Archives: Policies, Procedures, and Requirements
Policies and expectations governing graduate education at Cornell are put forth by the Graduate School in the Graduate School’s Code of Legislation (Code) and by the university in various Cornell University policies. The articles listed below offer clarification on aspects of the Code and university policies that frequently elicit questions.
Additional rules and expectations are set by graduate fields in their graduate student handbooks. Consult the Fields of Study page to find handbooks for individual fields.
Tuition
Summary All registered students are charged tuition during each semester of the academic year. Tuition varies with field and degree program. University assistantships and fellowships generally include tuition. If…
Employment
Summary Limits With only a few exceptions, earning a Cornell graduate degree requires full-time study. An individual is considered a full-time student if he or she is registered, enrolled in…
In Absentia
You may apply for in absentia status to conduct approved research or study 100 miles or more away from the Cornell campus while still under the guidance of your special…
Health Leave
Summary Cornell recognizes that medical and mental health conditions can interfere with a student’s ability to be academically successful. Taking a health leave of absence (HLOA) provides students with a…
Leaves of Absence
Summary You may request a leave of absence for health, parental, or personal reasons. A leave pauses your student status, with the opportunity to return to your program at a…
Maternity and Paternity Options (Parental Accommodation)
Summary Cornell University graduate and professional students are eligible for parental accommodation to help balance the competing demands of academic and family life. Accommodation options vary with the student’s funding…
Paid Sick Leave for Assistantships
Summary Graduate assistants (TA, RA, GRA, GA) are eligible for a paid sick time benefit under New York State law. While students in assistantship positions often have considerable flexibility to…
Personal Leave of Absence
Summary Under certain circumstances, you may wish to take a personal leave of absence for a non-medical and non-children-related reason. Common reasons students take a personal leave include family situation,…
Academic Misconduct
Summary What constitutes academic misconduct? Intentionally misrepresenting your work or the work of others Falsifying or fabricating data or citations Forging academic documents Abusing confidentiality Retaliating against those who report alleged or suspected misconduct In Depth Academic misconduct…
Degree Requirements
Summary While Cornell graduate students have exceptional flexibility in shaping the direction of their studies, students should be aware of both administrative and academic requirements that may be imposed by…