Center for Student Success
Center for Student Success
117 Hubbard Hall
(315) 792-3179
Graduate Student Resources
What We Do
Resources and information for Graduate Students at Utica University.
Office Location
Office of the Provost, DePerno Hall
Resources and information for Graduate Students at Utica University.
Information and Resources
Getting Started in Graduate Studies
Welcome to Utica University! As a new graduate student who has accepted admission to Utica, here is a list of first steps you should take in order to be prepared for the first day of classes and ensure that you are fully enrolled.
Step One
Pay Deposit - If you have not already done so, please pay your deposit online. This will guarantee you a spot in the academic program to which you've been accepted. Until your deposit has been received (or waived in certain circumstances) by Graduate Admissions, you will not be able proceed with next step and may miss important information. Please allow for a processing time of 1-2 business days.
Step Two
Activate Utica Account - You may activate your Utica student account (or reset a forgotten password) at any time after your deposit has been processed by going to password.jmswierski.com. This creates the login you will need throughout your student career at Utica University. If you receive an Account Not Found Error there are two possible causes. 1) Your deposit has not yet been processed, please allow for a processing time of 1-2 business days. 2) We may not have your SSN, SEVIS, or national ID number on file, or it may be in correct. You can verify both by contacting Jessica Zdanowicz at 315-792-3826 or jmzdanow1@jmswierski.com or Travis Worden at 315-792-2490 or taworden@jmswierski.com.
Step Three
Set Up Student Financial Services Account - Setting up a Student Financial Services account at jmswierski.com/consent allows you to view your account balance and make secure payments online.
Step Four
Check Utica E-mail - Use the username and password created in Step Two and log in at jmswierski.com/google. NOTE: All official correspondence will be sent to your UC e-mail account, and it should be checked regularly.
Step Five
Register for Courses - Register for your courses at bannerweb.jmswierski.com. Log in and click the tab marked "Student Services and Financial Aid." A Help Sheet is available for online registration.
* Please check the academic calendar prior to the start of term and registration regarding add/drop deadlines.*
Step Six
Get Textbooks - You can buy your textbooks at the Utica University Bookstore or online at jmswierski.com/bookstore.
Additional Tips for Getting Started
Campus Map - Find your way around the Utica campus using the interactive campus map, including virtual tours.
Help Sheets - In addition to the one mentioned above in Step Four, a number of other Help Sheets are available covering a range of topics such as setting up your Utica e-mail on a smartphone, using the Table of Contents feature in Word, using Reference Manager in Word, using Google Drive, Google Hangouts, Windows 10, and much more!
Explore BannerWeb - BannerWeb is a very valuable tool for you as a student. BannerWeb can be accessed through the "Login" link at the top of all Utica web pages or by going to bannerweb.jmswierski.com. Besides registering for courses, using the Student Services and Financial Aid tab in BannerWeb you can...
- Find your Advisor - Click on Student Records > View Student Information
- View Mid-term and Final Grades
- View Holds
- View your Academic Transcript
- View your Degree Evaluation - see what courses you still need to take in order to meet your degree requirements
- View your Active Registration - including a Week-at-a-Glance calendar of your course schedule
Log in to ENGAGE - ENGAGE is an online teaching and learning environment that may be used for some or all of your courses. ENGAGE can be accessed through the "Login" link at the top of all Utica web pages or by going to http://engage.jmswierski.com/. For assistance contact ENGAGE at 1-866-1537 or engageutica@personalsupportcenter.com.
Want to import your Engage assignments to your gmail calendar for notifications, reminders, and one place for all course assignments? Click How to import Engage calendar into Gmail.pdf for step by step instructions.
Academic Advisor
A faculty member appointed to mentor and guide a student through the completion of a graduate degree. If you have received a letter putting you on probation, or have questions about your progress through your program or about opportunities in your professional field, you should schedule a meeting with your advisor to create a plan for success.
Follow these instructions to find out who your academic adviser is: here
Success Coach
Online students are assigned a single point of contact who acts as a liaison between the various departments on campus. A Success Coach assists students with creating a degree plan, curricular information, registration information, and policies and procedures. This person will reach out to students periodically to ensure they are on track and to trouble-shoot any issues. If you have received a letter placing you on probation, you should schedule a meeting with your advisor to create a plan for success.
Center for Student Success
The Center is located in Hubbard Hall 117 and houses both Success Coaches and Financial Aid Counselors.
If you are struggling with time management, academic progress, or perfecting study habits, contact the Office of Student Success at studentsuccess@jmswierski.com or by calling 315-792-3179.
To speak with your Financial Aid Counselor, please call 315-792-3179.
- School of Health Professions and Education - Andrea M. Curley, B.S.
- School of Arts and Sciences - Ryan Dembrow, B.A.
- School of Business and Justice Studies - Kristiann Wratten
Degree Evaluation
The degree evaluation is a valuable tool to help identify what courses are needed to the meet academic requirements for each program of study. Instructions on how to run a degree evaluation can be found here.
Graduate Catalog
In the Graduate Catalog you can find information regarding the requirements for academic programs, academic standing rules, appeals/petitions, grade changes, graduation approval, incomplete grades, intellectual honesty policies and much more.
Learning Services
If you need advisement, advocacy, or academic support and you have a documented disability, contact the Office of Learning Services. Every effort will be made to help students master the course content in an effective and appropriate way. For more information call 315-792-3032 or email jcborner@jmswierski.com
Library
The Utica University librarians each have their own specialties. If you are having trouble with writing design, finding sources, writing style, or research, your program-designated librarian can help. The list below shows your program-designated librarian.
- Accounting - Lisa Rogers
- Cybersecurity - Lisa Rogers
- Data Science - Janis Winn
- Financial Crime - Lisa Rogers
- Education - Katie Spires
- Health Care Administration - Sam Berry-Sullivan
- MBA - Lisa Rogers
- Nursing - Sam Berry-Sullivan
- Occupational Therapy - Sam Berry-Sullivan
- Physical Therapy - Sam Berry-Sullivan
- Social Work - Janis Winn
The Utica University Library provides a full range of resources and research assistance for all Utica students. The library website provides students with access a wide range of databases and e-journals even when they are not on campus, which can be useful to distance students or students working from home.
The library also houses a collection of Utica University Thesis and Capstone Projects. These can be accessed two ways, one through the old catalog (prior to Fall 2013), and two through the new catalog. Instructions on how to access dissertations in the new catalog here.
Another resource available through the Utica University library is Ask Us 24/7. Students, faculty and staff can now receive real-time assistance from reference librarians at Utica University or librarians from around the world. This service is available any time of the day or night, even if students can't visit the library in person. Students who need help finding information may submit questions through a link on the library’s web site. Questions are answered by a librarian participating in our worldwide network of reference librarians.
Read & Write Gold
A web-based site that can be a resource for reading and writing help.
Some features of Read & Write Gold are:
- A tool bar that works with Word, PDF, Dragon, Google, and online text that Converts text to speech.
- Tools for Proof reading Talking spell checker, verb checker, dictionary, thesaurus, and identify sounds words that are easily mixed up.
- Tools to help organize reading, highlighters that can be collected and grouped by color, vocab list, Fact folder, Fact Mapper, Speech Input, prediction suggestions
- Tools for Translation and Accessibility translates English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, pronunciation tutor, picture dictionary, talking calculator
Registrar
The Office of the Registrar is the official keeper of students' academic records. This includes the academic calendar, course registrations, academic transcripts, enrollment verification, and degrees awarded degrees. A number of forms, procedures, and resources for students and faculty are available on their website.
- How to access or order your Academic Transcript
- How to view holds on student account
- How to access grades on BannerWeb
School Offices
An administrative unit overseeing one or more academic departments or programs.
Arts & Sciences
- Liberal Studies (MS)
Business & Justice Studies
- Business Administration (MBA)
- Computer Forensics (Certificate)
- Cyber Operations (Certificate)
- Cyber Risk and Analysis (MPS)
- Cyber Policy (Certificate)
- Cybersecurity (MS)
- Data Science (MS)
- Economic Crime and Fraud Management (MBA)
- Financial Crime and Compliance Management (MS)
- Financial Crime and Compliance Operations (Certificate)
- Health Care Management (MS)
- Monitoring, Surveillance, and Intelligence Operations (Certificate)
- Organizational Risk Assessment and Management (Certificate)
- Professional Accountancy (MBA)
- Regulatory and Compliance Assurance (Certificate)
Health Professions & Education
- Education (MS)
- Nursing (MS)
- Occupational Therapy (MS)
- Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Post Professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (TDPT)
- Social Work (MSW)
Smarthinking Online Tutoring
An online tutoring service available to Utica Uniersity students. It provides tutoring in a variety of subjects, some of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students can interact with a live tutor, submit writing assignments to the Online Writing Lab, and submit questions to be answered by a tutor.
Smarthinking Online Tutoring
What-if Analysis
A tool found in the Degree Evaluation function of BannerWeb to help students and their adviser explore the idea of changing programs. This analysis will show which courses the student has completed will transfer to a different program and the remaining courses the student will need to satisfy the new program’s requirements. Find instructions for running a what if analysis here.
Writing Resources
The Guide to Graduate Level Writing presentation will help you learn the difference between graduate and undergraduate level writing; tips on choosing a topic, sources, drafts, editing and more.
Reflective writing is when the student makes connections between readings and classroom experiences and explains how they affect your thinking and practice. Find out more in this presentation here.
The Student Wellness Center
Houses the counseling center and the health center. Located on the second floor of Strebel Center, Utica University's Student Health Center strives to meet students' needs during illness and injury, and promotes optimum health and wellness. If you need someone to talk to about stress, anxiety, or overall mental health, contact Student Counseling Services.
The Student Health Center can be reached via email or phone at: (315) 792-3094
Our staff is comprised of professionally trained clinicians, licensed by the State of New York, who can assist you with a wide variety of concerns. It is our belief that the college experience is all about learning and growing, both professionally AND personally. Our work focuses on helping students gain the maximum benefit from their whole experience here at Utica. If you need someone to talk to about stress, anxiety, or overall mental health, contact the Student Wellness Center at (315) 792-3094 or hwc@jmswierski.com.
*** If you or someone you know are in crisis or need immediate assistance call 911.
Additional resources:
Mobile Crisis Assessment Team (MCAT)
(315) 732-6228
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255, press 1
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
Because the same questions often get asked over and over again, the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies has provided answers below to the most frequently asked questions. If you do not see the answer to your question here, please check the Academic Policies and Procedures in the most recent Graduate Catalog and/or contact our office so that we may assist you.
More frequently asked questions that apply to all students, both undergraduate and graduate, can be found on the Student Affairs website here.
Q: Where do I go to register for classes?
A: Registering for all courses is now done online via BannerWeb. If you have questions regarding registration or need to register in person, the Office of the Registrar is available for assistance. An Online Registration Tutorial is available to walk you through the registration process.
Q: If I need to take a semester off from graduate classes, what should I do?
A: Graduate students must be enrolled in credit bearing courses, enrolled in a 997/998 Continuous Student Enrollment course, or on an approved leave of absence. Any graduate student needing to take time off from school must submit a completed Leave of Absence Form requesting the leave. If you're already enrolled in one or more courses and wish to withdraw from ALL courses in a given term, you must submit a Complete Withdrawal Form. See the Forms section in the next tab for these forms.
Q: What is Continuous Enrollment?
A: Graduate students who have completed all the course requirements for their degree except for the culminating academic experience (thesis, capstone project, comprehensive exam, or portfolio/dossier) must maintain continuous enrollment until the culminating academic experience is successfully completed. Failure to enroll in a 997 continuous enrollment course will result in the loss of matriculated status, which may affect your degree requirements. Please note that 997 continuous enrollment carries a $500 fee.
Q:What is a culminating academic experience (CAE)?
A: In keeping with the requirements of the New York State Department of Education, Utica University requires that all graduate students complete research or a comparable occupational or professional experience, which the University calls Culminating Academic Experiences (CAEs). Each graduate program determines which experience option(s) are available to students in the program (e.g., thesis, capstone project, comprehensive exam, portfolio/dossier). At Utica University, individual graduate programs have program-specific research requirements. Click the Culminating Academic Experiences (CAEs) link above for information about the options and broad definitions for each. *Programs which are noted on the chart as completing a thesis or capstone project must submit the Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project forms and follow the ETD submission process.
Q: What happens if I lose matriculated status?
A: Loss of matriculated status means that the student will need to start repaying any student loans, they will no longer have access to Utica e-mail or to electronic library resources, and they will need to apply through the Office of the Registrar to be reactivated in order to regain matriculated status and be allowed to register for courses or receive their degree. The Application for Readmission form can also be found via the Forms section in the next tab. Students who return after losing matriculated status are readmitted under the terms of the catalog appropriate to the new matriculation term, which may mean different academic requirements in order to graduate.
Q: If I need proof of enrollment at Utica University, where do I go?
A: The Office of the Registrar can provide you the documentation needed for proof of enrollment. They are located in 123 White Hall.
Q: How do I pay tuition? What are the current tuition and fees?
A: Tuition and many other Utica University bills should be paid online via your Student Account in BannerWeb. To view your bill, see other ways in which payments can be made, or obtain financial aid information, visit Student Financial Services (SFS) online or in 117 Hubbard Hall. Students should contact SFS for up-to-date information on tuition and fees.
Q: How do I access my student account information?
You can find access to your student account information and student records, by going to Banner Web and click on "Enter Secure Area." Once you are logged in, go to the "Student and Financial Aid" and click on Student Account this will give you access to:
- View Your Account Summaries
- View Your Account Activity
- Make a Secure Payment
- View Your Recent Payments
In BannerWeb you will also have access to the following:
- View Holds
- View Mid-Term Grades
- View Academic Transcript
- View Degree Evaluation (courses still needed to graduate)
Q: How long can I keep my Utica email account?
Student email accounts remain active for six months beyond being registered for classes – this also applies to alumni. Alumni are able to retain their jmswierski.com email account beyond that six month period by following instructions sent to their Utica email address 30 days prior to the account being deleted; these 6-month extensions for Alumni will be granted as long as they continue to request them. Note that students or alumni may need to reset their password to gain access to their email account. To activate or reset your Utica password, go to password.jmswierski.com.
Q: How do I find a CLEP Exam Test Center?
A: CLEP exams are administered throughout the year at different colleges and universities. Once you find a conveniently located test center, contact them directly about registration and scheduling. To find a test center, go here. Look under Next Steps (right side of page). Click on find a test center. Type in your zipcode, state and city to search for all locations.
Q: How do I obtain my student ID?
A: If you are a campus-based student you need to go to Student Activities and have your picture taken and they will give you your ID on site. If you are an online student you should complete the ID Card Request Form here. You will need to login with your Utica University username and password, review your information, and hit submit. A Utica ID will be mailed to you in within 2 weeks.
Q: How do I know if I Applied for Degree or if my degree has been awarded?
A: In BannerWeb you will click on "Enter Secure Area", then "Student and Financial Aid"' then "Student Records", then "Academic Transcript". You will then select the transcript level of Graduate and click submit. Your unofficial academic transcript will appear. The first section will be your student information, then your curriculum information, and then degrees awarded. In the degrees awarded you will either see "sought" (meaning you are still in the progress of earning your degree and have at least one more semester left), "pending" (meaning you have applied for degree and your application is in review), or "awarded" (meaning that you have applied for degree and the review has been conducted and you are now a GRADUATE!!).
Q: What do I do if my Degree Evaluation doesn't reflect my grades?
A: If you can see the class in your Degree Evaluation but under the grade column you see asterisks, then your grade has not been entered by your professor. If you do not see the course at all and you are registered for it you should contact the Center for Student Success at 315.792.3179 or studentsuccess@jmswierski.com.
*NOTE: Some forms are PDFs and others are links to online forms. Most of the PDF forms are "fillable" so you can type in the information, then print and sign. Typing information into the PDF form is preferred.
Registration and Course Credit Forms
- Graduate Transfer Credit Form - to receive credit for a course taken prior to attending Utica University
- Permission to Study at Another Institution Form - to receive credit for a course to be taken after matriculating at Utica; must be submitted BEFORE taking the course
- Alternative Degree Requirement (ADR) Form - to make degree requirement course substitutions for courses already on a student's Utica record
- Experience Credit Application for Graduate Students - Experience credit is limited to six credits, and the experience must have produced the learning equivalent to taking a course in the program
- Liberal Studies (LST 691 and LST 692) Research Application Form - student must complete form before being allowed to register for LST 691 or LST 692
- Graduate Tutorial/Independent Study Application Form - in order to register for a course as a tutorial or independent study
- Graduate Incomplete Contract - in order to award a grade of incomplete to a graduate student
Leave and Readmit Forms
- Graduate Leave of Absence Form - one form per semester/term - if registered for courses in the semester taking leave, student must also submit Complete Withdrawal Form (below). The Graduate Leave of Absence Form can also be used to apply for a Medical Leave of Absence. The purpose of the medical leave of absence is to maintain your health coverage if you are insured by a parent and your parent's health insurer requires you to be in school full-time in order to maintain coverage
- Complete Withdrawal Form - will withdraw student from ALL active courses for which s/he is registered for the term indicated. Student will receive an e-mail at his/her Utica University e-mail account as confirmation form was submitted, the student must also submit Graduate Leave of Absence Form (above)
- Graduate Application for Readmission - required in order for a student who's status at Utica University has rolled to "Inactive" due to lack of continuous enrollment (please allow up to two weeks for processing).
- Change of Program Form - This form is used to request a change from one matriculated graduate program to another.
Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project Forms
- Graduate Thesis/Capstone Modification Form - one form per student, only required if there has been a change in a student's research topic or in committee membership (fillable form - please type)
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) Research Proposal Application - required if a student's thesis/capstone project involves research with human subjects (e.g., survey, interviews)
Thesis/Capstone Project Information
*NOTE: The Graduate Research Policies and Procedures document is no longer being used. Information from the document was moved to either the Graduate Catalog or the Formatting and Submission Guide (below).
* For a description of theses and capstone projects as well as other CAE's and a breakdown by program see the Culminating Academic Experience Overview page dropdown on this page. Programs which are noted on the chart as completing a thesis or capstone project must submit the Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project forms and follow the ETD submission process.
- Formatting and Submission Guide - required procedures for students submitting a thesis/capstone project
- Word Document Template for Thesis/Capstone Project - open, "save as" to make it your own, and plug and play with your content! Strongly recommended to ensure proper formatting and organization!
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Utica University - additional information about the IRB
Graduation
*NOTE: Applying for Degree is required in order to receive your diploma and is a separate process from attending a Commencement Ceremony. Participating in the Commencement Ceremony, however, is optional and does not guarantee receipt of your diploma. In turn Applying for Degree does not serve as your RSVP to attend Commencement.
- Graduate Application for Degree - submitted in last semester by deadline in order to graduate, for students receiving a DPT, MS, MBA, or MSED
- Graduate Certificate Students Application for Degree - submitted in last semester by deadline in order to graduate, for students receiving a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS)
- Commencement Ceremony Information - which includes:
- RSVP - Attendance Notification
- Order Cap, Gown, and Hood
Miscellaneous
*Please note this information is intended for graduate students and as such some information may differ for undergraduate students. Undergraduate students should refer to the Undergraduate Catalog.
A
Academic Advisor - A faculty member appointed to mentor and guide a student through the completion of a graduate degree.
Academic Honesty Policy - Utica University expects academic honesty from all students. Academic honesty is necessary for the free exchange of ideas. Academic dishonesty can include plagiarism or cheating.
Alternative Degree Requirement Form (ADR) - Application to be used to make degree requirement substitutions for courses already on a student’s Utica University record.
Ampersand- Utica University’s literary magazine, Ampersand is published annually each spring semester by an all student staff that changes yearly. Faculty advisor, Dr. Gary Leising helps oversee meetings and publication of Ampersand. The magazine contains original art, poetry, short stories, and personal essays by students at Utica University. The editorial staff ask for submissions from University yearly. The staff reviews submissions and choose what makes it to publication through multiple readings and discussions. Submitters are notified via email if their work has been accepted for publication. Traditionally, towards the end of the spring semester the editorial staff hold a launch party with an open mic and invite all issue contributors to read from the newest issue.
Ask Us 24/7- Students, faculty and staff can now receive real-time assistance from reference librarians at Utica University and librarians from around the world. This service is available any time of the day or night, even if students can't visit the library in person. Anyone who needs help finding information may submit questions through a link on the library’s web site. Questions are answered by any librarian participating in our worldwide network of reference librarians. Follow the link here for more information.
Auditing - A full-time matriculated student in good standing may, with the permission of the instructor, attend a course as an auditor. Registration is required. Part-time or non-matriculated students who wish to audit a course may do so with the permission of the instructor, provided they register for the course and pay the tuition charge. An auditor receives a grade of AU and does not participate in the course examinations or other work except at the option of the instructor. A student may change from audit to credit status no later than the second week of class. Students may not audit courses where they have not met prerequisite requirements.
B
BannerWeb - A web-based application that gives a student access to a wide array of college academic and administrative information; including but not limited to academic transcripts, grades, holds, financial aid and student account.
C
Capstone - Research that focuses on the practical application of knowledge and theories including involvement with the creation of new knowledge. *See your program of study for specific degree requirements.
Catalog - A policy handbook that lists available programs and courses. Financial and academic policies and procedures are also included. We encourage all graduate students, faculty, and staff who work or attend Utica University to familiarize with the catalog here, and select the appropriate handbook/catalog.
Certificate - Offers professionals the option to gain needed skills in a specific area of study, typically in a short period of time.
Change of Program - Students are permitted to change their program of study based on educational or career objectives. Students who wish to change their program of study are required to fill out an “Application to Adjust Graduate Program and/or Certificate” form.
Clinical- Relating to the observation and treatment of actual patients rather than theoretical or laboratory studies.
Commencement - A celebration honoring the academic achievements, through hard work and dedication, of the students graduating from Utica University. At Utica University, commencement is held each May for students who completed their degree requirements and applied to receive their degree in December or May of the same academic year. More information can be found on the commencement website here.
*Commencement is not synonymous with graduation or degree conferral. Students must complete all requirements for the degree to have the degree officially conferred. Attending Commencement does not guarantee you will receive your diploma.
Comprehensive Exam - A written examination that focuses on testing the practical application of knowledge and theories.
Continuous Enrollment - Graduate students must maintain continuous enrollment in the program of study and either be
- Matriculated and enrolled in a credit-bearing course
- Matriculated and enrolled in 997/998 Continuous Student Enrollment or
- On an approved Leave of Absence.
Students who do not fall into one of three above categories and have not been dismissed from the University will be deactivated and lose matriculated status.
Credit Hours - A student receives credit for a college course based on the number of contact hours completed in the classroom per a defined time frame.
Culminating Academic Experience (CAE) - In keeping with the requirements of the New York State Department of Education, Utica University requires that all graduate students complete one of more of the following: a thesis based on independent research, an appropriate capstone project, or a comprehensive exam. More information regarding the CAE can be found in the Culminating Academic Experience section further on this page.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or “vita”- Used to apply for college teaching positions, fellowships or industrial jobs. Individuals applying for administrative positions in academe may be asked for either a resume or a CV.
D
Degree Conferral - Degree conferral (often simply called "graduation") is a student-initiated process consisting of submitting an “Application for Degree” in the term in which you anticipate completing all degree requirements. The application for degree must be submitted by the deadline.
- Do not wait until the end of your final term to apply (See OGS Graduation Deadlines)
- The Application for degree must be verified and approved by the Dean, your Academic Adviser, the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies, and the Registrar.
Degree Evaluation - The degree evaluation is a valuable tool to help identify what courses are needed to the meet academic requirements for each programs of study. Instructions for how to run a degree evaluation can be found here.
Diploma - A certificate awarded by Utica University that shows successful completion of a course of study. If all obligations to the University are satisfied, a diploma can be expected 10-12 weeks after the conferral date. A transcript is considered an official verification of an awarded degree.
Drop or Withdraw - There are multiple parts of a term in every semester, and there are three distinct date ranges for each part of term:
- The add/drop period - dropping a class during this period will result in the complete removal of the course from your record.
- The withdraw period - withdrawing from a class during this period will result in a grade of WD on your transcript. This grade will not affect your GPA. On the academic calendar, this date is noted as "Last day to WD without academic penalty."
- The withdraw/fail period - withdrawing from a class during this period will result in a grade of WF on your transcript. This grade calculates as an F in your GPA. On the "deadlines" page, this period begins after the "Last day to WD without academic penalty."
*Courses that run for part of the term have different add/drop/withdraw schedules than those that run the entire term. Please carefully review the academic calendar.
*Note that withdrawing from a class may have financial implications. You should consult with The Center for Student Success prior to withdrawing.
E
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) - The forum used by Utica University to collect and publish students’ thesis and capstone project submissions. ETD is a service of ProQuest Databases. Once accepted by the University, thesis and capstone projects will be published through ProQuest. Active Utica University students can access the ProQuest Databases through the Utica University Library website. Published thesis and capstone projects are also available through ProQuest to any individual or organization with a full subscription to ProQuest databases. Please note publication time can take 6-8 weeks from the time of acceptance
- Graduate students must submit their final, approved thesis/capstone project to the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies electronically by the submission deadline for the term in which they wish to graduate. These deadlines are outlined on the Graduation Deadlines section, below.
- Not all graduate programs at Utica University require students to write a thesis or capstone project. For programs that do require a thesis or capstone project or for students who choose one of those options (if allowed), however, it must be submitted via this process and will be made publicly available online.
Engage - Utica University’s online learning platform. Campus based courses may utilize an Engage course shell to enhance the learning environment.
Enrollment Verification - This form is available to print or mail to a health insurer, student loan servicer or other company that requests proof of enrollment at Utica University. To access, go to BannerWeb ~ Student Services~ Enrollment Verification.
Experience Credit - Only in exceptional circumstances will Utica University allow for experience credit. It is limited to six credits in a graduate program, and the experience credit must have produced the learning equivalent to taking course(s) in the program. A student wishing to receive experience credit must submit an “Application for Graduate Experience Credit”.
F
FERPA- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act - “A Federal law that is administered by the Family Policy Compliance Office at the U.S. Department of Education. The eligible student has the right to have access to his or her education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the records”. For more information go to www.ed.gov
Fieldwork - Practical work conducted by a researcher in the natural environment, rather than in a laboratory or office. Fieldwork is an integral part of your program as an opportunity to have multiple “real world” experiences to practice what you are learning in your particular program of study.
Formatting and Submission Guide - This guide will explain the formatting requirements and process of submitting your thesis or capstone project to Utica University. Once approved by your committee, a thesis or capstone project is submitted to Utica University via the ETD to meet the official submission to the University requirement. The formatting and submission guide can be accessed here.
G
Good Standing - Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are considered to be in good standing. Good Standing is one of the criteria all students must meet to be considered for graduation. See the Graduate Catalog for specific academic progress and academic standing requirements.
Grade Point Average (GPA) - Grade points are awarded on the basis of a 4.0 Quality Point Scale for each credit hour based on the grade received in a course.
Graduate Assistant (GA) - Graduate assistantships provide students with opportunities to engage in meaningful, career-related academic activities that support the Utica University’s commitment to offering experiential education. Graduate assistantships also provide the University an opportunity to engage the creative and professional talent of exceptional graduate students in roles that will assist it in meeting its strategic and operational goals. For more information and eligibility requirements please see the Student Employment website.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - A standardized test available in a computer-based or paper-delivered format. The GRE measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills and is used as an entrance exam for graduate programs.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) - A standardized test that measures verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills. This test may be a requirement for admission into a graduate program. See the Graduate admission page to see what the admission requirements are for your desired program.
Graduation - You’ve completed your degree requirements and can receive your diploma.
There are three components to completing graduate degree requirements at Utica University:
- Successfully complete the required courses per program of study.
- Have a cumulative total GPA of 3.0 or greater.
- Successfully complete a Culminating Academic Experience.
- Be enrolled for the semester in which graduating
- Apply for graduation by the deadline (see Graduation Deadlines tab below)
- Submit appropriate paperwork within deadlines
*Note: it is suggested that students resolve any holds as soon as possible to aid in a smooth and timely process.
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Handshake- The Center for Career Readiness' career management system and is designed to create connections between students/alumni, employers, and The Center’s staff. Features include job and internship postings, event and workshop registrations, and the ability to schedule an appointment with The Center’s Career Coaching and Campus Employment Program staff.
Hold - There are several types of holds that can be placed on your student account that may affect the release of your transactions or diploma from the Registrar's Office. If you are a current student, you can view your holds on BannerWeb in the Student and Financial Aid section ~ Student Records. It is strongly suggested that students resolve holds promptly. Questions regarding exit interview holds, or financial holds should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services. Some holds can prevent a student from registering.
Hooding - A part of a commencement ceremony celebrating the completion of a master’s or doctoral degree program; the highest level of educational achievement. At the Graduate Commencement Ceremony, the master’s or doctoral hood will be placed on the student by the the School Dean and Program Director.
I
Incomplete Contract - A grade of I (Incomplete) may be granted only if it can be demonstrated that it would be unfair to hold a student to the normal time limits for the course. Illness or exceptional circumstances are the usual bases for consideration. A grade of Incomplete must be agreed upon by both the student and the instructor and should include the completion of an “Incomplete Contract Form”. The amount of time granted to complete the Incomplete will be set by the instructor at the time the grade is submitted, but the default time frame is six weeks from the latest final grades due date of a given semester.
Independent Study - An academic project or study that is conducted by a graduate student that is pre-approved by Utica University and satisfies a course requirement. Graduate students undertaking an independent study or project must be matriculated and have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. No more than a total of six credit hours of independent study may count as credit toward a graduate degree. Students who wish to participate in a tutorial or independent study must complete the “Graduate Tutorial/Independent Study Application” form and have approval from their academic advisor.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) - An internal administrative body responsible for reviewing and authorizing study protocols for research involving human subjects. For more information go to the IRB website here.
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Learning Services - Any student who has need of special adaptations or accommodations due to a documented learning or physical disability should notify Academic Support Services within the first two weeks of class. Every effort will be made to help the student master the course content in an effective and appropriate way. For more information call 315-792-3032 or email jcborner@jmswierski.com.
Leave of absence - Students may take a leave of absence for personal, financial, work, medical, or military related reasons. In order to do so, the student must fill out a “Graduate Leave of Absence” form.
M
Matriculation - Matriculation refers to a student being accepted into a degree-awarding program. Matriculated students can only be matriculated into one Utica University program at a time. A student who is not continuously enrolled will become inactive and lose matriculated status. *See continuous enrollment.
Miller Analogies Test (MAT) - This test is a high-level mental ability test comprised of analogies that require the prospective student to analytically solve word related problems. This test may be a requirement for admission into a graduate program.
*See the Graduate Admission page for requirements of the desired program.
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Non-matriculated - This status is reserved for students who are not seeking a degree or certificate at the time of admission, are not interested in receiving financial aid, and who wish to waive placement testing and academic advisement which would normally determine the suitability of their courses for degree fulfillment or transfer credit.
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PIN - Some programs require students to use a PIN number to grant them access to online registration. This PIN is only available from your adviser after you have met with them to discuss course selection. The Office of the Registrar is not permitted to issue PINs. Program – A student’s program is the academic program of study that a student has applied, been accepted, and matriculated into.
PioHub- A Student Activities web page that connects you, the student, to student living and campus engagement. Discover and join a new organization or find out about campus events, and connect with the latest Utica news. For more information go to: http://utica.presence.io/
Plan of Study- Also called a degree planner or curriculum map is a tool used to outline the courses required to meet the student’s degree requirements. A plan of study will map out courses the student will take term by term until they reach completion. This is typically organized by the student’s adviser or success coach.
Plagiarism- A serious form of intellectual dishonesty, is defined as the use of ideas and phrases in the writings of others as one’s own without crediting the source. Students who assist other students in acts of plagiarism and/or cheating, or who otherwise contribute to acts of intellectual dishonesty, are subject to the appropriate penalties. Utica University faculty are authorized to assign academic penalties for plagiarism, including the grade of “F for cheating.” Students who receive an “F for cheating” forfeit their rights to withdraw from the course without penalty.
Program- A student’s program is the academic program of study that a student has applied, been accepted, and matriculated into.
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Readmission - In order for a student to apply for readmission into a graduate program, an Application for Readmission form is required in order for a student who's status at Utica University has rolled to "Inactive" due to lack of continuous enrollment (please allow up to two weeks for processing.
RefWorks- A web-based commercial reference management software package. It is produced by RefWorks- COS, a business unit of ProQuest LLC. Manage citations, bibliographies, and research done at the Utica University Library. To get started go here.
Registration - The process in which students enroll in classes each term. The registration process for a student may be interrupted if a student has a hold of their student account. It is advised that student check their account for any present holds before the registration time. Some students may be required to contact their adviser prior to registering for courses in order to obtain a PIN.
Registrar -The Office of the Registrar is the official keeper of students' academic records. This includes the academic calendar, course registrations, academic transcripts, enrollment verification, and awarding degrees. A number of forms, procedures, and resources for students and faculty are available on their website.
Residency - Residencies are associated with specific courses and are mandatory. In certain dire circumstances the program director may grant a one-time deferral or excuse a student from the requirement to attend a residency. The failure to attend a residency will have a negative impact on success in the program. Residency is required for some graduate programs but not all.
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School - An administrative unit overseeing one or more academic departments or programs.
Style guide - A style guide is a reference point that sets standards for writing documents within your academic program. Citation style guide and resources are available through the Utica University Library online.
Smarthinking - An online tutoring service that is available to Utica University students. Smarthinking provides tutoring in a variety of subjects, some of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some of the services included are connecting and live interaction with a tutor, submit writing assignments to the Online Writing Lab, and submitting questions to be answered by a tutor.
Success Coach - Online students will be assigned a single point of contact, who will act as a liaison between the various departments on campus. A Success Coach will assist students with creating a degree plan, curricular information, registration information, policies and procedures. This person will reach out to the student periodically to ensure a student is on track and assist to trouble shoot any issues.
Syllabus - A document that describes course content, outlines topics to be covered in an academic course, and explains course policies and procedures.
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Tangerine- Utica University’s newspaper that is published weekly during the academic year by and for Utica University students. The Tangerine was first published as the Utica University News on Nov. 6, 1946 and can be found at uticatangerine.com
Tax Notification, Form 1098-T - A tuition Statement that is accessible under your student account tab in BannerWeb when they become available for tax return preparation purposes.
Thesis - Original, independent research with creation of new knowledge or interpretations. See the CAE page for information about the options by program. (Programs which are noted on the chart as completing a thesis or capstone project must submit the Thesis/Capstone Forms and follow the ETD submission process.)
Thesis Defense - A thesis requires an oral defense based on the written thesis paper which will be evaluated by the thesis committee. The student will conduct an oral presentation of their research findings followed by questions from the audience. Thesis defenses are open to the campus community. When questioning is complete those in attendance who are not the student nor part of the thesis committee will exit the room. At this time the committee will meet with the student to rule on the outcome of the defense.
The student and their thesis committee coordinate a date and time to conduct the thesis defense. The student then communicates this to the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies who will reserve a room for the defense, technology needs, and send out campus wide announcements. For scheduling purposes, connect with the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies at least 2 weeks before your desired thesis defense date.
Thesis or Capstone Committee - A committee must consist of at least two faculty members, a committee chair, and additional second and third readers. The committee members will guide students through the thesis or capstone process from the time of determining a research topic through final approval of the thesis or capstone.
Thesis or Capstone Committee Chair - Must be a Utica University faculty member (full-time or adjunct) from the department in which the student is matriculated. The chair will also be the student’s instructor for the culminating experience course. The committee chair will help refine a student’s thesis or capstone topic and guide the student through the writing process.
Thesis or Capstone Readers - The student and committee chair will work together to recruit the other members to be included in the committee. A thesis or capstone committee should consist of up to two additional members (readers), only one of whom may be from the same program as the chair. Readers should stretch across different disciplines and should be tailored to fit the needs of the student’s research. Readers do not need to be Utica University faculty. However, readers who are not Utica University faculty members must submit a resume to be reviewed and approved by the program director in order to serve as a subject matter expert. Readers will review the student’s work and make suggestions for revisions if needed.
Transcript - An official record of the student’s enrollment, grades, and any degrees awarded. To access unofficial transcripts or view grades, login to BannerWeb, click on enter secure area, enter your username and password, go to student services, academic transcript, drop down level and type, academic transcript. To order an official transcript follow the prompts above and click on “Order Official Transcript”.
Transfer credit - In order for a student to transfer credits for a course taken prior to attending Utica University, a Graduate Transfer Credit Form must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar. A maximum of six graduate credits graded B or higher from a regionally accredited institution may be applied to a Utica University graduate program at the time of matriculation. The credits must have been completed within six years of the initial date of matriculation at Utica University and must be equivalent to the courses being replaced. Both the program director or chair and the school dean must give written approval for the acceptance of transfer credits via the Graduate Transfer Credit Form.
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Utica Alert - Utica University keeps the campus community informed about safety concerns via Utica Alert - an Emergency Text and E-mail Alert system. The system alerts all users by cell phone, text message and/or by e-mail in the event of weather-related closings, public safety concerns and other circumstances that might affect members of the campus community. A cell phone application is available for free download in the App store called “Rave Guardian” or you can login at http://www.getrave.com/login/utica to register.
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VeriCite - A detection service that identifies potentially plagiarized or improperly cited text. The service automatically checks submitted work against an ever-increasing index of online sources.
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What-if Analysis - A tool found in the Degree Evaluation function of BannerWeb to help a student and their adviser explore the idea of changing programs. This analysis will show if any courses the student has completed will transfer to the new program and the remaining courses the student will need to satisfy the new program’s requirements.
Withdraw - *See Drop/Withdraw
**If you are looking for a term or information not included on this page, please contact the Center for Student Success at 315.792.3179 or studentsuccess@jmswierski.com.
Graduate school offers enough challenges as it is without also having to figure out what else you need to do in order to graduate. This page provides guidance to graduate students in the key areas needed to ensure successful graduation (assuming all graduation requirements are completed). The Office of Graduate & Professional Studies is here to assist you in navigating your way to graduation, so please contact us if you have questions or concerns!
Graduation Requirements
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all degree requirements have been completed; see the Graduate Catalog for complete details. To be approved for graduation, a student must:
- successfully complete all course requirements for your catalog term
- have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
- successfully complete a Culminating Academic Experience (see below)
- be enrolled for the semester in which graduating
- apply for graduation by the deadline (see Graduation Deadlines tab in the next section)
- submit appropriate paperwork within deadlines
*NOTE: it is suggested that students resolve any holds as soon as possible to aid in a smooth and timely process.
Degree Evaluation
Students can review their Degree Evaluation in BannerWeb to see which of the academic requirements listed above have been met (Degree Evaluations are being updated to reflect Culminating Academic Experience options). See Degree Evaluation Information for Students (PDF) for step-by-step instructions. The Degree Evaluation is only a tool; if you feel there is an error, please contact your advisor.
Style Guide Resources
Each graduate program determines which style guide or style manual (e.g., APA, MLA, AMA) must be followed when writing a thesis or capstone project. A style guide is used to ensure consistency throughout a document and provides guidance on formatting, organization, and how to cite references, but it also may go further and provide guidance on ethical writing and how to write clearly.
APA
- Official APA Style Guide site - provides the basics and quick answers from the source
- Utica University Library's Citing Your Sources site - provides links to a quick guide and full guide
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) - a wonderful secondary APA resource
MLA
- Utica University Library's Citing Your Sources site - provides links to a quick guide and full guide
- Official MLA Style Guide site
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) - a wonderful MLA resource
AMA
- Utica University Library's Citing Your Sources site - provides links to a quick guide and full guide
- Official AMA Style Guide site
Culminating Academic Experience Options
In keeping with the requirements of the New York State Department of Education, Utica University requires that all graduate students complete research or a comparable occupational or professional experience, which the University calls Culminating Academic Experiences (CAEs). Each graduate program determines which experience option(s) are available to students in the program (e.g., thesis, capstone project, comprehensive exam, portfolio/dossier). At Utica University, individual graduate programs have program-specific research requirements. Click the CAE dropdown tab on this page for information about the options and broad definitions for each.
*Programs which are noted on the chart as completing a thesis or capstone project must submit the Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project forms and follow the ETD submission process.
Graduation Deadlines
Graduate students must abide by the published Graduation Deadlines (see below). Also see the Forms section for specific forms students need to complete in order to graduate, including the need to Apply for Degree by the posted deadline in the semester in which you anticipate completing your degree requirements.
Template for Thesis/Capstone Project
This Word document template can be used by students who start writing their thesis/capstone project. The margins, pagination, and justification are preset according to the Formatting and Submission Guide, which must be followed in order for a thesis or capstone project to be accepted by the University. Just open the document, replace the variable information (often in square brackets -- [xx]), and start typing your text!
Commencement Ceremony
Although students can graduate three times a year (May, August, and December), there is only one Commencement Ceremony per year, which is held in May. Graduate students have a separate Commencement Ceremony from the undergraduates, and they must notify Utica University by RSVPing by the deadline if they plan on participating. Applying for Degree does not serve as your RSVP to Commencement. Visit the Commencement website for more information about the ceremony.
Diploma Information
Diplomas are awarded in conjunction with the conferring of degrees three times a year (May, August, and December).
Diplomas are ordered about 6-8 weeks after degrees are awarded. Once the diplomas are printed, they will be mailed to the address specified by the student on their application for degree. Diplomas will not be mailed to the student if there is a hold on the student's account. The most common types of holds are exit interview holds and account balance holds. Please note exit interview holds may be placed even if a student did not use federal loans for their graduate degree, but used federal loans for a prior degree. Instructions regarding how to access exit interview counseling online can be found here. Holds are noted in BannerWeb, in the Student and Financial Aid section, under Student Records. It is strongly suggested that students resolve holds ahead of time to aid in a smooth and timely process.
Questions regarding exit interview holds, or financial holds should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services.
Deadlines (PDF versions):
- Spring 2023 semester - for May Graduation
- Summer 2023 semester - for August Graduation
Deadlines (Web versions) - See below
For more information on graduation, the process, and requirements see the Getting to Graduation tab on this page.
Clarification: Graduation versus Commencement
Utica University confers degrees three times a year with graduation dates in August, December, and May. Graduation means you’ve completed your degree requirements and can receive your diploma. There are three components to completing graduate degree requirements at Utica University:
- Successfully completing the required courses,
- Having a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, and
- Successfully completing a Culminating Academic Experience (e.g., thesis, capstone project, comprehensive exam, portfolio/dossier).
*For a description of the different Culminating Academic Experiences and a breakdown by program see the Culminating Academic Experience Overview tab on this page. Programs which are noted on the chart as completing a thesis or capstone project must submit the Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project forms and follow the ETD submission process.
Everyone MUST Apply for Degree by the deadline in order to graduate and receive a diploma. When you Apply for Degree, you should select your graduation date based on the semester in which you anticipate completing ALL of your degree requirements. You only need to Apply for Degree once, but if your anticipated graduation date changes, you will need to Apply for Degree again for the new graduation date (you will not be charged the graduation fee again).
Commencement is a ceremony celebrating our graduates, which happens once a year in May, and participation is optional. Applying for Degree does not obligate you to participate in Commencement. Alternatively, attending Commencement does not guarantee you will receive your diploma. August graduates have the option of choosing which Commencement Ceremony in which they would like to participate – the May before or the May after graduating. More information is available at jmswierski.com/commencement.
Spring 2023 Semester – for May Graduation
Students must be enrolled in the semester in which they plan to graduate.
**Prior to dropping or withdrawing from a course, please consult with a Student Financial Services Counselor.
Application for Degree submitted by student - March 15
Culminating Academic Experience Deadline - May 7
- Approved Thesis/Capstone Project Completion Form
AND
- Thesis/Capstone submission via ETD (submission subject to formatting review, see revision and acceptance deadline below)
- Successful thesis defense (not applicable to students completing a capstone)
OR
- Comprehensive Exam Completion Form with passing outcome
Date Degree Conferred (Graduation Date): May 7, 2023
Thesis/Capstone formatting revisions and final ETD acceptance (students will be notified via email with the outcome form the formatting review) - June 15, 2023
Clinicals/fieldwork completed and evaluative paperwork submitted to academic program - June 15, 2023
Supplemental Dates for Spring 2023:
- First Day of Classes (8 wk, D1) – January 16
- First Day of Classes (Full Term) – January 17
- Last Day of Classes (Full Term) – May 1
- Last Day of Classes (8 wk, D2) – May 5
- Final Exams (Full Term) – May 2-6
- Final Grades Due (8 wk, D2) – May 10
- Final Grades Due (Full Term) - May 10
Summer 2023 Semester – for August Graduation
Students must be enrolled in the semester in which they plan to graduate.
**Prior to dropping or withdrawing from a course, please consult with a Student Financial Services Counselor.
Application for Degree submitted by student - June 15
Culminating Academic Experience Deadline – August 27
- Approved Thesis/Capstone Project Completion Form
AND
- Thesis/Capstone submission via ETD (submission subject to formatting review, see revision and acceptance deadline below),
- Successful thesis defense (not applicable to students completing a capstone)
OR
- Comprehensive Exam Completion Form with passing outcome
Date Degree Conferred (Graduation Date): August 27, 2023
Thesis/Capstone formatting revisions and final ETD acceptance (students will be notified via email with the outcome form the formatting review) - September 15, 2023
Clinicals/fieldwork completed and evaluative paperwork submitted to academic program - September 15, 2023
Supplemental Dates for Summer 2023:
- First Day of Classes (8 wk, D1) – May 8
- First Day of Classes (Full Term) – May 8
- Last Day of Classes (8 wk, D1) – June 30
- Last Day of Classes (Full Term) – August 25
- Last Day of Classes (8 wk, D2) – August 25
- Final Exams (Full Term) – August 30
- Final Grades Due (8-wk, D2) – August 30
Although not an exhaustive list, the resources below are likely to be most relevant to current graduate students at Utica University. If you can't find what you're looking for, the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies is here to assist you.
Career Services
The Jeremy C. Thurston '00 Center for Career Readiness endeavors to serve students, in partnership with alumni, employers, faculty, and staff, through the provision of the following services and resources: coaching, assessments, programming, campus employment, outreach, and recruitment activities. Students will develop self-awareness and actively engage in the career and professional development process, empowering them to make informed career decisions and preparing them to achieve career goals.
Counseling Services
Part of the Academic Support Services Center, Counseling Services is designed to help students regain a sense of control over personal or academic events that inhibit their success as students. For personal concerns that may arise during a semester, counselors are available to offer confidential, goal-oriented counseling services in person or over the phone. Located in 202 Hubbard Hall, (315) 792-3427.
Degree Evaluation
The degree evaluation is a valuable tool in helping students and advisors assess a student's progress toward earning their degree. It can help determine what courses are still needed in order to graduate. It is important to understand that the degree evaluation is only a tool; it is not an official report. Final graduation decisions are made by the faculty. If you feel the system has not handled your specific situation correctly, please consult with your advisor or the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies. To run a degree evaluation:
> Log in to BannerWeb
> Click on "Student and Financial Aid"
> Click on "Student Records"
> Click on "Degree Evaluation"
> Select the term and click "Submit"
For additional information about how to run and read your degree evaluation, see the Degree Evaluation Information for Students PDF document on the Registrar's website.
Dining Services
Campus Dining Services operates several dining and beverage facilities across campus. Located in Strebel Student Center, the Strebel Dining Commons is an all-you-can-eat dining hall that offers a variety of freshly prepared food selections and serves hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the Pioneer Café provides classic grill favorites. Enjoy a Starbucks Coffee or Simply-to-Go deli sandwich, salad, or dessert at Le Bistro, located in Gordon Science Center. Serving a variety of coffee, tea, and smoothies, Common Grounds is located in the Frank E. Gannett Library. For menus and hours, visit uticauniversity.sodexomyway.com. (See our Campus Map for building locations.)
Frequently Asked Questions
The Student Affairs has compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and their answers. These FAQ’s range from where to obtain a student id card and where to go to cash a check to bus schedules and transportation information. To see the complete list click here.
Health Center
Utica University's Student Health Center strives to meet students' needs during illness and injury, and promotes optimum health and wellness. Care is available to all students who complete a health form upon admission. Students are encouraged to schedule appointments. Service is free unless otherwise noted. All contact with the Student Health Center is strictly confidential. Located on the second floor of Strebel Student Center.
Housing
Utica University does not have dedicated graduate housing on campus, but there is limited space in the upperclass residence halls that can be requested by graduate students. A variety of housing options exist near the UC campus, and the Residence Life Office keeps an updated list of such off-campus housing and apartment options. Please see the Living Off Campus tab of the Residential Life Policies, Processes, and Forms page regarding off campus housing.
Library
The Utica University Library provides a full range of resources and research assistance for all Utica students, both resident and distance. The library website allows students to access a wide range of databases and e-journals even when they are not on campus, which can be useful to distance students or students working from home. The library also houses a collection of Utica University Dissertations. These can be accessed two ways, one through the old catalog (prior to Fall 2013), and two through the new catalog. Instructions on how to access dissertations in the former catalog can be found here, as well as instructions for accessing dissertations in the new catalog here.
Online and Extended Studies
The Office of Online and Extended Studies offers administrative support services, student success initiatives, and innovation for current students and faculty in Utica University's suite of online and non-traditional programs. They can be reached at (315) 792-3826. Prospective online students should visit programs.online.jmswierski.com or call (866) 295-3016.
Registrar's Office
The Office of the Registrar is the official keeper of students' academic records. This includes the academic calendar, course registrations, academic transcripts, enrollment verification, and awarding degrees. A number of forms, procedures, and resources for students and faculty are available on their website.
Smarthinking
Smarthinking is an online tutoring service that is available to Utica University students. It provides tutoring in a variety of subjects, some of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some of the services included are connecting and live interaction with a tutor, submit writing assignments to the Online Writing Lab, and submitting questions to be answered by a tutor.
Student Financial Services
The Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) provides a variety of different services from assisting students with information regarding their account, billing questions, the tuition refund policy, and financial aid questions. Bills can be viewed and paid online via the SFS website and within BannerWeb. Students should contact SFS for up-to-date information on tuition and fees. If you have questions about how to finance your academic career at Utica University, we encourage you to contact the Office of Student Financial Services, located in 117 Hubbard Hall.
Writing Resources
The Guide to Graduate Level Writing presentation will help you learn the difference between graduate and undergraduate level writing; tips on choosing a topic, sources, drafts, editing and more.
Reflective writing is when the student makes connections between readings and classroom experiences and explains how they affect your thinking and practice. Find out more in this presentation.
Culminating Academic Experiences
EACH option must include objective gathering of information, analysis, interpretation, and judgment based on solid evidence. Specific requirements are determined by each academic department. Any of these options may include an oral presentation or defense, depending on the academic program.
Thesis *
- Original, independent research with creation of new knowledge or interpretations, often in anticipation of pursuing a doctoral degree
- May involve the use of human subjects (IRB approval needed)
- Only one student author
- Requires Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project forms (Implementation, Modification**, Completion)
- Submitted to the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies via www.etdadmin.com/utica
- Examples include: empirical studies, case studies
Capstone Project *
- Research focuses on the practical application of knowledge and theories and may involve the creation of new knowledge
- Doctoral programs shall include the production of a substantial report on original research, the investigation of a topic of significance to the field of study, or the production of an appropriate creative work insofar as it prepares the student to discover new knowledge that has practical application in the field
- May involve the use of human subjects (IRB approval needed)
- May have one student author or multiple student authors
- Submitted to the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies via www.etdadmin.com/utica
- Requires Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project forms (Implementation, Modification**, Completion)
- Examples include: Program Plan or Evaluation, Curriculum Development, Policy Analysis, Meta Analysis, Threat or Technology Assessment, Internship with in-depth write-up
* Committees must be chaired by a Utica University faculty member and at least one additional reader, usually a subject matter expert.
** Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project Modification form only required if there has been a change in a student's research topic or in committee membership.
*** Programs which are noted on the chart as completing a thesis or capstone project must submit the Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project forms and follow the ETD submission process.
Comprehensive Exam
- A written examination that focuses on testing the practical application of knowledge and theories
- Requires Comprehensive Exam Application and Completion forms
Portfolio/Dossier
- Students produce an artifact demonstrating competence in different areas of key standards within their profession
- Components may include an explanation of why the particular artifact was chosen, research-based background information regarding the importance of the competency areas (similar to a Literature Review), a personal reflection on their experience, and an educational tool relevant to the professional field such as a presentation, program, or curriculum
- Documented as met upon successful completion of a course(s) containing multiple components demonstrating competence
This is a general guide intended to inform a graduate student's progress through a thesis or capstone project at Utica University. The steps, however, may vary slightly depending on the student's academic program and committee chair.
To complete a thesis/capstone project, a student typically follows a series of steps through two phases. The first phase is the planning phase and the second phase is the production phase. The steps are explained in detail below with a flow chart at the end that will provide a visual overview of the entire process. Students should think of the capstone project as at least a one-semester undertaking and the thesis as at least a two-semester undertaking; depending on a number of other factors, it could take longer. Any forms mentioned on this page are also available under the Forms link to the left.
Step 1.
The student may need to register for the research course if applicable, identify a thesis/capstone project topic, and recruit a thesis/capstone project committee chair (in some programs the chair is the instructor of the related course). The committee chair will advise the research committee and student (see Roles of the Student and Committee Members). The committee chair must be a faculty member of Utica University.
- The student and the thesis/capstone project committee chair will work together to recruit the other members to be included on the committee.
- Once the committee has been established and the general research topic determined, the Graduate Thesis/ Capstone Project Implementation Form must be completed and submitted to the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies (one form per student if a group project).
Step 2.
Once the committee has been formed and the Office of Graduate & professional Studies has received the Implementation Form, the student typically writes a thesis/capstone project proposal or concept paper. The proposal may be as short as a few paragraphs or many pages. If the research involves human subjects, the student may need to obtain approval from the Institution Review Board (IRB), which is done at this step.
- The proposal typically addresses the issue, problem or question being investigated (what is the problem, why is it important, what is the gap in existing literature); provides a description of the research methodology (what are you going to do and how); and includes a preliminary bibliography or literature review.
- The proposal must be approved and signed off by the chair of the thesis/capstone project committee and all other members.
- Once the Implementation form is approved if there are any changes to the committee members or research topic the student will need to submit a Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project Modification Form, one form per student, only required if there has been a change in a student's research topic or in committee membership (fillable form - please type)
Step 3.
Once the proposal has been approved, the student may need to register for the second research course if applicable. If there is no research course for the student's program and all other coursework has been completed, the student must register for Continuous Enrollment (this is done through the Office of the Registrar) and must continue to register for Continuous Enrollment until the thesis/capstone project is completed.
- While working on the thesis/capstone project research and writing, the student should consult regularly with the thesis/capstone project chair and possibly need to share drafts with all members of the thesis/capstone project committee. No grade will be awarded for thesis/capstone project until the thesis/capstone project has been approved by the committee.
- Depending on the student's timeline, a Graduate Application for Degree must be submitted by the deadline (see Graduation Deadlines link to the left) during the semester in which the student anticipates graduating.
Step 4.
Once all edits have been made and the committee has approved all thesis/capstone project work, the Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project Completion Form must be completed. The student must then ensure that the final draft of the thesis/capstone project meets Utica University's formatting requirements (it is recommended that the paper be written from the beginning using the style and formatting requirements) - see the Formatting and Submission Guide. The Completion form (one form per student if a group project) is submitted to the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies. The thesis or capstone project should be submitted through ProQuest and the paper must be in accordance with the Formatting and Submission Guide and by the applicable deadline (see Graduation Deadlines link to the left). Student wishing to purchase a personal bound copy to keep, s/he must following the instructions through ProQuest. Please note that a degree cannot be awarded until the successful completion and submission of a thesis/capstone project (or other Culminating Academic Experience) is on file with the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies.
The main source of support for doing a thesis or capstone project will be the student's committee chair. However, additional support and a variety of resources are also available for every student.
Suggestions and Tips
- Choose a topic that you are passionate about. A thesis or capstone project is a significant time commitment, so you want to ensure that it is something that will keep you motivated.
- If an option, choose a committee advisor that has some expertise in the area that your thesis or capstone project will explore.
- Start writing in the appropriate format and style guide requirements from the beginning; it's much easier than stressing about it at the end when you're up against a deadline. Actually, starting to write all papers in the appropriate format and style guide requirements from the time you start graduate school is even better!
- Your thesis or capstone project might change along the way, and there is nothing wrong with that. Reshaping your ideas based on your research will only improve your paper. Please keep in mind that, depending on the changes, additional time/courses may be needed.
- Set a time limit on your research. Do not exhaust the research and only leave a short amount of time for the writing process.
- Try to write some every day - at least 30 minutes a day.
- Find the time of day when you are at your best for writing and try to write during that time.
- Having writer's block? Pick a section or topic within your paper and just start writing. Sometimes starting in the middle of a section or topic can help. Sometimes starting with words or phrases that come to mind rather than trying to write complete sentences works. Before long, you'll find that coherent sentences and entire paragraphs start forming!
- If you're struggling with the appropriate format and style guide requirements, it's OK to hire a professional editor.
Style Guide Resources
Each graduate program determines which style guide or style manual (e.g., APA, MLA, AMA) must be followed when writing a thesis or capstone project. A style guide is used to ensure consistency throughout a document and provides guidance on formatting, organization, and how to cite references, but it also may go further and provide guidance on ethical writing and how to write clearly.
APA
- Official APA Style Guide site - provides the basics and quick answers from the source
- Utica University Library's Citing Your Sources site - provides links to a quick guide and full guide
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) - a wonderful secondary APA resource
MLA
- Utica University Library's Citing Your Sources site - provides links to a quick guide and full guide
- Official MLA Style Guide site
- Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) - a wonderful MLA resource
AMA
- Utica University Library's Citing Your Sources site - provides links to a quick guide and full guide
- Official AMA Style Guide site
Frank E. Gannett Memorial Library
Where better to start a thesis or capstone project than at the Library. The Utica University Library has an array of services that support both online and campus based students. To help get you started there is a Student Services page. Here you will learn how to find and distinguish articles, request a book, and even get one-on-one help from a Librarian. If you need help starting your research, check out the Research Guide.
The library also maintains a PDF version of theses/capstone projects since 2006 where the author submitted an electronic version and the requisite permissions. These PDF files are available online for anyone to view through the Library's libguide page and can be searched by title, author, program, or specific keywords.
* The following Utica graduate programs can be searched for within the word or phrase box:
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science
- Economic Crime Management
- Education
- Financial Crime and Compliance Management
- Health Care Administration
- Liberal Studies
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
Smarthinking
Smarthinking is an online tutoring service that is available to Utica University students. It provides tutoring in a variety of subjects, some of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some of the services included are connecting and live interaction with a tutor, submit writing assignments to the Online Writing Lab, and submitting questions to be answered by a tutor.
If there are other services that you need that are not listed in the above links, please contact the Center for Student Success at 315.792.3179 or studentsuccess@jmswierski.com.
Graduate students must submit their final, approved thesis/capstone project to the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies electronically by the submission deadline for the term in which they wish to graduate. Not all graduate programs at Utica University require students to write a thesis or capstone project. For programs that do require a thesis or capstone project or for students who choose one of those options (if allowed), however, it must be submitted via this process and will be made publicly available online.
ETD is a service of ProQuest Databases. Once accepted by the college thesis and capstone projects will be published through ProQuest. Active Utica University students can access the ProQuest Databases through the Utica University Library website. Published thesis and capstone projects are also available through ProQuest to any individual or organization with a full subscription to ProQuest databases. Please note publication time can take 6-8 weeks from the time of acceptance.
- Follow the instructions in the Formatting and Submission Guide
- Use the Utica University Thesis/ Capstone Project Template
- The thesis or capstone project title should be informative and concise, no more than 175 characters including spaces, using upper and lower case letters, formatted in an inverted pyramid.
- Ensure submissions are completed by the deadline for the term in which you wish to graduate - see Graduation Deadlines tab in the previous section.
- Complete a Graduate Thesis/Capstone Project Completion Form. Once your committee members have approved the thesis or capstone project, a PDF version will be sent to you via email. This PDF must be uploaded as a supplemental file in the ETD site.
- Create an ETD account (this is a new account and separate from your Utica login)
- Upload a PDF file of your approved capstone to the ETD site and SUBMIT by the deadline
- Instructions for how to use the online submission system can be found here
- Instructions on how to convert your file to a .pdf can be found here
Submit Thesis / Capstone Project Here
The Resources & Guidelines tab within the ETD Administrator site may answer many of your questions, both Utica-specific and ETD Administrator-related, regarding such topics as creating PDFs, embedding fonts, subject categories, and copyright. Please check that site for answers to your questions before contacting the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies. The formatting requirements outlined in the Formatting and Submission Guide supersede any guidelines on the ETD Administrator website.
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