January 9, 2024

Welcome new graduate students and welcome back returning students!

As we begin a new calendar year and the winter quarter, the Graduate College would like to remind you of a few important academic dates, deadlines, policies and resources to help you navigate your graduate studies. We recommend you bookmark this information for future reference.

Graduate College Operations

The Graduate College office on the third floor of the Main Building (Main 301) is generally open for student services between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Students should check in using their DragonCard ID at the digital kiosk located at the front desk or contact graduatecollege@drexel.edu for assistance. Please expect 1-2 business days for an email response. We offer complimentary filtered cold and hot water, tea, coffee and hot chocolate for graduate students during office hours. Just bring your own reusable cup or mug!

The Graduate Student Lounge on the lower level of Main Building (Main 010A) is open 24/7 and accessible to all graduate students via your DragonCard ID. Students are welcome to use the lounge for quiet social gathering, meeting, studying, eating and events. Please discard all trash, especially food items, and keep the lounge clean and furniture organized as you found it. Please alert the Graduate College of any issues, spills or food items left behind so we can request cleaning or maintenance ASAP. More information about the lounge, including how to reserve it, is available on the Graduate College website. New students will receive access to the lounge during their first week of classes.

Academic Dates & Deadlines

Please refer to the Academic Calendars on the Provost’s website frequently for all academic dates and deadlines which are subject to change. You should also consult with your individual college or school officials and assigned graduate academic advisor(s) for additional dates, deadlines and requirements for your program. 

Winter Quarter Dates & Deadlines:

Monday, Jan. 8 – Winter Quarter Classes Begin 
Friday, Jan. 12 by 4 p.m. EST – Deadline to Add/Drop a Course with Academic Advisor Assistance* 
Friday, Jan. 12 – Deadline to Confirm Your Enrollment in your DrexelOne 
Sunday, Jan. 14 by 11:59 p.m. EST – Deadline to Add/Drop a Course via DrexelOne* 
Monday, Jan. 15 – New students only: Deadline to complete Graduate College Graduate Student Online Orientation (see email from Jan. 2) 
Monday, Jan. 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (University Holiday) 
Monday, Feb. 5 – Deadline to Submit an Application for Degree in your DrexelOne for Winter Quarter Graduation 
Monday, Feb. 12 – New students only: Deadline to complete Graduate Student Online Title IX Training (see email from Jan. 2) 
Week of Feb. 12 – Spring Quarter Registration Begins (Review Your Time Ticket Information) 
Friday, Feb. 23 – Deadline to Withdraw from a Course with Academic Advisor Assistance* 
Saturday, March 16 – Last Day of Classes* 
Monday, March 18 – Term Examinations Begin* 
Saturday, March 23 – Term Examinations End* 
Saturday, March 23 – Winter Quarter Degree Conferral Date (Date that appears on diploma) 
Friday, March 29 – Academic Standing Notices Go Out (See Graduate Academic Standing Policy) 
Monday, April 1 – Spring Quarter Classes Begin 
Wednesday, April 3 by 4 p.m. EDT - Deadline to submit a Graduate Program Completion Form for doctoral candidates, and some Master’s thesis candidates, graduating in Winter Quarter 
Please note that all PhD and most professional doctoral programs should follow the E Forms process outlined on our website while a few professional doctorates should follow the original D Forms process until further notice. Please also note that some programs may have EARLIER deadlines. 
 
*For part-of-term and semester dates and deadlines, please refer to Drexel’s Academic Calendars. 

Academic Policies & Procedures 

Please refer to the academic policies and procedures listed on both the Provost’s and Graduate College websites. Additional policies are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, including the Academic Integrity policy and conduct process. All students MUST be aware of and knowledgeable of these policies and procedures. Please review frequently for updates. 

International students (F-1 and J-1) should refer to the latest updates, policies and information on the International Students & Scholars Services (ISSS) website. All international students must have any foreign travel approved by ISSS before leaving the country to remain compliant with their visa status. 

Are you traveling out of the country this term? Will you be taking a Drexel issued laptop and related devices abroad? If so, please contact Drexel University Export Control Compliance in the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) at export@drexel.edu. 

Please familiarize yourself with the following academic policies and procedures: 

- Academic Standing: Graduate Students – Academic Standing is calculated each term that a student is registered for classes and is based on both the term and cumulative GPA. The cumulative GPA is calculated using all prior terms of graduate enrollment at Drexel. A student’s academic standing is reflected on their permanent academic transcript. A graduate student must maintain a minimum 3.00 term and cumulative GPA to progress toward graduation. Please note that individual programs may set higher standards. Please click on the policy for definitions, actions and requirements.

- Academic Integrity Pertaining to Artificial Intelligence 

- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) 

- Course Program of Study (CPoS) & FAQs 

- Grades Policy: Graduate Students 

- Incomplete Grade Policy & Contract 

- Grade Appeals Procedure  

- Course Repeat Policy: Graduate Students 

- Leave of Absence Policy 

- Graduation Requirements  

- Religious Observances Policy & Calendar 

- Vacation Policy for PhD and Doctoral-Level Students

Resources and Opportunities

- Review Campus Maps & Locations and plan ahead so you arrive at your scheduled classes on time. 

- Review various transportation options and the Drexel shuttle bus schedules. 

- Get acquainted with your DrexelOne portal and Drexel Learn, Drexel’s fully-supported learning management system (LMS). For questions about Learn or trainings and workshops, contact the Instructional Technology Group (ITG) at itg@drexel.edu. You can also view tutorials on YouTube and read their blog. 

- Visit Drexel University’s Information Technology (DUIT) website to get connected or contact the Help Desk for assistance at 215.895.2020 or helpdesk@drexel.edu. For issues with your Drexel email or accounts, contact accounts@drexel.edu. 

- Learn more about utilizing your student Microsoft Office 365 account, including email and apps. 

- Review Drexel’s Information Security team resources, best practices and available training. 

- Protect yourself and others against cyberthreats such as phishing and job scams. Take the Drexel University Security Training (D.U.S.T) training and receive your SANS security training certificate! Access the training at https://drexel.litmos.com/. For any security related questions, please contact informationsecurity@drexel.edu. 

- Review the information on the Public Safety website, including campus safety tips, how to request a walking escort and emergency phone numbers you should save in your phone. 

- Register for an upcoming Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC) workshops, including drop-in resume review and prep for the Engineering & Technology Career Fair in person on Tuesday, Jan. 30 and online Wednesday, Jan. 31 and Spring Career Fair in April.

- Visit the Drexel University Libraries website for a virtual orientation and resources. 

- The Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides academic support and resources for graduate students, both on campus and online, through the Center for Learning and Academic Success Services (CLASS) (see upcoming workshops), English Language Center (ELC), and academic partners. 

- The Drexel Writing Center (DWC) provides support through its Graduate Writing Consultants (GWCs) for all writing projects. Make an appointment online or become a GWC! Have a long-term writing project, such as a thesis or dissertation? For more information or to get started, email Elizabeth Kimball, University Writing Program Director, at ek674@drexel.edu. 

- Students seeking information or accommodations for a documented disability should register with Disability Resources. 

- Review important policies and reporting protocols from the Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture (EIC) and learn more about the Graduate College’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) and Diversity Advisory Council. 

- Review Drexel’s compliance and privacy services and compliance hotline and website. 

- Invited to present your work at a meeting or conference? Apply for a GSA's Graduate Student Travel Subsidy Award. Unfortunately, poster presentations are not eligible at this time. 

- Browse DragonLink for a list of recognized student organizations and upcoming events hosted by student organizations. 

- Don’t miss the monthly DrexelNOW graduate student newsletter edition for the latest graduate-specific news, events and opportunities. Follow DrexelNOW on social media too! 

- Stay up-to-date on the latest Professional Buzz - a blog warehousing relevant information, tips and tools for students and professionals looking for career development and advice. The blog is written and curated by Associate Dean of the Graduate College, Anne Converse Willkomm. 

- More Graduate College News & Events- Check back periodically for updates!

Take Care and Be Well

Remember, you must be well to do well. Information about available health and wellness resources for graduate students is outlined on the Graduate College website, including information about the Office of Counseling and Health Services and SupportLinc, Drexel’s Employee Assistance Program, a free 24/7 confidential and professional service for support, guidance, counseling, and resources which is available to graduate students and their families and household members at no additional cost. 

Effective January 1, 2024, the Graduate Student Association is offering the Health Insurance Deductible Subsidy Program to assist eligible graduate students enrolled in Drexel’s student health insurance plan to reimburse their out-of-pocket deductible payment for services from the current plan year. We encourage you to utilize your health insurance plan for well visits and other appointments as necessary. For questions about your student health insurance coverage, contact the Office of Health Insurance and Immunizations. 

Please also refer to the Health & Well-Being at Drexel website for information about campus health and counseling programs and so much more to support your wellbeing. And, check out Drexel University Libraries’ LibGuides for ideas for how to relieve stress and maintain intellectual wellness. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Graduate College if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to support you throughout your graduate education at Drexel. Stop by soon for a complimentary cup of coffee or hot chocolate and browse our monthly displays. 

Best wishes for a successful term!