Academies

What Are Academies?

Academies are non-credit-bearing short courses, taught by faculty and staff experts, designed to complement the knowledge, skills, and experiences graduate students gain in their academic programs. Interdisciplinary and interactive in nature, academies are typically semester-long programs consisting of 5-10 sessions, about 2 hours in length. 

Why Are They Useful?

• Students gain valuable knowledge, skills and experience with a topic that may not be typically covered explicitly in their graduate program. 
• Students identify practical strategies, tools and resources to help them immediately.
• Students interact with faculty mentors and graduate students from across the university to network and gain a broad and interdisciplinary perspective on a topic. 
• Students bolster their CV or resume.
• Students who complete an academy will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation at the annual Dean’s Reception, a milestone item for their transcripts and in some cases deliverables relevant to their current work.

Application Process

Applications for upcoming academies, along with their dates and relevant information are typically available about 2-3 months before the semester begins. All applications must be completed in full. Approval by a student’s faculty mentor, department chair or program director and must be emailed to Dean Beth Boehm and Director Michelle Rodems by the application deadline.