The Ongoing Program, GRAD 6000 (formerly known as GRAD 600), is designed to accommodate graduate students who are unable to attend or fully complete the August GradSTEP week as well as students that have met their GradSTEP requirements but are changing their academic roles or preparing for graduation. GradSTEP sessions are open to all graduate students but only students receiving their first assistantship contract are required to complete all 12 session hours for GradSTEP. The Ongoing Program operates as an independent study course, allowing students to tailor their individual professional development with guidance from the GradSTEP Ongoing Program Coordinator . GradSTEP sponsors 6-8 ongoing sessions during the Fall and Spring semesters.  Participants are also informed of professional development opportunities offered by The Center for Teaching and Learning, The Women's Center, Career Services, and computer training offered by Continuing and Extended Education. 

REQUIREMENTS

In order to receive a satisfactory grade for GRAD 6000, participants must complete 12 session or workshop hours. Two of these hours will be the online training modules "Preventing Sexual Harassment" and "Preventing Employment Discrimination".  Please refer to the Mandatory Training page for complete details.  You must also finish a separate Diversity Training session as part of a requirement for all university employees.

Effective fall semester 2009, there will be some changes to the format of the Ongoing Program.  Only professional development and training sessions that are assistantship or academically focused will count toward GradSTEP hours.  As an individualized program, GRAD 6000 does not require you to meet for a regular class period. Also, there are no exams, lengthy papers, or books to buy.  However, there will be a set schedule of sessions for students to attend should this fit within their schedule.  Other options will be available to accommodate time conflicts.  There are also several meetings with the GradSTEP Coordinator throughout the semester that provide much-needed information about your progress, but attendance at these meetings depends on how far along you are in the "class."

The sessions may be a combination of live classroom seminars and videos. You will select what you use to maximize your professional development.

You can complete 10 session hours through seminars but the maximum number of hours that may be completed by watching videos is 6 session hours.

Session lengths will be rounded to the nearest hour for credit considerations (for example, a 45 minute session = 1 hour, a 96 minute session = 2 hours).

There are a variety of ways to complete the program. For each activity that you select, you must complete and submit an Attendance Verification Form. Make sure you provide information in the "Session Summary" detailing your experience of the activity. Drop the forms off at the GradSTEP office, the Graduate College, or mail the forms to GradSTEP, 215 South Hall.

There are basically 2 types of activities - pre-approved, and those which require advance approval by the GradSTEP Coordinator. Every week the Coordinator will inform you about activities that are pre-approved via our weekly news e-mail and announcements posted to the MyBGSU Blackboard.

Click  here to view some of the pre-approved sessions.  Although there are a wide variety of sessions you can use towards GradSTEP credit, any sessions offered below are also pre-approved:

• GradSTEP Seminars

• CTL (Center for Teaching and Learning) workshops
  The Center for Teaching and Learning is dedicated to creating an environment for graduate students and faculty to achieve excellence in teaching through innovation, collaboration and technological support. The CTL is located at 201 University Hall. To register online, go to: http://www.bgsu.edu/ctl/ To register by phone, contact CTL at (419) 372-6898. To register by email, send a request to ksautte@bgsu.edu.

• Career Services workshops
  Visit Career Services Calendar for workshops and fairs organized for both undergraduate and graduate students.

• Women's Center seminars  
  The Women's Center provides resources, support, and advocacy for women as they pursue their individual and collective goals. Find community activities, seminars, groups, links among other interesting and informative things.

• Continued and Extended Education workshops

• COBL (Center for Online and Blended Learning) 

• ITS (Information Technology Services)
  ITS offers a wide variety of facilities and services for the BGSU community, all of which can be accessed here. This page contains links and information about computer training facilities, the University KeyServer, job opportunities, virus protection, the Technology Support Center, and related areas.

• Online Videos from past GradSTEP programs.  
  

For approval of other sessions a request must be made with a yellow Session Proposal Form. The form asks you to justify how this activity will benefit your professional development. Workshops or sessions that help to prepare you for your future professional career, from guest lectures to library tours may be included for credit. Activities you are required to complete by your assistantship duties or for class work are NOT eligible for GradSTEP credit.  If possible, try to submit the Session Proposal Form one week prior to the event/activity or contact your coordinator by email for approval.

The maximum number of hours that may be counted for a single session/event is 4 hours.

DEADLINES

One half of your session units must be completed and your Attendance Verification Forms received in the GradSTEP office no later than the first Monday following Spring Break or the Monday following Fall Break depending on the semester of enrollment. All session hours must be completed and your Attendance Verification Forms received by GradSTEP no later than Friday of the last week of classes (before finals week).

HOW TO FIND CAMPUS EVENTS

Campus Update

This is an extremely handy resource for a number of activities and opportunities available to the entire campus community.  Most of the professional development workshops listed here will count toward GradSTEP.  If you are not sure about a posted event just give Macaela a call at 419-372-8621.  You can also access this information from your MyBGSU page.

BGSU Calendar of Events - Seminars

This listing will show you what's coming up across campus for the current week.

The Monitor

This site connects to The Monitor which is a publication sent to all faculty and staff on campus but has a wealth of information valuable to graduate students. Check out the Calendar of Events listings for upcoming workshops, seminars, and other activities.

For questions regarding the Ongoing Program, please contact:

Macaela Carder
Coordinator for the Ongoing Program
215 South Hall
Phone: 419-372-8621
Email: grad6000@bgsu.edu