The Registrar will assign a faculty member to serve as your Academic Advisor during your first semester at Yale. MEM and MF students selected a short list of their preferred Academic Advisors before their first summer, and MESc and MFS students either selected or were assigned Academic Advisors during the admissions process.
The role of an Academic Advisor is to provide guidance for your overall program of study. This includes ensuring you fulfill course requirements as well as offer assistance on the selection and scheduling of courses based upon your past experiences, education, areas of academic interest, and professional goals. Because you are welcome to seek professional advice from any YSE faculty member, it is not crucial that the expertise of your Academic Advisor corresponds with your area of professional interest. Additionally, MEM students also have access to guidance from their respective Specialization/Learning Community Coordinator.
After a student’s first semester, one may switch advisors pending their signed consent.
By February 15 of the second semester, students must identify a faculty member and formalize an advising relationship for the rest of the time at Yale. Note that the faculty advisor does not have to be the project advisor–but it would be encouraged to link academic and project advising.
All students in the master’s programs must register for courses using the online registration system, the Yale Hub, within the registration period for the fall and spring terms. If a student withdraws from a course by midterm, then the transcript does not show that the student has been enrolled in the course.
The Add/Drop period starts the day classes begin and runs approximately two weeks, check the academic calendar for specific dates. An exception is made for those courses that have varying start dates — students may add/drop these courses for a one-week period after the course(s) start date. Please use the Online Add/Drop forms.
A Project Course is a master’s project, independent study course, or for MESc/MFS students; Research Thesis Course Numbers with an YSE faculty member. The faculty member does not have to be your academic advisor except for MESc/MFS students. Course numbers are listed in the Yale course search site. You should register for your project courses during the normal registration period. A Project Course Description Form with the signature of the faculty with whom you are doing the project must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the Add/Drop Period. Students who will be receiving course credit toward their degree, shall not also be compensated in any way by any organization, company, group, or individual.
If a student withdraws from a course after midterm but before the first day of reading period (whether or not that particular course observes reading period), the transcript records the course and shows the designation “W” (Withdrew). International students should be aware that their visa status requires them to maintain 12 credits per term, with the exception of their last term at YSE. See the academic calendar for specific dates.
If you are an international student, you are required to check in at the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS, 421 Temple St) with your immigration documents, and attend an orientation prior to registering and enrolling in Yale courses. The OISS check-in and orientation will cover basic information about your immigration status and responsibilities, and provide you resources for a smooth transition to your life in the U.S. and at Yale. Please make sure to check the OISS website for more details.
Master’s students who wish to pursue their research through a six-month or one-year internship are permitted to do so and are considered enrolled on a full-time basis (students are entitled to continue membership in the Health Plan and defer student loans). Upon return, the student will register as a full-time student and pay tuition for the period needed to complete their degree requirements. Students may not register for regular course work while on continuous registration status. A fee of $3,250 per term will be charged to the student wishing continuing registration status.