*Please note, this EAP course is not eligible to count as credit toward your Elliott School graduate program.
Month: September 2015
Completing Your Initial Plan of Study
Attention students who began programs this fall: Your Plan of Study is due October 15th.
The Plan of Study outlines the degree requirements for each Elliott School graduate program. This is an evolving document, and we expect you to make changes and updates to your plan as you progress through your program. But you should fill out the plan of study completely with your best guess of the classes you intend to take and the semesters in which you will take them.
The Process
- Locate your program’s plan of study on the Elliott School website under Forms & Applications.
- Review your program’s curriculum using the Elliott School website.
- Using blue or black ink, or typing directly into the form (save a copy to your desktop first), enter complete course information and the semester you intend to complete each course on the form in the appropriate space.
- Submit your form to your program director for review. If you plan to meet with your program director to discuss your plan, we strongly encourage doing this well in advance of the October 15 deadline.
- Deliver your completed plan of study, signed by your Program Director, to the Office of Academic Advising and Student Services (1957 E Street NW, Suite 302). You do not need an appointment to submit your plan of study (you are of course welcome to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor if you have questions). You can also email your Plan of Study to your academic advisor.
- Your plan of study will be reviewed by your Academic Advisor. Once reviewed, you will receive an electronic copy of your plan of study. This process can take up to 3 weeks. Therefore, we encourage you to complete your plan of study and submit it to Academic Advising in advance of the deadline. All plans received on or before the October 15 deadline will be returned to students before Spring 2016 registration begins.
Failure to submit a completed plan of study, signed by your Program Director, by October 15th will result in an administrative hold on your account which will prevent you from registering for Spring classes. Forms received after the deadline are subject to this hold. If the plan is received late, we will do our best to remove the hold as soon as possible, but this will not happen immediately.
September Spotlight on: David Okun
David is a second year in the M.A. Latin American and Hemispheric Studies program and a Brazil Initiative Fellow, with specializations in Security and Economic Development. He serves as an editor on the GWU International Affairs Review, was an Orientation Leader this summer, and is active in the DC performing arts community.
While at the Elliott School, he has interned with Freedom House; the Organization of American States; and the State Department as a summer intern and currently as a Pathways Intern.
Prior to grad school, David taught in a bilingual classroom in Texas through Teach For America. David graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012 with bachelor's degrees in Spanish and International Affairs.
Policy Reminder: Using Language Courses to Count Toward Your MA Degree
Most of our MA programs require students to demonstrate proficiency in a modern foreign language. Some students choose to take language courses as preparation to meet the language requirement. If you are considering taking a language course, please review the following policy on how many credits of language coursework, if any, can count toward the 40 credits required for your degree:
Regional Programs: With Program Director approval, graduate students in regional programs can apply a maximum of 6 credits of advanced, content based courses (i.e., not language acquisition courses) toward their degree.
Non-Regional Programs (*except SPS, ISTP, IDS): With Program Director approval, graduate students can apply a maximum of 6 credits of language courses toward the electives. In consultation with the student, the Program Director will determine which level language course and how many credits of language are appropriate for the student’s Plan of Study.
SPS, ISTP, IDS: No foreign language credits can be applied toward the graduate degree unless approved by Program Director under special circumstances.
Students are welcome to take language courses in addition to their required 40 credits. Please note, language courses are not accepted as transfer credit.
Apply for the International Dialogue Program
Applications are being accepted for the International Dialogue Program! This is a unique tutor program and only for international graduate students at the Elliott School.
Program Overview:
Each international student is matched with a local Elliott School graduate student tutor and commits to two hours a week of sessions. These sessions are free but you must commit to two hours per week.
Sessions are not held during Thanksgiving week, during finals, or winter break.
You choose your session topic! Students in the past have focused on:
- Presentation skills
- Academic writing
- Class participation
- Knowledge of American culture
Additional activities include a mixer to start off the program and occasional group outings.
Apply now to be matched with an Elliott School local student! Questions can be directed to Katherine Safon in International and Academic Initiatives at esintl@gwu.edu.
Workshop on Everyday English Program for International Students
International students: have you ever wondered how to start a conversation in English? Have you ever struggled to come up with topics when chatting with your American friends? Have you ever felt lost in communicating your thoughts, medical needs, or even food orders? Have you ever worried about making phone calls?
If you are an international student looking to better your conversational English in daily-life settings, the International Student Community (ISC) and GW Language Center invite you to join the Workshop on Everyday English program.
This program is designed for international students with focus on conversational English in non-academic settings (e.g. daily interactions and workplaces). With workshops covering different topics, you will become more confident in speaking English and understand more about culture in the U.S. In addition, we hope you will also make great friends in our social events!
First Session:
Friday, September 4th, 4pm-6pm
Language Center classroom, Philips Hall 209
Followed by an optional social gathering with ISC E-Board members in various DC restaurants at your own expense
Please RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1flhzGQAzKfuHRToaImeVpMH156c1KdPG9NTJgtYjJ5Q/viewform
