Graduate Student Responsibilities

While your advisor, professors, and mentors have specific and significant roles in your education at GW, you — the student — have an equally significant role with specific responsibilities. Academic advising is a two-way street and you must be proactive in your relationship with your academic advisor. In the advising relationship, you are responsible for:

Learning your degree requirements. Elliott School curriculum and degree requirements are available online. It is your responsibility to check the website regularly for any updates.

Keeping track of your degree progress. You should regularly maintain and update your own advising file and academic checklist.

Making informed decisions. Your decisions should be based on your own interests and goals, the Elliott School curriculum, and University policies and procedures.

Taking action. You will be required to follow up on any academic or financial actions you have requested.

Planning ahead. Anticipate your short and long term needs, so that you may work with your advisor early and often, to prepare for and meet those needs as they arise.

Scheduling an appointment with your advisor. Whether required or desired, it is up to you to schedule your own advising appointments. This can be done by calling the office at 202.994.3002.

Communicating with your professors. Whether you are sick, struggling academically, expecting to miss class for work or religious reasons, or seeking career advice from a professor in the field, it is in your best interest to initiate communication with your professors. You can speak with them after class, make use of their office hours, or communicate by email.

Adding/Dropping courses. You must register for your own classes each semester. Likewise, you must drop or withdraw from a class you no longer wish to attend by the appropriate deadline. It is your responsibility to keep track of each semester's add/drop deadlines as posted on the Registrar's website.

Checking your GW Mail. Email is our principal means of communicating with you. If your GW Mail is not your primary account, please be sure to have your email forwarded so you receive all University updates.

Understanding and adhering to policies, regulations and procedures. The University Bulletin is updated each academic year. You must review all regulations and policies each year as they are subject to change.
University Regulations
Elliott School Rules and Policies
Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities