The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs (FGPA) is operating remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our staff continue to work diligently in responding to your electronic correspondence. We are happy to help. If you have a question, please do not hesitate to email us at graduate_studies@carleton.ca.
For other FAQs relating to COVID-19 and Carleton University, please visit Carleton’s COVID-19 website.
FAQs
Academic Programs
Fall 2020 Academic Programs
I have a question related to my research. Where can I go for help? |
The Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services has prepared this list of FAQs. You may also want to talk with your research supervisor. |
Winter 2021 Academic Programs
Has the university released any plans yet for the 2021 winter term? |
Sept. 29, 2020: Last week the Carleton Senate officially confirmed the recommendation of the Carleton University Scenario Planning (CUSP) Working Group that the winter semester proceed online, with some leeway for selected optional instruction on campus (e.g. specific labs, capstone projects, recitals) if circumstances allow. In other words, we will essentially be following a similar approach for the winter term as we did for the fall term.
July 15/20: As course registration has begun for the Fall and Fall/Winter terms, we must start looking ahead to the next major milestone: planning for the Winter 2021 term. We remain hopeful that it will be possible to welcome some students back to campus in January; however, it seems very unlikely that the pandemic will be fully resolved by then. In planning for Winter 2021, we must remain responsive to evolving public health guidelines. We will continue to be guided by the key principles outlined by the Carleton University Scenario Planning working group, and we will continue to place the health and well-being of students, staff, faculty and the broader community above all other considerations. If public health restrictions are eased such that some face-to-face instruction could resume, we recognize that many students may not be able – or may not be comfortable – to return to campus. Course instructors have been advised to develop their Winter 2021 term courses in a manner that will allow them to be delivered remotely. If Carleton University is able to offer face-to-face instruction in the Winter 2021 term, some courses may be available to graduate students in face-to-face format; remote delivery, however, will likely remain the primary mode of instruction. We remain hopeful that we will be able to partially reopen our physical spaces over the coming months and offer some on-campus activities when it is safe to do so. In particular, graduate students who have program elements – notably memoirs and theses – requiring specialized research facilities will be contacted, when their lab or research space is ready to safely open. These are challenging times, but the Carleton community is committed to continuing to support you in every step of your academic journey. Patrice Smith Dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs |
International Students
Who can help me with an immigration question such as study or work permits? |
The International Student Services Office (ISSO) has certified Immigration Advisors who can provide guidance to students. You can contact the ISSO at isso@carleton.ca. You can also review the ISSO’s FAQ website by clicking here. |
Is there any special financial assistance for international PhD students? |
Yes but only due to the pandemic or an emergency. |
I am an international graduate student and I have some questions about my status. Where can I go for help? |
At this time, the International Student Services Office (ISSO) is providing services remotely during their regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday). The best way to connect with the ISSO is by email. You should receive a reply to your inquiry within 2-4 business days. There are several FAQs available on the ISSO’s website that provide useful information. |
I am a Graduate student with questions about why UHIP coverage during the Summer Term. What should I do? |
For graduate students registered in a degree program, your UHIP coverage will be valid until August 31, 2020 whether or not you enroll in the Summer Term. This includes graduate students who take a Leave of Absence in the summer term.
However, if you are registered as a Special student, your UHIP coverage is valid only for the term(s) you are enrolled in classes. For example, if you are registered in Winter term classes as a Special student, your UHIP will expire April 30, 2020. If/when you register for summer classes, your UHIP will be reinstated for the period May 1 to August 31, 2020. Kindly note that UHIP does not cover the cost of prescription drugs, and dental and vision care. These are offered through the supplemental plans with the Graduate Student Association (GSA), and students should consult with them directly about how non-registration may impact coverage. |
Convocation
What is happening with Fall 2020 Convocation? |
You can join Carleton President Benoit Antoine Bacon on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 at 1 p.m. ET for an online celebration of our Fall 2020 graduates! Details are available on the Convocation web page. |
Funding
How do I get an extension for my Tri-Council (NSERC/SSHRC/CIHR) Award? |
As announced on April 22, the Government of Canada committed $291.6M to support students and postdoctoral researchers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through the federal research funding agencies. All award holders of research training programs covered by the Tri-agency Research Training Award Holder’s Guide (TARTAHG) that end between March and August 2020 can benefit from a four-month extension, provided they meet certain conditions. Click here to view more details. Note: Instructions will be sent to eligible students but they must complete an online form through the Tri-council. The deadline to submit the form is July 9th. Award extensions will not be applied to student accounts until the decisions are sent to the institution. Completing the online document is only the first step in the process.
Incoming students who request to defer their admission and have an external award, may only defer by FOUR months or they lose the funding and must reapply next year. The following information is posted on the Tri-Agency website. “Training award recipients (master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral) may defer the start date of their award, or request an unpaid interruption of up to four months for reasons related to the COVID-19 situation. For master’s and doctoral award holders, this can be adjusted to align with the next available start date (May 1, 2020; September 1, 2020; or January 1, 2021).” |
If I take an LoA, can I still receive RA funding? |
This is possible but it is up to your supervisor to decide how he/she wants to handle this. Please consult with your thesis research supervisor regarding details around a Research Assistantship, as FGPA does not directly administer RA funding. |
If I am not registered (NR), do I have to pay fees this summer (2020)? |
No, you do not. |
I am in need of financial assistance? Where can I go for help? |
Students in financial need should take advantage of the financial assistance programs announced by both the provincial and federal governments, as applicable. Students who are in need of emergency assistance and are not eligible for other government programs, can complete the Student Emergency Fund In-Take Form available to graduate and undergraduate students to receive funding for essential expenses that may have arisen as a result of COVID-19. |
Given that TA and Scholarship funding will be moved to the next available term after a LOA, will my OGS also automatically be moved forward, or do I need to make arrangements for this? |
If you take a Leave of Absence and have remaining terms in your official time to completion, then the OGS funding will be deferred to the next available term (that does not have an OGS award already in place). |
Professional Development
What professional development resources are still available to me? |
FGPA continues to remotely offer one-on-one writing consultations to assist you with writing-related challenges, or to discuss the effectiveness of your research and writing strategies. To request a consultation by phone or through other electronic means, please fill out and submit this web form. |
Campus Services
How can I get my student ID card if I’m taking courses online in Fall 2020 and not physically present on campus? |
New students should submit a photo through MyPhoto.Carleton.ca. An email will be sent to you when the photo is reviewed (this starts in July) and will have further instructions. Students who are not physically on campus do not need a student ID card. Library Access and other services are available remotely using your Carleton login credentials. All details and instructions can be found on the Campus Card website. |
Is the Carleton Bookstore still offering services? |
The Carleton University Bookstore continues to offer lots of services including:
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How can I access mental health support? |
There are several FAQs on the University website that talk about support and services for students. Click here to view the FAQ about mental health services. |
Thesis
What if I have a defence (PhD, Masters or Proposal defence) or my comprehensive exams are taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic? |
Will I be given extra time to complete my thesis or degree due to the COVID-10 pandemic? |
Carleton University Senate (on the recommendation of the Graduate Faculty Board) has recently approved the extension of PhD times-to-completion (to 6 years). In addition, newly approved regulations require that decisions regarding extensions would be coordinated within the programs/departments. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the way in which we operate and we are grateful for the departmental commitment to supporting students with compassion and flexibility during this difficult time.
Masters students and Graduate Diploma students who display summer 2020 as the final term and are in good standing in their program will have their time of completion extended by one term. Summer registration is not mandatory for this accommodation. Doctoral students who display summer 2020 as their final term of completion and believe they are unable to meet the timeline should contact their department/supervisor and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral affairs to discuss their needs and progress. |
Leave of Absence
Can I change my LOA to registered status? |
In our effort to remain as flexible as possible, it is possible to do this, depending on the student’s circumstances. |
If I take an LOA in May, can I cancel this LOA in July if research possibilities become available? |
Yes, you can. If you alert FGPA, we will register you retroactively for the term. |
Whare the program implications if I take a leave of Absence or ‘Not Registered’ (NR)? |
Masters and Graduate Diploma students who display summer 2020 as the final term and in good standing in their program will have their time of completion extended by one term. Summer registration is not mandatory for this accommodation.
Doctoral students who display summer 2020 as their final term of completion and believe they are unable to meet the timeline are required to correspond with their department/supervisor and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral affairs to discuss their needs and progress. |
Research
What if I haven’t defended yet but my research has been interrupted and I can’t progress in my work? |
Please contact our Graduate Registrar at Joanne.Bree@carleton.ca if you would like to request a leave of absence (LOA). We are cognizant of the fact that the collective response to COVID-19 may result in interruptions in your research and requests for LOA will be reasonably accommodated. |
Library
Is there any new information about services being offered by the Library for the winter 2021 rwem? |
In light of the recent announcement from the Province of Ontario regarding restrictions that came into effect on December 26, 2020, the library building, including the study space and ASC consultations by appointment, will now be closed to the public (students and faculty) until further notice.
Online services resumed as planned on Wednesday, January 6. Our curbside pickup/mailing and scan-on-demand services resumed Monday, January 11. |
Will those students currently on leave due to parental responsibilities, or who take a Leave of Absence for the summer, be given online access to the library? |
While the parental leave policy has not yet been approved by Senate, we are working with the library to determine what accommodations could be arranged to allow access for in-progress students, who take a Leave of Absence. There are some limitations however around online licencing agreements that may restrict usage.
Due to the closure of most floors of the Library, they are not accepting applications for 2020/21 grad student spaces. The Library will be updating the Grad Spaces page on a regular basis
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