address any visa concerns that may arise in relation to a leave of absence or otherwise taking time away from the University.

Accommodations for Nursing Students

Brandeis is committed to supporting students surrounding their needs in regards to nursing and lactation. Students should work with their program or instructors to find mutually convenient times for them to nurse or pump. Students must be given adequate, excused breaks as necessary and should not be penalized for the need to take time away. Generally a person who is lactating will need two to three breaks during the day, for a period of up to 30 minutes, to express milk. Under certain circumstances, a student may need to provide a doctor’s note if it is medically necessary to pump on a certain schedule.

Nursing students have the right to breastfeed in any public or private location where they are otherwise allowed to be. To support members of our community in regards to lactation, the University provides the private lactation spaces listed below. Additionally, departments can create ad hoc lactation spaces as necessary to support those in their community. Ad hoc spaces can be an office or other space temporarily utilized for the purposes of pumping or breastfeeding. The minimum requirements for lactation rooms (ad hoc or permanent) include having a private space with a door that locks, that has an electrical outlet, good lighting and ventilation, with a comfortable chair and a counter or table. There also should be access to a sink and a refrigerator either inside the space or nearby. Bathrooms are not appropriate lactation spaces.

The following campus locations are dedicated lactation rooms. Individuals must bring their own breast pumps; all rooms have refrigeration, electrical outlets and microwaves for sterilization. Most have sinks nearby.

• Goldfarb Library Room 69-41A
  • This room is kept locked. To access the room a key can be checked out at the library’s information desk with your Brandeis ID. For reservations, please check the specific Google calendar for the space and book an available time or contact library-lactation@brandeis.edu. You may need to ask for directions after obtaining the key as the room is a little tricky to find. The room can accommodate two individuals at one time. The key should be returned to the information desk after use. The room is equipped with a refrigerator and microwave (for sterilization) with a sink nearby.
• Leo Gerstenzang Library of Science Room 128
  • This room is kept locked. To access the room, contact graduateaffairs@brandeis.edu. The room is located in the science complex through the Student Lounge area and through room 127 accessible with your ID card. Walk through the quiet study area and you will see room 128 on your right. This room can accommodate three people at one time. Kitchen area is next door with access to a refrigerator, microwave (for sterilization) and sink.
• Rabb Graduate Center Room 118
  • This room is kept locked. To access the room a key can be checked out with reservations by contacting pannella@brandeis.edu in the English department. The room is equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave (for sterilization) and numerous electrical outlets with a sink nearby.

Reporting Concerns

Discrimination against any member of the Brandeis community who is or who is perceived to be pregnant, recovering from childbirth, or nursing is prohibited under Brandeis’ Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment & Sexual Violence. Anyone with concerns regarding discrimination should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity (oeo@brandeis.edu 781-736-4806). Negative comments related to pregnancy, childbirth recovery, breastfeeding, lactation, or parental status may constitute illegal sex discrimination or harassment. Retaliation against anyone exercising their rights under this policy is prohibited.

Students with concerns about an accommodation request that was denied or an approved accommodation that was not properly implemented can file a grievance with the Office of Equal Opportunity (oeo@brandeis.edu 781-736-4806). For more information, please refer to the Accommodations Grievance Process.

[1] Some examples may include: breaks during class, as needed; rescheduling tests or exams; excusing absences; and developing a plan for making up missed assignments.

Graduate Student Parental Relief:

 To assist full-time graduate students in balancing academic, teaching, and research responsibilities with parenting demands, Brandeis University provides eligible graduate students with support in the form of Parental Relief immediately after their child’s birth, adoption, or placement in foster care (for a child up to the age of six). Parental Relief permits students to maintain full-time status–along with the same level of guaranteed funding and other benefits–with reasonable adjustments to deadlines, completion of course assignments, examinations, and other academic, research, and teaching requirements for up to eight consecutive weeks.

International students

Before taking Parental Relief, international students should consult their ISSO advisor to understand how their specific Parental Relief arrangements may affect their immigration status. Students in F-1 and J-1 status who wish to maintain that status must always enroll in 12 or more credits, with the exception of their final semester. In general, Parental Relief should not impact your immigration status, as long as your program duration remains the same and you do not enroll in fewer than 12 credits; please contact the ISSO for more details.

Eligibility

The Parental Relief Policy applies to full-time, enrolled Brandeis graduate students who are making satisfactory progress toward completion of their degree. The policy covers students who experience a child birth or the adoption or fostering of a child under the age of six for whom the student has parental responsibilities. Students are eligible for a Parental Relief period for up to eight consecutive calendar weeks immediately following the child’s birth, adoption, or placement in foster care. If both parents are students, they each are eligible for this relief time and can take it concurrently. Students who give birth are also eligible for pregnancy- and childbirth-related accommodations in the Pregnancy Accommodation policy, and can take Parental Relief concurrently with any Pregnancy Accommodation.

This policy does not apply to graduate students within the Rabb School of Continuing Studies. If a full-time Rabb student needs time away from their program, they should contact their Student Advisor for assistance with program completion options.

How it Works

During the period of Parental Relief, the student will continue to be enrolled as a full-time student. Because the student remains enrolled full-time and continues to pay tuition, this is not a leave of absence. It is instead a modification of deadlines and academic expectations to support the student’s new parental responsibilities. The student will be able to postpone completion of course assignments, examinations, and other academic requirements. The student and their advisor will tailor the Parental Relief to the student’s individual circumstances and the timing of the student’s academic responsibilities. In the case of an international student, consideration must be given to the fact that any extension of the program may affect their immigration status and so they must speak with their ISSO advisor in advance.

Request to Begin Parental Relief

Specific steps need to be followed in order for a student to be able to utilize Parental Relief. First, the student should initiate the process as early as possible by consulting with the assistant/associate dean at their graduate school, their faculty advisor, or the director of graduate studies to inform them of the student’s desire to utilize Parental Relief. This meeting will review the process and impacts on their program, and advise them on others with whom they may need to meet. The student must officially apply for Parental Relief through Workday.

The student must then consult with their advisor to plan the student’s Parental Relief and how the student will meet academic goals and requirements at the end of the Parental Relief. The student is responsible for ensuring that this consultation takes place, and should also initiate this as early as possible.

Once approved and with a plan in place, the Relief period will begin on the date of birth, adoption, or placement in foster care. The student must notify the Assistant Dean within five days of the child’s birth, adoption, or placement in foster care to start the Parental Relief period.

The student must complete the Relief period within eight consecutive calendar weeks of the birth, fostering or adoption. The student may not divide the time period of Parental Relief for use past this time limit. The total Parental Relief period for each birth or adoption is limited to eight weeks; this time limit does not change in the event of a multiple birth, fostering or adoption.

Following the Parental Relief Period

After the end of the Parental Relief period, students are expected to continue their usual graduate study and progress toward completing their degrees. Faculty are encouraged to remain flexible in their expectations of students who become new parents, so that students can meet the demands of graduate study at the same time that they face new demands in their parental roles. Faculty should turn to their graduate schools for guidance on this flexibility.

Additional Information

Nothing in this policy can or should replace communication and cooperation between student and advisor, and the good-faith efforts of both to support the demands resulting from the birth, fostering or adoption of a child. It is the intent of this policy to reinforce the importance of that cooperation, and to provide support to make flexibility possible.

Because Parental Relief is not a leave, students making use of this policy retain the same level of access to: library privileges (borrowing rights, carrel, and electronic collections); Brandeis UNET and e-mail; meeting with advisors; health services and health insurance; Brandeis’s facilities; as well as eligibility for student loans and conference travel.

Students who receive guaranteed fellowship funding as part of their graduate program will continue to receive the same level of funding during their Parental Relief. If a student’s guaranteed funding includes funds from a source external to Brandeis and the source does not permit payment during Parental Relief, Brandeis will provide the student with the equivalent amount. Funding received during Parental Relief is part of the total funding package for the student and will not be extended past the promised duration of program funding. Students who are scheduled to act as teaching assistants, course assistants, or teaching fellows during Parental Relief will not be responsible for performing those duties and will not be paid the additional stipends they receive when doing so. Responsibility for finding a replacement will rest with the individual graduate schools.

Q. Withdrawal

A student who wishes to withdraw voluntarily from the Graduate School during a semester must do so by following the process outlined on the GSAS website on or before the last day of instruction in the term. Failure to notify the university in writing of a withdrawal may subject the student to loss of eligibility for refunds in accordance with the refund schedule outlined in the "Fees and Expenses" section. Permission to withdraw voluntarily will not be granted if the student has not discharged all financial obligations to the university or has not made financial arrangements satisfactory to the bursar.

Students who are obliged to register and fail to do so by the appropriate deadline or who fail to pay their bill will be administratively withdrawn. They may be allowed to enroll in a subsequent term, but not for the term in which they were withdrawn for failure to register. Belatedly fulfilling financial obligations will not negate the effects of administrative withdrawal.

R. Academic Grievance  

A student who has a concern about an academic decision may utilize this grievance process to seek resolution. An academic grievance is appropriate for academic decisions and milestones like comprehensive or qualifying exam results, language exams, grades in coursework. If you wish to appeal your academic withdrawal, please follow the outlined process. The academic grievance process cannot be used for non-academic issues, including issues of student conduct, harassment, discrimination, or sexual violence, that are being addressed through the Department of Student Rights and Community Standards or the Office of Equal Opportunity.

• Financial Regulations 2024-2025
• Tuition Charges for 2024-2025
• Fees for 2024-2025
• Refund policies

Fellowships and Scholarships

Students receiving financial aid from Brandeis, whether in the form of a fellowship or scholarship, are required to maintain a superior level of academic progress.

A fellowship is an academic award of honor to outstanding students to help them in furthering advanced study, research and training in teaching. A fellowship recipient must pay tuition and fees unless the award includes a scholarship in an amount covering tuition and fees.

A scholarship is an award on grounds of scholarly ability or financial need that will be applied directly to tuition. Full scholarships and partial scholarships are available. Students who receive scholarships are liable for any charges not covered by their award.

All awards are granted and accepted with the understanding that they may be revoked at any time for undesirable conduct or poor academic standing.

A student's tuition scholarship, fellowship and/or stipend are contingent on continued enrollment, as well as the conditions set out annually in this Bulletin, including, but not limited to, satisfactory academic progress. Changes in student status, such as leaves of absence, withdrawal, change of degree program, graduation or similar circumstances, will normally result in the cessation of university stipends and fellowships effective as of the date of any such change in status.

PhD students receiving full stipend funding from Brandeis will be limited to 20 hours per week of employment at Brandeis, including all employment completed as part of their PhD program.

All students contemplating outside employment that would require a significant portion of their time should discuss their intentions with their program adviser.

Research and Course Assistantships

Research and course assistantships are available in several programs. Interested students should speak with their department administrator or chair of the graduate program about the availability of these positions.

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships may be available for master's and postbaccalaureate students, depending on their program of study. Students in eligible programs may apply for need-based scholarships by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a domestic student or the CSS Profile as an international student.

Loans

Federal Direct Stafford Loans are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are enrolled at least half-time in a degree program and who demonstrate need by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 

For additional details, please see Federal Loan information for 2024-2025.