Graduate Student Resources


Information about rules, regulations, and procedures can be found in the Handbook for GTAs and Graduate Students. If you have any questions about any of the information in this handbook, please ask someone in the department office. Otherwise, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese assumes that all students have carefully read and understood all of the information.

General Resources:

Forms & Documents:

Leave of Absence Information:

 

In extenuating circumstances (e.g., cases of illness, financial hardship, military leave, family responsibilities, or the pursuit of full-time activities related to long-range professional goals), students may petition for a leave of absence—typically for one semester or one academic year. An approved leave of absence allows a student to take a temporary break from enrolling in graduate coursework while remaining in good standing with the University and the department.

If a student wishes to request a Leave of Absence, the student should start by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies or the Graduate Program Coordinator. If the Graduate Studies Committee supports the leave request, the Graduate Coordinator and Director of Graduate Studies will work with the student to complete the online Leave of Absence Petition Form and submit the form to COGA.

Students on Leave of Absence are automatically reactivated after their leave ends and are eligible to enroll for their intended semester back during the normal enrollment periods. See the KU Academic Calendar for the exact dates that enrollment begins. Upon return, the student must submit an updated “Mentoring Agreement” signed by the primary academic advisor. If at any time plans change and a student wishes to return and enroll before their leave is supposed to end, they may contact the Director of Graduate Studies to be reactivated early. For other relevant information about Leaves of Absence, see Appendix A of the Graduate Handbook.


24 June 2025

 

Student Organizations:

  • GRASP - The Graduate Association for the Department of Spanish and Portuguese (GRASP) is one of several student organizations that participates in the Graduate and Professional Association (GPA) and its representative senate.
  • LAGO - Latin American Graduate Organization promotes social, cultural, and academic exchanges amongst KU Latin American graduate students, as well as the campus and Lawrence community.

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Professional Development:

Library Research:

Internal M.A. to Ph.D. Applications: