Residency Information
All students enrolled in non-executive online master's degree programs begin their first year of study with a 9-day required residency on the Syracuse University campus in July. During this time, students complete the introductory course required for their degree and are oriented to the program and the school. Some programs and individual courses have additional residency requirements.
Required Residencies for Students Enrolled in Online Programs
Residencies provide online students with a foundational connection to the school that will enable them to excel throughout their program. During the initial residency:
- Students are oriented to the course technology that will allow them to complete the rest of their program online
- Students complete core program activities that are challenging to duplicate online (e.g., hands-on labs, conference-style poster presentation session)
- Students meet and bond with their cohort group
- Students network with each other and with iSchool faculty and staff members
- Students have the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of the school
- Students familiarize themselves with the University and the Syracuse area
Please note that all residency requirements for programs and for individual courses are mandatory. Students are strongly encouraged to consider their schedule before registering for a course with a required residency. If the student is not able to attend, the course must be dropped.
Online Learning Environment
Students should expect that online courses with residency components will begin either with the start of the required residency or with the the start of the semester -- whichever comes first. Information on pre-residency assignments is posted in advance within the online learning section of the iSchool Learning Management System (iLMS). Assignments may include readings, written work, and participation on iLMS prior to the residency. Most residency sessions take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the scheduled dates, however, students are advised to check the specific requirements for each course in which you enroll.
Regnier Summer Institute
The introductory residency is held during the school's
Helen Benning Regnier Summer Institute on Leadership and Change in an Information Society. Summer Institute courses meet daily for two, five, or seven days. Students may pick electives during the Summer Institute based on their schedules and interests. We do not recommend that incoming online students take additional Summer Institute coursework during their first summer of study, and we do recommend that all students avoid a heavy course load during the summer regardless of the stage they are at in their program.
Accommodations
During the
summer semester, housing is available in Syracuse University residence halls. Students can stay in single or double rooms equipped with a microwave and refrigerator. Meal plans are not provided during the summer sessions, although dining halls and restaurants are within walking distance of campus.
During the fall and spring semesters, discounted rates are available at hotels located within walking distance of the University.
Summer housing on campus costs approximately $100-150 per week. Housing in local hotels for fall and spring semester residencies costs approximately $60-130 per night. Students should also consider the cost of textbooks, computer, Internet, and travel expenses.
Parking
Students staying at the
Sheraton can park at the Sheraton for a small fee. Complimentary parking is provided to students staying at the
Genesee Grande Hotel.
Students commuting to courses have various options available to them:
- students may park in the University Sheraton Hotel parking lot ($8/day)
- students may purchase parking passes from SU Parking Services
Students commuting to residency courses that meet at the University Sheraton Hotel may:
- park in the University Sheraton lot
- collect a parking ticket
- have the ticket validated at the front desk (Payments must be made in cash.)