NetID and Student Email Account

Your NetID serves as the primary user name for your IT (Information Technology) account and gives you access to the campus network, SPIRE, email, and much more. Complete instructions on activating your student account and support are provided by UMass Amherst Information Technology: www.umass.edu/it/accounts/activate-your-account

Students in the College of Nursing are required to use their student email account. It is the only email that the College and the University use to provide communications to all students. This is especially critical in an online program, as all pertinent, time-sensitive information will come to that email address.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is not responsible for negative outcomes that may occur if a student does not check or regularly use their student email account. Please make it a priority upon admission to open and use your UMass Amherst student email account. Please read the University Email Communication Policy Statement & Responsibilities: UMass Amherst IT Policy: Email Communications.

Before You Arrive: A Technology Checklist for New Students

The UMass Amherst Information Technology website provides a great checklist for new students to make sure you are all set and ready to compute once classes start. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the website and abundance of information there that can aid you with your computing needs: https://www.umass.edu/it/general/it-guide-students

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Academic Advising and Plan of Study

Academic advising services for graduate nursing students are provided by the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. Academic advising services include, but are not limited to, program planning, selection of courses, identification of scholarly research interests, changes in plan of study, leaves of absence or withdrawal from the program, career counseling, and referrals for academic support. Your academic advisor will work closely with you on any personal and/or professional concerns. This discussion can occur on an individual basis and may be augmented as needed by referrals to appropriate student services on campus. Your assigned academic advisor is listed in your SPIRE account. If you do not have an assigned advisor, please contact your graduate program specialist.

In most other instances, the graduate program specialists and directors will routinely offer guidance on course selections and plan of study updates/changes for Master’s Track, Certificate, DNP, and PhD students.

Although each student has an academic advisor, the student carries the responsibility for ensuring that they meet all the requirements for progression in the major and for graduation.

Plan of Study

Each student will receive a plan of study to guide their education upon admission to their program. The agreed-upon plan of study will be signed by the student and placed in the student’s academic file. A copy will be provided to the student. Changes in the plan of study can only be made in consultation with the student’s advisor or director. Students are responsible for following the plan of study exactly as it is agreed upon with the advisor/director to ensure a timely graduation.

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Registering for Courses

Information outlining available courses and the registration process will be emailed to students prior to the registration period each semester at the student’s University email account.

Early registration is recommended to assure enrollment and to process financial aid.

Many courses fill to capacity, so to be guaranteed a space in a required class, we urge you to register as soon as the registration period begins.

If you have any questions or issues concerning registration, contact the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing graduate program specialist associated with your program.

Registration for courses is found on the University's SPIRE student information system. Students should connect with their advisors each semester and register for the courses outlined in their plan of study to assure a timely graduation. 

The cost per course can vary depending on whether courses are offered through the UMass Amherst Graduate School on campus or through the Flexible Education Division, and by department. Program cost documents can be found on their respective websites. 

Note: All students must register each semester until the degree is awarded.

If you are not registering for any courses or credits in a fall or spring semester and you are not filing for your degree, you must enroll in the Continuous Enrollment course, also known as Program Fee. You can enroll in the Continuous Enrollment course in SPIRE prior to the end of add/drop period each fall and spring semester. The Class Number for Continuous Enrollment is found in the Schedule of Classes under GRADSCH999.

• An incomplete course from a previous semester does not maintain your enrollment. 
• First semester students and non-degree students are not eligible for Continuous Enrollment
• The cost for Continuous Enrollment/Program Fee is $285.00 which will be billed by the Bursar's Office.
• Students on Continuous Enrollment are also assessed half of the Graduate Student Senate Tax. 

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UMass Campus Resources

There are many resources and support services available to both on- and off-campus graduate students. Below is a list of the most frequently requested websites.

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Scholarly Writing Resources

Students admitted to The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Graduate Programs will be expected to produce many papers during their coursework in their graduate program. The College of Nursing uses American Psychological Association (7th ed.) formatting for all required papers. Students are encouraged to seek help with their writing early on, if needed, before the most critical writing times in their programs. The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers support with both scholarly writing and research. Some helpful links include:

1. The Writing Center Virtual and face-to-face appointments are offered, and students may be assigned a writing coach.
2. CTL (The Center for Teaching and Learning): Provides information on editors, writing coaches, writing retreats, and more!  
3. APA Style: The website for using American Psychological Assocation style formattting see Style and Grammar Guidelines for hepful information on how to format your paper. 

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UMass Amherst Libraries

The UMass Amherst Library system has holdings that include more than 6 million books, periodicals and government documents. The W.E.B. Du Bois Library is the largest site, and provides access to to many reference materials and collections. 

Electronic references are available with a UMass IT account, searchable on the library website(s).

Please Note: Firewalls may preclude your ability to access e-journals! Please take the necessary steps to ensure that you can access e-journals and other materials.

Library Resources for Nursing Programs

Nurse Librarian Liaison: Ellen Lutz (lutz [at] library [dot] umass [dot] edu (lutz[at]library[dot]umass[dot]edu))

The UMass Library System is a wealth of information and a place you will want to get to know quickly. The UMass Library has a guide specifically designed for students in Nursing. 

ScholarWorks

ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst is a digital repository for the research and scholarly output of members of the University of Massachusetts Amherst community. It is administered by the UMass Amherst Libraries. Students are highly encouraged to post their work after completion of DNP projects or PhD dissertations. Instructions are given in the DNP Capstone courses when you are ready to submit. 

View past DNP projects on ScholarWorks here. 

View past PhD dissertations on ScholarWorks here.  

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Ombuds Office

The Ombuds Office is a unique place where all current UMass Amherst students, faculty, and staff can talk confidentially and "off the record" about any campus concern, issue, or conflict. The Ombuds staff works with university community members in a variety of ways to help them understand their options and resolve their concerns. The office works to foster a culture in which differences can be resolved through respectful communication and fair processes. 

The office operates pursuant to its Charter Agreement with the University and the International Ombudsman Association Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Ombuds services are confidential, neutral, informal, and independent. 

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Financial Aid

There are several offices on campus that provide information to students about resources for funding their education. Unlike financial aid for U.S. undergraduate students, aid to U.S. graduate students is limited to loans and work-study. To qualify for these programs, complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid Form (FAFSA).

The office of Financial Aid Services provides information about various loans, employment, and scholarship programs to which students can apply. Many loan programs and all federal aid programs require that applicants be citizens or permanent residents, making international students ineligible to apply. Financial Aid Services may also be able to inform you about part-time job search programs and can provide debt management information.

In addition, certain nursing organizations such as Nurses’ Educational Funds, Inc. and Sigma Theta Tau International offer scholarships. For more information, stop by the Graduate Program Business Office in Skinner Hall. Several scholarships are offered to graduate students during the academic year and students are encouraged to apply.

To view a list of selected funding opportunities for PhD students, click here.

Scholarship information specifically for graduate students can be found here: https://www.umass.edu/graduate/funding

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Graduate Assistantships & Awards

The University awards a limited number of graduate assistantships and associateships in research and instructional programs in most graduate departments. Research assistants and associates assist in conducting research, usually under the supervision of a faculty member, while teaching assistants and associates assume responsibilities related to teaching in academic departments.

Graduate assistantships, associateships, non-working fellowships, and traineeships are awarded according to the contract negotiated by the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) and includes the benefits of a tuition and curriculum fee waiver for on-campus, face-to-face graduate students. Students holding these types of awards qualify for a partial waiver of the health fee. Students enrolled through Flexible Education (formerly UWW) such as DNP, some Masters, and certificate students, are not eligible for tuition and fees remission. Students with non-working fellowships do not qualify for some of these benefits and should check which benefits (if any) are associated with their fellowships.

Students holding assistantships or receiving University paychecks are paid bi-weekly via direct payroll deposit. If you are uncertain about the benefits associated with your award, contact the Graduate School, Bartlett Building 130 Hicks Way or click here to learn more about funding policies and procedures. 

Appointment and Reappointment Procedure for Graduate Assistants

The following information shall serve as procedure for appointment and reappointment of graduate students who serve as teaching or research assistants for the EMCON.

Posting of open positions
A posting of positions and application will be made available to current and incoming graduate students. Usually, applications for fall positions are circulated in March and applications for spring positions are circulated in October.

Decisions on who will receive funding
The PhD Program Director will make recommendations for assistantships and the Graduate Program Director will approve candidates who have met all of the following criteria:

• Student completes an application and submits a curriculum vitae (CV)
• Student is in good academic standing within the EMCON (no outstanding incompletes or failing grades)
• Student holds the desired experience in order to properly match that of the faculty and the course being taught
• Students can fulfill the commitment required by the course as determined by the faculty of record
• PhD students will be given preference

Application procedure
Interested students should complete the application and submit a CV within the timeframe indicated on the call for applications.

Appointment procedure

• Recommended students shall meet with the designated faculty member to discuss the details of the appointment.
• Specific details of the TA/TO/RA/PA appointment will be discussed and the guidelines outlined in the Graduate Appointments Policies and Procedures will be followed.
• Student signs the Appointment Form for Graduate Fellowship and Assistantships after understanding and agreeing to the responsibilities.
• If the student is new to the University system, they will be informed that they must attend the Graduate School’s TA orientation, known as the Teaching Academy, held in the fall of each year during new student orientation.

Reappointment procedure
A student who is hired for an assistantship should be able to commit to an entire academic year. If that is not the case, and positions become available during the academic year, students will be contacted in the form of an announcement, e-mail, or a mailing regarding the new positions. A new pool of applicants will be drawn upon each academic year. All applications will be considered, although PhD students who are in the first three years (post MS) or four years (post BS) will be given priority.

Policies and guidelines
The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing will follow all guidelines outlined in the Agreement between Graduate Employee Organization UAW Local 2322 and The University of Massachusetts Amherst. The College of Nursing will also follow all guidelines from the Graduate College Assistantship Office and policies and procedures outlined in the Graduate Handbook. The quality of student work and fulfillment of agreed upon responsibilities will be reviewed mid-semester and at the end of each semester in which the graduate assistant serves. Each student will be given a copy of this document and the Agreement between Graduate Employee Organization UAW Local 2322 and The University of Massachusetts Amherst. Any disciplinary action or termination of an appointment will be addressed by the graduate program director in Nursing, and policies and procedures for such action shall be done in accordance with GEO guidelines.

1. Assistantship
   Any student who receives an assistantship from the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is required to attend the Graduate School TA orientation. International students who serve as TAs are also required to attend the International Student Orientation. If American English is not the student’s primary language, the student may be required to take the Spoken Language Test before being assigned an assistantship.

Policies for Teaching Assistants/Teaching Associates

Definitions

Teaching Assistant (TA): a graduate student employed on an hourly basis with one or more of the following responsibilities in courses for which they do not have primary responsibility: (1) coordinate, lead, or assist in the instructional process in preparation and direct interaction with students in lab, discussion, quiz, or problem sessions; (2) meet with students and teach during office hours; (3) grade papers; (4) grade and proctor exams; (5) supervise undergraduate interns; (6) counsel students; (7) administer colloquium programs. A TA may have additional, related duties as assigned.

Teaching Associate (TO): a graduate student employed on an hourly basis responsible for the teaching and grading of a course. A TO may have additional, related duties as assigned.

For more information see the GEO-UAW contract and other information .

Student Principles

TA/TO positions provide:

• Financial support for PhD education
• Teaching experience for PhD, DNP, and MS students
• Opportunities to be mentored by faculty and to experience faculty as colleagues
• Integral part of PhD education – meets an essential goal of the PhD curriculum
• TOs further advance teaching skills

* BS-PhD students (as well as post-master’s students) may not have had the opportunity to gain formal teaching experience aside from TA/TO positions.

Faculty Principles

TA/TO positions provide:

• Assistance for teaching large classes
• Assistance for teaching for faculty building a research agenda
• TOs may be assigned in clinical and classroom settings in place of a faculty person

Faculty of record must offer TA/TO

• Coaching to develop teaching skills
• Expectations at the beginning of the semester

TA/TO Process Principles

• The faculty of record are encouraged to discuss communication preferences with TAs/TOs, to orient new TAs/TOs to their courses, and to both provide and solicit coaching and feedback to/from their TAs/TOs on a regular basis.
• TAs are encouraged to lead at least one class and/or the co-creation of curricular materials/course projects during the term and receive formal feedback from the faculty of record.
• In the EMCON, while TAs generally serve 10 hours per week, spread over 19 weeks, for a total of 190 hours per semester per TA fellowship, they could serve as little as five hours per week and as much as 20 hours per week based on the needs of the program. Faculty are encouraged to communicate anticipated course burden to TAs and TOs, early and often, so TAs and TOs can plan and adjust their workloads accordingly.
• In the EMCON, TOs are generally ~10 to 12 hours per week for a 3-credit course.
• Duties are determined by University guidelines/GEO contract.
• TAs should work with expert teachers who have prior experience serving as TAs/TOs or as teaching interns and/or mentoring new nurse faculty/graduate TAs.
• Faculty are encouraged to schedule a formal evaluation/feedback and mutual mentoring sessions at midterm and end of semester
• Faculty will also complete the end of semester TA evaluation
• TA/TO positions can qualify as teaching internships for PhD students.
• International students who will be first-time TAs/TOs and who are subject to English language testing requirements for admission to the Graduate School must take the Spoken English Communication Skills test (International Teaching Assistant Communication Program) and score at least a 50.

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Nurse Faculty Loan Program

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The purpose of the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty to facilitate education of the nurses needed to address the nursing workforce shortage.  Find more information about NFLP here. 

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing makes loans from a fund made possible by a grant from the Federal Government to assist registered nurses in completing their graduate education to become qualified nurse faculty. The program offers partial loan forgiveness for borrowers who graduate and serve as full-time nursing faculty for the prescribed period of time. Loan recipients may cancel 85% of the loan over four years in return for serving full-time as faculty in any accredited school of nursing. Loans are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to prior recipients and full-time students.

NFLP loans may be used for the cost of tuition, fees, books, lab expenses, and other reasonable education expenses. Courses taken at institutions other than UMass Amherst are not covered by NFLP.

An NFLP loan may not exceed $40,000 per student per year, for no more than 5 years per student.

Note: Amounts awarded with no corresponding tuition and fees will not be distributed. (For example, if your plan contains summer courses, but you are not enrolled for that summer, those funds will not be disbursed to your account.)

NFLP Eligibility

Students of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing who are enrolled in our DNP or PhD degree programs as well as our MS in Nursing Education are eligible to apply to the Nurse Faculty Loan Program if they meet the following criteria:

1. Must be willing to commit to a full-time teaching position with an accredited nursing program within an educational institution after graduation
2. Must be a U.S. citizen or national of the U.S., or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. or its territories
3. Must be enrolled full-time or part-time in one of our PhD, DNP, or MS in Nursing Education programs as of July 1 of the award year (or application closing date, whichever is later)
4. Must maintain full-time or part-time enrollment status for a minimum of two terms/semesterds during an academic year while receiving the NFLP loan
5. Must be in good academic standing in an advanced nurse education program at the College
6. Must have no judgment liens entered against them due to defaulting on a federal debt, 28 U.S.C. 3201(e)
7. Must complete at least one of the following courses as part of their program of study:
   1. N603-Theoretical Components
   2. N642-Teaching in Nursing
   3. N641-Curriculum Development & Evaluation
   4. N698T-Teaching in Nursing Practicum
   5. EDUC692K-Foundations and Theories of Learning (elective)
   6. EDUC692R-Introduction to College Teaching (elective)

Loans are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please apply early. Former NFLP recipients at the UMass Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing receive priority.

Applications are due by August 15. Pleasecontact NFLP [at] nursing [dot] umass [dot] edu with any questions.

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Organizations, Associations and Governance Opportunities

Sigma International Nursing Honor Society

Sigma International Nursing Honor Society was founded in 1922 and is now the second largest nursing organization in the United States, and among the five largest and most prestigious in the world.

Sigma was organized to encourage and recognize superior scholarship and leadership achievement at the undergraduate, graduate and practice levels in nursing. Membership is available by meeting eligibility requirements through active chapters, and assumes acceptance of the purposes of the society and responsibility to participate in achieving the goals consistent with the professional and scholastic character of Sigma Theta Tau.

The Beta Zeta At-Large Chapter at UMass Amherst was established in 1972 as the fifty-second chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. It amended its charter in 2002 to include affiliation with Elms College, Chicopee, MA. In 2006 the chapter again amended its charter to include American International College in Springfield, MA. In 2017, the charter was amended once again to include Westfield State University School of Nursing. Sigma Theta Tau is committed to serving its growing membership through the development of knowledge, encouragement of professional achievement, and advancement of nursing through research. Each year, the Beta Zeta At-Large Chapter as well as Sigma Theta Tau International offer research grant funding opportunities for which graduate students can apply.

Membership is conferred only upon students in baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs and nursing leaders in the community who demonstrate exceptional achievement in the nursing profession. Membership invitations go out in the Fall semester to current students in our graduate and uncergraduate nursing programs. 

Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Alumni Association

Every graduate of EMCON nursing programs is automatically a member of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Alumni Association. The Association's board is a group of tremendously enthusiastic and loyal alumni, engaged in many different areas of nursing. Each year, the College of Nursing organizes several events to provide opportunities for alumni networking. One such event is our annual luncheon during Homecoming Weekend, which includes an educational program as well as the presentation of Outstanding Alumni Achievement awards.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Alumni Association is an important vehicle that creates and sustains alumni support, enthusiasm, and participation essential for promoting the College's mission: "To enhance health and healing through nursing leadership in teaching, scholarship, practice and service."

Student Participation in Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Governance

As stated in the faculty by-laws, there is student representation on various faculty governance committees. Although each committee has a specific number of students in voting positions, committees welcome any additional students who wish to attend the meetings. Student representatives are available to their classmates to answer questions and/or hear concerns to be presented at committee meetings. The students are representatives with voting privileges on the committees on which they serve including:

• Committee on Undergraduate Academic Matters
• Committee on DNP Academic Matters
• Committee on Master’s Academic Matters
• Committee on PhD Academic Matters
• Committee on Faculty and Student Matters
• Committee on Diversity and Social Justice

If you do not live in the area, it is possible for you to attend committee meetings by video chat or conference call. We would be thrilled to have our graduate students serve on the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing committees. At the beginning of the fall semester, we will be soliciting students to serve. Students can also serve on university committees and with the UMass Graduate Student Organization.

Student Evaluation of Courses

During the last two weeks of each course, students are asked to evaluate the course content and clinical and classroom performance of the faculty. A link to an online evaluation page will be forwarded to students.

The Forward Focus Evaluation presents questions about the course and instructor. All responses are anonymous. Instructors receive feedback via a computer-generated report with a statistical summary of multiple-choice responses and anonymous student comments. This is the opportunity for students to offer constructive suggestions and recommendations for the continued growth and development of the nursing program. Thoughtful evaluation is appreciated. Participation in the evaluation process is strongly encouraged.

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