FAQs

All Students

What do I do if I want to dispute a grade? Always talk to your professor first for an explanation of how the grade was determined. If you are still unsatisfied, see Ian MacInnes, associate dean for academic affairs, or Robert Heckman, senior associate dean for academic affairs.
How do I register a complaint about an instructor or staff member? If you have a concern about the behavior of an instructor or staff member (such as sexual harassment, rudeness) or general concerns about the way a class is going, please see Ian MacInnes, associate dean for academic affairs, or Robert Heckman, senior associate dean for academic affairs.
How do I appeal a charge of academic dishonesty? Speak with the professor of the class where the charge occurred. If you still feel you have been charged unfairly, meet with Ian MacInnes, associate dean for academic affairs, or Robert Heckman, senior associate dean for academic affairs.
How do I appeal an academic suspension? You must appeal in writing to your program director by the deadline included in your letter informing you of the suspension. For undergraduates, this is Dave Molta. For graduate students, please contact Jose Tavares for the appropriate program director.
How do I drop a course after the academic drop deadline? You need a Petition for Withdrawal signed by your home college. See Jose Tavarez if you are a graduate student. See Elaine Morgan if you are an undergraduate student.
I want to withdraw from school. Who do I see? Undergraduates must see Elaine Morgan or David Molta. You will need to complete the Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Form. See Jose Tavarez if you are a graduate student.
What are the department TOEFL/GRE codes? TOEFL 90 / GRE 4701
What is the Syracuse University institution code for the graduate application? 2823
How do I get on a course waiting list? To add yourself to a course waitlist, use the button found at the bottom of the School of Information Studies course schedules page. If you have any questions, see Bridget Crary.
How do I get permission to register for a School of Information Studies course? Undergraduates should see Elaine Morgan and graduate students should see Bridget Crary or Jose Tavarez to be given permission for a course or put on a waiting list. How do I subscribe/unsubscribe to a program listserv? Please see the listservs section of our site.
How do I find out if my grade has been changed? Check MySlice. If the grade has not been changed please see Bridget Crary or Elaine Morgan directly.

Undergraduate Students

What are the requirements for my degree? Requirements for your degree are found in the Undergraduate Advising Handbook that you were given when you began your program. If you did not receive the handbook, please stop by the Undergraduate Support Services office or give us a call at 315-443-6137.
It is very important to read the Undergraduate Handbook. Questions about degree requirements can also be directed to the undergraduate academic counselor in the Undergraduate Support Services Office, Hinds Hall room 114.
If I need to flag some courses, who should I see? Elaine Morgan will process the flag petition.
How do I register for an independent study? Students may register for an independent study by completing a Proposal for Independent Study Form. This form requires the signature of the faculty member sponsoring the independent study and the student. Other signatures needed on the form can be obtained from Elaine Morgan. The form must be submitted to the Student Records Office, 106 Steele Hall, for full-time students and to: University College 700 University Avenue for part-time students. The registration is pending until the completed form has been submitted. Since the Proposal for independent study form is required to register for Independent Study, registration for the course cannot be done online.
What is my School of Information Studies GPA? Elaine Morgan will calculate the School of Information Studies GPA for you.
How do I register? Elaine Morgan can assist you with registration. You can also check on MySlice.
Where do I go for a Petition to the Faculty form? You can pick up a Petition to the Faculty form in the School of Information Studies Undergraduate Support Services Office . Consult with Elaine Morgan.
What should I do if I have personal issues I can't deal with? We are here to help give you direction. Make an appointment with Elaine Morgan.
Who should I check with to make sure my requirements are met for graduation? Elaine Morgan
Who is my faculty advisor? Ask Elaine Morgan
Can I change my faculty advisor? Certainly, at any time! A simple Change of Advisor form (pdf : 30.3k), available from the Student Services Office, may be filled out and turned in to Elaine Morgan
When should I see my academic advisor? You should see your academic advisor - Elaine Morgan, at least once every semester.
Who do I see for my senior check? You need to complete your senior check by December 1st. Call Elaine Morgan for an appointment.
Who do I see for my junior check? You need to complete your junior check in the spring semester of your junior year. Call Elaine Morgan for an appointment.
If I want to transfer out of the School of Information Studies , what do I do? See Elaine Morgan.
How do I take a leave of absence or withdraw from the University? Please see Elaine Morgan, 114-H, Hinds Hall. An exit interview with the associate dean may be requested.
I would like to be a peer advisor, what do I do? Contact Elaine Morgan and set up an appointment for an interview.
I want to be a TA for a class, what do I do? Come to the Undergraduate Support Services Office and pick up an undergraduate teaching assistant identification form. This form needs to be signed by the supervising faculty, your advisor, and David Molta. This form should be given to Bridget Crary for processing.
I'm in another college and I want to transfer into the School of Information Studies . What do I do? See Elaine Morgan and pick up a transfer application or download it here (pdf : 131k).
I would like to minor in the School of Information Studies , who should I talk to? Elaine Morgan will discuss the minor with you and give you a minor application form. (pdf : 105k)

Graduate Students

What are the requirements for my degree? Requirements for your degree are in the Advising Handbook that you received when you began your program. If you did not receive a copy of the handbook, please stop by the Graduate Student Support Office or give us a call at 315-443-6137. Please take some time to read the Advising Handbook. If you still have questions after reading the Handbook, please contact Jose Tavarez in the Student Services Office (114L Hinds Hall).
I would like to pursue another master's degree concurrently with my degree at the School of Information Studies . How many credits do I need to complete dual degrees? "In cases where two or more distinct master's degrees are to be awarded by Syracuse University to one student, the minimum number of credits needed must be at least 80% of the combined total of Syracuse credits normally required for each of the separate degrees." (Academic Rules and Regulations, 46.6) If you are enrolled in a 42-credit hour degree program such as Information Management, you must complete 33 credits in the School of Information Studies . In addition, you must complete 80 percent of the other degree's required credits.
How do I waive credit hours from my degree? Students in the IM program may file a Petition to Waive Credit Hours (IM and Exec IM) (pdf) to waive credits from their degree based on appropriate full-time professional experience. Detailed information on waiving credits can be found in the program-appropriate Advising Handbook. The waived credits reduce the credit hours needed to graduate. They do not appear on your Syracuse University transcript. The Petition to Waive Credit Hours form, along with a copy of your resume, must be turned in to Jose Tavarez. Jose will provide you with a preliminary assessment of the petition and then pass it along to the director of your degree program for final approval. A copy of the approved/denied petition will be mailed to the your mailing address, and a copy will be placed in your file to be included with the graduation paperwork for the Graduate School. The Petition to Waive Credit Hours is available from the Graduate Student Support Office, Hinds Hall 114. According to guidelines set by the American Library Association, credit cannot be waived for work or "life" experience in the MSLIS program.
How do I transfer credits to my School of Information Studies degree? How many credit hours may I transfer? Students in the MSLIS and TNM programs may be eligible to transfer up to 6 hours of graduate credit toward their degree. IM students may transfer up to 9 hours of graduate credit. Coursework must be directly relevant to the degree program, have been taken within 7 years of the date the student will receive the degree, must be graduate level, and must show a grade of "B" or better. A Petition to Transfer Credits (pdf : 66k) may be downloaded or obtained from the Student Services Office. An official transcript complete with a grade for the course(s) must be submitted to the Roberta Segreti in order to have the course(s) officially count towards the School of Information Studiess degree requirements.
How do I register for an independent study? Students may register for an Independent Study (IST 690) by completing a Proposal for Independent Study form, available from the Graduate Student Support Office. This form requires the signature of the faculty member sponsoring the independent study and the student. Other signatures needed on the form can be obtained from Jose Tavarez. The form must be submitted to the Student Records Office, 106 Steele Hall for full-time students, and to University College , 700 University Avenue for part-time students. The registration is pending until the completed form has been submitted. Since the Proposal for Independent Study form is required to register for an independent study, registration for the course cannot be done online.
When should I see my faculty advisor? Students are assigned a faculty advisor shortly after they have been admitted to the School of Information Studies . The faculty advisor serves as a mentor to the student for academic and professional development. You may see the faculty advisor for questions about specific course content, questions regarding which courses to take to fulfill a specific career goal, etc.
Can I change my faculty advisor? Certainly, at any time! A simple Change of Advisor Form (pdf : 30k) is all that is needed. The form is to be filled out and turned in to the Graduate Student Support Office. Paper copies of the form are also available at Graduate Student Support.
How do I take a leave of absence or withdraw from the University? Please see Jose Tavarez, Hinds Hall, 114 L. An exit interview with Robert Heckman, associate dean for academic affairs, may be requested.
How do I apply for School Library Media/Public Library Certification? An application for School Library Media or Public Library Certification may be obtained from Graduate Student Support. Please consult the MSLIS Advising Handbook for specific details.
What kinds of financial aid are available from The School of Information Studies ? How and when do I apply? Merit-based financial assistance is available to qualified matriculated graduate students from the School of Information Studies . These are: Graduate Assistantships (full-time PhD and master's students); Syracuse University Scholarships (full-time students) and grants toward tuition (full-time and part-time students). Deadlines for these merit-based awards are November 1st for the spring semester and March 1st for the summer/fall semesters. An Application for Graduate Awards (pdf : 98k) may be downloaded here and is available from Graduate Student Support. Visit our financial aid pages for more information.
What paperwork is required for graduation? Please see the graduation deadlines section of our web site.
Where do I inquire about the status of my application? Bridget Crary can tell you if your application has been received and its status.