Nov 21, 2024  
Academic Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Library & Student Services



Academic Technologies

At Fielding, your graduate education experience is shaped by the conversations you have with your peers, faculty, and staff. With our distributed learning model, we blend the best of in-person engagement and academic technologies to provide the resources, services, and support needed to facilitate interactive learning environments. 

Our academic technology resources and services enable you to work locally, while connecting you to a global community of Fielding scholars. At Fielding, these resources are strategically combined to best assist the distributed scholar-practitioner. The Information Technology and Academic Technology departments provide tools to support teaching, research, and collaboration.

Prerequisite Technology Skills

All students are required to have certain technology competencies before beginning graduate work at Fielding Graduate University.

Faculty will assume that you have the following skills on the first day of class:

  • Ability to create folders/directories
  • Ability to find files
  • Ability to save files to removable media
  • Ability to use a web browser and search the Internet
  • Ability to bookmark web pages for future reference
  • Ability to play audio and video files
  • Familiarity with a word processing program
  • Familiarity with a spreadsheet program
  • Familiarity with a computer operating system (Windows or MacOS)
  • Use an email account
  • Ability to send and receive email attachments
  • Ability to troubleshoot basic technology issues

Numerous courses in the program require additional technical competencies; you can learn more about technology prerequisites by viewing the course descriptions in the Course Catalog .

Developing Skills

To develop technology skills, students may take courses at a continuing education program or community college. These skills can also be self-taught with the help of a textbook or the instruction manual for the specific software.

To augment basic proficiencies after entering their program you can advantage of a variety of self-paced modules and resources at Fielding.

  • Current students can visit the Student Guide to Academic Technology for descriptions of academic technologies, video tutorials, student user guides, links to academic technology resources, and instructions on how to find support and submit help requests.
  • The library offers group workshops and individual appointments to assist current students with their library research. You can work with Library Services to make an appointment with a librarian for personalized assistance, get access to a variety of self-help resources, or work through the self-paced library skills training course. Your librarians are eager to hear from you and support you. Current students can connect with the Library here

You can also connect with the full array of student services at Fielding’s One-Stop Student Center.


Disability Services

Fielding is proud to support students with disabilities with academic accommodations, and we promote an environment in which the diversity and variety of human experiences are respected and appreciated. 

Fielding provides a wide range of academic accommodations to students with verified disabilities who have completed and submitted the required documentation. Services can be provided at any location where a Fielding academic event or authorized meeting or session will take place. Services and reasonable accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis. 


Financial Aid & Scholarships

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships partners with students to assist them with obtaining additional funding when they have a gap between their personal financial resources and the cost of attendance at Fielding. Financial Aid & Scholarships has a dedicated team of knowledgeable professionals who can help students find a funding path for their education.  There are several types of aid available from federal, institutional, and private sources including:

  • Loans: Many students with financial need utilize federal student loan funds which may include Direct Unsubsidized and/or Direct PLUS for Graduate loans to support their education. Other loan options include private alternative education loans, which are credit-based loans that are offered through private lenders. Loans are generally scheduled for one year (three terms) with one disbursement of funds at the start of each term, and then renewed each year as needed. Master of Arts in Organization Development & Leadership loans are generally scheduled for one year (five modules/terms) with a sixth module/term renewed in the following year.
  • Scholarships/Grants: Fielding has limited scholarship programs available for incoming as well as returning students to help meet a portion of their educational needs. Funding amounts and timing vary, depending on the scholarship program. Students are also encouraged to explore other scholarship and grant opportunities that are available from a wide variety of sources, starting with local community and/or religious organizations that support residents in their city, county, or state.

Generally, students receiving financial assistance from any source must remain in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress each year. Please refer to the Progress to Degree Policies in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog for specific policy guidelines.

Students who have any questions or special concerns are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office at 805-687-1099 or send an email to finaid@fielding.edu. For more, visit our website.


Job Assistance Resources

Fielding Graduate University provides several resources for students and alumni who are on the job market. For doctoral and post-doctoral programs, students have assigned or chosen faculty advisor/mentors who can advise on job searches in their field of study. Master’s degree and graduate certificate programs have a program director who can serve in this role for students. Fielding offers community forums both within our internal network (myFIELDING, Moodle, the Fielding Alumni Association, and externally on social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) where students/alumni can post job announcements and request help from the Fielding network. Specific job search assistance can also be sourced through the Student Assistance Program. 

Job placement cannot be guaranteed by Fielding.

  • Student Assistance program - http://myassistanceprogram.com/aci/students/
    • Students can let the intake specialist know that they are seeking assistance with a job search. Based on the industry or job title they are seeking, ACI’s Work/Life team will assist with researching available positions online. The Work/Life representative will then e-mail them the resources they find. 
    • It will then be up to the student to reach out to the resources to coordinate any interviews, etc. from that point forward. ACI’s goal is to be that extra hand and assist students with searching for available positions if they do not have the resources or the time to do it themselves. 
  • Fielding Alumni Association - https://alumni.fielding.edu/
    • Fielding Alumni Job Board -  https://alumni.fielding.edu/jobs
    • Directory of Fielding Alumni by location, academic programs, interest groups, and current employer
    • In-person alumni conference/national seminar presentations.
    • Professional research poster presentation opportunities
    • Continuing education and professional development offerings:
      • Alumni Association Events - https://alumni.fielding.edu/events
      • The Evidence Based Coaching (EBC) program offers monthly virtual seminars. The Evidence Based Coaching Certificate program is approved as an Accredited Coach Training Program by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
      • Fielding Graduate University is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
  • Alumni Awards to pursue academic research and scholarship. Examples:
  • Fielding Faculty and Mentors
    • Doctoral students have chosen or assigned faculty advisors/mentors that can advise on aspects of a job search in student’s field of study.
    • Fielding faculty advisors/mentors provide letters of recommendation for jobs, scholarships, and internship/practicum sites.
    • Fielding National Sessions and Alumni conferences. Topics include:
      • How to set up a consulting company
      • How to get published in professional journals
      • How to get books published
      • How to get research accepted at peer-reviewed conferences
  • Moodle community forums: Schools/Programs have community student forums on Moodle for sharing resources, questions, and requests for help.

Library Services

The Dr. Dianne Kipnes Library’s goal is to connect you to the information you need.  Our outstanding digital collection includes access to eBooks, scholarly journals, dissertations, streaming videos, and more covering an array of subject areas.  

Our librarians are dedicated to helping students of all skill levels learn the strategies and techniques they need to find, review, and organize scholarly materials. We offer a robust collection of instructional materials, tutorial videos, research guides and a self-paced skills building course. Students are encouraged to set up one-on-one appointments with a librarian to receive guidance specific to their individual research topics and needs. 


Office of the Registrar

The Registrar’s Office is the steward of student academic records. We coordinate services in the areas of course and requirement information, course registration, grading, concentration declaration, degree or certificate progress, specialty requirement tracking (clinical training and dissertations), verification of enrollment and degrees awarded, administration of final doctoral examinations, and protection and release of academic records. In addition, we provide timely assistance and accurate information to university administrators, faculty and staff regarding the approval process and procedures for the development of new courses and programs, as well as for the implementation of changes to existing courses and programs.

Many student and faculty academic services are available on​line via the WebAdvisor Self-Service application from your myFielding landing page. We strive to provide exceptional and efficient service and to continuously adapt business processes to anticipate and reflect curriculum and technology changes, while delivering high levels of student, alumni, administrator and fac​ulty satisfaction.

Registrar office website


Office of Research & Scholarship

The Office of Research and Scholarship, under the Office of the Provost, leads research efforts at Fielding Graduate University. It encompasses the institution’s Office of Sponsored Programs, Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the Kipnes Library. It works in conjunction with academic programs and administrative offices to help facilitate student research training and support the doctoral dissertation research process. Faculty, students, and alumni work with this office to develop, promote, and fund their research.

The office provides opportunities for students to prepare and present their research through institutional poster sessions and funds for external research presentations.

The Office of Sponsored Programs provides technical grant writing support to faculty and students to prepare and submit proposals to governmental agencies and foundations to fund the scholarly and programmatic interests of the institution, and of its faculty, students, and alumni.

Office of Research website


Student Accounts

The student account services staff supports the accounting and administration of students’ financial activities, including the monthly payment plan, sponsored billing, and direct deposit of refunds.


Student Advising

The Advising office strives to help students understand degree requirements and create a clear pathway to program completion. We are available to support students via email, phone, and Zoom​. We coordinate with students and on their behalf to ensure the best possible student experience. Our goal is to help identify students’ needs for support services, offering sound guidance and direction toward available resources in a timely manner.

Specifically, Student Advising provides the following supports to students:

  • Post-orientation and advising services
  • Student success strategies
  • Assistance with policies and procedures
  • Leaves of absence
  • Professional Development Seminar (PDS or Pro-Sem) or faculty mentor changes
  • Academic progress reviews
  • Degree audits and significant milestones

As a student at Fielding, you may need advice in order to continue progressing smoothly through your program. Your administrative resource for answering questions about your academic progress in your program is the advising office. 

Office of Student Advising website 


Student Assistance Program

The Student Assistance Program by ACI Specialty Benefits offers students free and confidential counseling information and referral support on a variety of personal and professional issues that may be affecting the quality of their learning experience.

Students, and anyone in a student’s household, can access the program 24/7/365 for live, immediate assistance and schedule confidential, face-to-face, phone, video, text or chat assistance with professionals that’s private and confidential. Or, they access services through the student portal and mobile app with phone, chat, text, and video access. Discussions can focus on:

  • Mental health counseling
  • Budgeting/estate planning
  • Child and elder/adult care
  • Divorce/custody
  • Family conflict
  • Grief and loss
  • Identity theft
  • Life coaching and goal setting
  • Major life changes
  • Medical advocacy
  • Parenting and relationships
  • Stress, anxiety, or depression
  • Substance abuse
  • Wellness/work and life balance

Additional resources, including health and lifestyle assessments, articles, videos, webinars, soft skill courses, resource locators and interactive checklists can be found online. 

If you are an international student, you can explore WHO resources on mental health.

As a non-residential campus, there are no healthcare services provided on-site at Fielding Graduate University offices.  

Student Assistance Program website.


Student Organizations and Involvement

Below are official student organizations and other ways to get involved.

 

Name of Organization: Black Student Association

Scope/Purpose: The Black Student Association (BSA) is a university-wide academic program founded in 2016 as a student support group. In 2017, BSA became the first student-led organization at Fielding. BSA aims to foster a responsive academic environment that promotes Black students’ educational success and empowerment. Additionally, BSA engages Black students throughout their Fielding Graduate University (FGU) tenure. This organization works to attract Black Scholars and support them throughout their graduate career, including providing opportunities for professional development, visibility within the FGU community, and an empathetic environment where they feel seen, understood, and encouraged.

Email: bsa@fielding.edu

Faculty/Staff Advisor(s):

Dr. Allison Davis-White Eyes

Dr. Anthony “AGEE” Greene

Dr. April Harris-Britt

Dr. Julie Jackson

Dr. Konjit V. Page

Provost Wendi S. Williams, PhD

 

Name of Organization: Clinical Student Governance

Scope/Purpose: The Clinical Psychology Student Governance is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and empowering environment that nurtures the personal and professional growth of our diverse student body. Our mission is to amplify student voices, advocate for student well-being, cultivate academic excellence, and facilitate effective communication between students and faculty. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in both virtual and in-person spaces. Through our support for individual students and student groups/organizations, we aim to create and maintain an enriching environment that enhances the student experience and facilitates the development of skilled, compassionate, and ethically responsible clinical psychologists.

Email: fieldingstudentgovernment@gmail.com

Social Media: FGU_ClinicalSG

Faculty/Staff Advisor:

Dr. Connie Veazey

 

Name of Organization: Queer Student Alliance

Scope/Purpose: To foster an inclusive environment that supports and advocates for the interests of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies through education, social action, and community/movement building of pride.

Email: qsafielding@gmail.com

Faculty/Staff Advisor:

Dr. Alayne “Mimi” Ormerod

 

Other Involvement

In addition to the organizations listed above, doctoral students can be elected or appointed to serve as student representatives to faculty governance committees on topics such as Curriculum, Personnel, and Student Engagement and Success. Student members must have been in their doctoral programs for at least one year and need to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to serve.

Short-term peer mentoring appointments are also available during New Student Orientations for some programs. These are unpaid, although if travel is needed, your travel, lodging and per diem will be covered.

To aid in our recruitment efforts, both current students and alumni may be approached on an ad hoc basis to speak with current applicants.


Writing Support Services

The mission of Fielding’s Writing Support Services is to work with students to help them further understand and develop scholarly writing skills to ensure success in graduate education.

The online portal to the center provides videos, written guides, and self-paced courses on topics such as APA style and formatting, argumentation, organization and structure. Students can request to work one-on-one with a writing coach and receive supportive comments to help them develop their academic writing skills, with a focus on 1) developing content, improving formatting, and refining APA skills; and 2) helping them integrate and apply the feedback to improve each paper they write. All services are free to students.

Writing Support Services website (requires Moodle login credentials)