With its interdisciplinary design, the Core program provides an intellectual bridge between individual academic programs, addressing the Graduate School’s “core” values of creativity, commitment, and compassion through cross-disciplinary collaboration. It provides an opportunity for students to interact with faculty and staff from other programs.

Core for 2013-2014

Over the last two years, faculty at the graduate school have engaged in a deeply thoughtful process to re-envision our Core Program. The academic year 2013-2014 will be a transition year. During this transition period, the options you have for completing the Core Program requirement differ according to the time you began your program and the time you graduate. Each of you should fall into one of the following three groups:

(1)  If you are graduating in spring or summer 2013, your Core Program requirement stands as it did when you entered: two Core course credits.

(2)  If you are beginning your degree program in summer 2013 or thereafter, you will complete the new Core Program requirement described below. Please note: Core courses (for graduate credit) listed in the summer 2013 schedule will not fulfill your Core Program requirement.

(3)  If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not graduate in spring or summer 2013, you may: (a) fulfill the former Core Program requirement of two Core course credits; (b) fulfill the new Core Program requirements described below; or (c) combine a Core course credit with a Core unit described below. Core courses for credit will not be offered after summer 2013. Please note: the introduction of the new Core Program does change the number of semester hours required to complete your degree. Please review your plan with your advisor (the earlier the better), as your decision may create new opportunities for elective courses.

New Core Program Requirement

The new Core Program does not involve completing graduate courses for credit. The new Core Program requires that you complete three Core Units. One of these Core Units will be fulfilled by attendance at the Graduate School’s annual Convocation. This is required for all students enrolled in full-time master’s degree programs. There will be no charge to you for any of the Core Experiences in the new program, except in cases where special materials are required; in these cases there will be a materials fee and you will know this in advance of registration.

You will have a wide variety of options for completing the remaining two Core Units in the program and these options will vary from year to year. Before the beginning of the fall term each year, a list of Core Experience options will be listed on this webpage when they are available. Additions to this list may be made throughout the year, based on student input or new opportunities that arise. You will sign up for Core Experiences on a space-available basis at whatever time in your program of study makes sense for you. At the time you wish to graduate, you will need to have completed all three Core Units: Convocation, plus two other Core Experiences. Each Core Experience will be noted on your transcript and you will be able to track your progress through WebAdvisor, just as you can track your regular course work and other degree requirements.

Please consult with your program advisor for guidance and additional information as you consider your options in the new Core Program.

New Core Program Mission

(1)  The Core Program is rooted in the Graduate School’s commitment to equity and social justice in all the professional fields served by our students, faculty, and graduates.

(2)  Core offerings will engage current issues in the field through an interdisciplinary lens that brings professionals together across specific areas of preparation.

(3)  Participation in the Core Program will help build the capacity for resilience and renewal in the profession.