Graduate Student Life Office
The Office of Graduate Student Life office exists to advance the mission and vision of the Wheaton College Graduate School by providing holistic support for all graduate students and by fostering a diverse and vibrant community of learners centered on unity in Jesus Christ. Graduate students are encouraged to stop by the Grad Life Office located on the second floor of the Billy Graham Hall (BGH 228) or contact the Graduate Student Life office at graduate.student.life@wheaton.edu.
Grad Life Lounge
Graduate students are encouraged to eat, study, relax, and socialize in the Grad Life Lounge located on the second floor of the Billy Graham Hall. The kitchen area includes a refrigerator, microwave, hot pot, and sink for graduate students to store and prepare meals or hot drinks. Board games are available for student use. The Grad Life Lounge is open from 6am-10:30pm daily.
New Graduate Student Orientation
Each August and January the Grad Life Office hosts a New Grad Student Orientation to welcome new students to the Wheaton College Graduate School community. The purposes of our orientation programming are to provide information about on and off campus resources and support, create opportunities to connect with faculty and peers, and help new students adjust to life as a graduate student.
International Graduate Student Orientation
International student orientation is required for any international student holding an F-1 student visa and highly recommended for students arriving from an international location. A variety of cultural, social, spiritual, and academic activities are designed to prepare international graduate students and their families for thriving in the United States.
Student Handbook
The student handbook provides important information on institutional policies, people, campus activities, tradition and organizations. Every effort is made to provide current and accurate information in this publication; however, the administration reserves the right to alter, amend, or abolish its rules, regulations, or policies at any time. The student handbook is published on the college website and on the intranet (authentication required).
Campus Life
Our desire is for you to find community centered on authentic and meaningful relationships at Wheaton Grad School. Grad Life hosts on and off campus cross departmental events throughout the year that encourage social and intellectual engagement and facilitate connections beyond your program of study. Campus Life events are designed to foster Christian community that cultivates authentic and meaningful relationships among graduate students. Explore a variety of ways you can be connected to the grad campus community here!
International Graduate Students
The Grad Life Office support international graduate students and their families from orientation to graduation. All U.S. Federal Immigration compliance and services for students holding an F1 visa are managed through this office throughout their course of study. Informational sessions and social activities are offered throughout the year to help international students connect and thrive during their time at Wheaton.
Graduate Students of Color
The Grad Life Office supports graduate students of color by hosting events that create space for strengthening a sense of belonging within the graduate community. We seek to foster an environment that upholds the dignity of individuals and groups across diverse cultural contexts with the goal of becoming a place where together we most fully reflect the image of Christ and His kingdom.
Servant Leadership
Practice the integration of Christian thought and action by participating in our servant leadership opportunities! Grad Life partners with the academic programs to promote international and local opportunities designed to globalize the Wheaton experience and further prepare individuals to lead and thrive vocationally as the servant leaders we are called to be.
Resource Guide
Explore our Grad Life Resource Guide to find on and off campus resources to help you navigate your graduate experience and maximize the benefits of living and learning in Wheaton. Need help with basic needs? If you are skipping or stretching meals or having difficulty accessing food, we can help connect you with local support. Please contact the Grad Life office for more information!
Graduate Student Council
The Graduate Student Council is an elected student body that represents the graduate student voice in issues regarding policies, program changes, and student life. Graduate students are encouraged to serve. Elections take place in the Spring semester. Contact the Graduate Student Council at graduate.student.council@wheaton.edu or speak to a representative in person or by email.
Graduate Student Ministries
Spiritual Community is an important feature of the Graduate School. Our desire is for each student to grow closer to the Lord alongside others while studying at Wheaton. A variety of activities are planned to encourage this spiritual growth. Weekly chapel services, Wednesdays at 10:40 a.m. in Barrows Auditorium, unite the entire Graduate School community in worship. In addition, prayer meetings, small group fellowships, and opportunities for mentoring help students develop in their "Christian formation in relationship" with others.
Student Clubs and Organizations
The Theological Society is an organization of graduate students primarily in the Theological Studies program. The Society seeks to promote theological learning and to provide a framework for fellowship. In addition to other services, an important part of the Society's activities is the presentation of outstanding scholars to the Wheaton College community.
The Graduate Psychology Student Association is an organization of the graduate students in the M.A. and Psy.D. programs. Its purpose is to provide opportunities for involvement in the implementation of the policies and procedures governing the graduate psychology programs. It provides encouragement and fellowship for the students, as well as providing opportunities to develop skills and direction in professional development. Officers and Standing Committee members are elected by the student body each year to represent the classes in each program.
Campus Activities
Each quad a variety of intramural sports are offered and graduate students are encouraged to participate. The Chrouser Sports Complex also offers group fitness classes open to all students and a fitness center, a walking/jogging track, a recreational gym with a climbing wall and swimming pool. Varsity athletic facilities include: King Arena (basketball & volleyball), Lawson Field (track & field), Lederhouse Natatorium (swimming), Leedy Field (softball), McCully Stadium (football/track), Joe Bean Stadium (soccer), and Lee Pfund Stadium (baseball).
The College provides a full and diverse activities calendar. Concerts, Chicago special events, selected films, theater productions, and campus "specials" are just a few of the offerings. The College's student newspaper, the Record, is published weekly. Many activities occur in the Todd M. Beamer Student Center which houses the College Post Office, The Stupe, Sam's, the Gameroom, and several meeting rooms.
Student Services
Housing
https://www.wheaton.edu/life-at-wheaton/housing/
The College rents a limited number of apartments to graduate students on a first-come, first-served basis. Single graduate students are housed in one-bedroom apartments, two students per apartment. A limited number of one-bedroom apartments are available for married international students and Colson Scholars. Family houses are available to rent for two years maximum on a limited basis for both married international students with children and married Colson Scholars with children. All units are furnished.
College-owned graduate housing is administered through the Housing Services Office; applications may be requested by emailing housingservices@wheaton.edu. Graduate students who opt to live off-campus are encouraged to contact the Graduate Student Life Office for housing assistance. Housing resources are available on the Resource Guide on the Grad Life website.
Food Service
https://www.wheaton.edu/life-at-wheaton/housing/campus-dining/
Anderson Commons provides café service and seating for 700. Well-balanced meals from our food-service partner, Bon Appétit, offer menu variety for individual tastes. Several meal plan options are available through the Housing Services Office for those choosing to use this service. Meal plan start dates coincide with the beginning of each semester. Meal Plan additions or changes must be completed online at https://www.wheaton.edu/life-at-wheaton/housing/campus-dining/ by the end of the first week of classes each semester.
ThunderBucks are for use in Anderson Commons, Sam’s, and The Stupe, which are located in the Beamer Student Center. ThunderBucks are flex dollars that are a part of the 10, 14 and 18 meal plans, as well as the 160 and 210 block plans. Unused ThunderBucks at the end of the fall semester can be rolled to the spring semester; unused ThunderBucks at the end of the school year will be forfeited.
ThunderBucks PLUS are additional dollars that may be added on to the student ID Card for extra spending options. ThunderBucks PLUS may be added to the card at any Bon Appétit cash register by cash, check, or credit card. ThunderBucks PLUS may be used in all three food service venues provided by Bon Appétit, and at concessions stands at home sporting events. Graduate students who purchase a 65-block meal plan in the fall semester may roll their unused meals to the spring semester.
Fresh Bon Appétit food items are available for purchase on BGC second floor.
Counseling Center
https://www.wheaton.edu/Counseling/
The Wheaton College Counseling Center functions within a broad model that includes preventive and supportive interventions. For full-time, registered, degree seeking graduate students, we provide short-term individual, group, pre-marital, and couple therapy. We also provide off-campus psychotherapy, medical, psychiatric, and psychological testing referrals for various needs. Additionally, we provide outreach and consultation services to the greater campus community.
Problem areas we can assist you with: depression, eating disorders, effects of sexual abuse, effects of trauma or crisis, family of origin issues, parenting difficulties, fear and anxiety, feelings of inadequacy or failure, grief, guilt, loneliness, low self-esteem, management of chronic illness, management of stress, relationship conflict, academic distress, perfectionism, planning for future decisions, premarital issues, sexual concerns, substance abuse, and mental health crises.
On-campus counseling services are confidential, and available to graduate students from all backgrounds. For more information and details, please visit our website.
Student Health Services (SHS)
Student Health Services (SHS) provides comprehensive primary health care to all enrolled students. Services include laboratory tests, allergy injections, medications, wellness exams, routine immunizations, and care for acute and chronic illness.
While college is in session, clinic appointments are available Monday through Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Scheduling appointments online through MyChart is welcome. During the summer term, services are available on a modified basis.
In most circumstances, each student enrolling for 6 or more credits in a semester is required to have the following: health history, immunizations and a tuberculosis (TB) skin questionnaire which are required by Illinois State Law and Wheaton College for all students. Students taking less than 6 credit hours in a semester are required to complete the health history form, tuberculosis screening test, and further requirements as necessary. A registration hold and a non-refundable late fee will be assessed if these items are not completed prior to the designated deadline. SHS will notify students of their medical requirements via their “my.wheaton.edu” e-mail account or MyChart account. Students may consult the website for more information and forms at https://www.wheaton.edu/shs.
Privacy Statement: All health information is treated confidentially. Nothing is released without written consent unless a life is in danger or a community risk exists. Each student will sign a confidentiality statement upon his/her first visit to Student Health Services.
Health and Wellness Fee
Health & Wellness Fee Policy
A Health & Wellness Fee of $130 per semester is charged to the account of every degree-seeking undergraduate student enrolled in classes on the main Wheaton College campus, except F1 VISA students who already incur a mandatory medical 3rd party provider insurance charge.
The Health & Wellness fee helps ensure that the College has the human resources to continue providing access to quality counseling and medical care in support of individual and community health.
The fee does not cover medications, lab tests, lab drawing fee, immunizations, allergy injections, medical supplies, or minor medical procedures.
Questions about the Health & Wellness Fee should be directed to student.wellness@wheaton.edu.
Graduate Students
Graduate students may voluntarily choose to opt-in to the Health & Wellness Fee each semester.
Students who do not opt-in are charged the current $45 first time visit fee and subsequent $30 per visit fee to see a doctor or a nurse practitioner at Student Health Services; a per visit fee to see a Counselor in the Counseling Center will also be charged according to the schedule below:
- Sessions 1 – 3 will be charged at $10 each
- Sessions 4 – 6 will be charged at $20 each
- Sessions 7 – 9 will be charged at $30 each
- Sessions 10 and beyond will be charged at $60 each
Access to Counseling Center and Student Health Services
Paying the Health & Wellness Fee does not mean that students have unlimited access to the Counseling and Student Health Services. Wheaton College clinicians providing the service will exercise clinical judgment to determine the appropriate frequency and duration of mental health and/or medical treatment. This determination will be based on best practices as well as current legal and ethical standards. Chronic, and various other, health conditions may necessitate that a student is referred to an off-campus specialist to support some or all their health care needs.
Off-Campus Academic Programs
Students participating in an off-campus academic program full-time (e.g., HNGR, Wheaton in Chicago, Study Abroad, etc.) will not be billed a Health & Wellness fee.
Refunds
The Health & Wellness Fee is non-refundable to students who withdraw from Wheaton College after classes begin.
Appeals
A student may submit an appeal for the Health & Wellness Fee to be refunded if she/he believes there is an extenuating circumstance, or a mistaken bill issued. An appeal may be submitted to student.wellness@wheaton.edu.
Student Health Insurance
All students are strongly recommended to have medical insurance coverage. Students should be covered for routine and emergency care as they study at different locations, programs in the U.S. or abroad. Wheaton College provides a mandatory health insurance product for all F1 visa holding students.
Learning and Accessibility Services
Learning & Accessibility Services (LAS) is a hub for academic support and coaching as well as to ensure equal access for students with disabilities through the provision of ADA accommodations inside and outside the classroom. The goal of LAS is to partner with students throughout their college journey so that they can persist through academic challenges and flourish during their time here. Any information shared with LAS will be held confidentially. Note that if a student requires ADA accommodations for any reason (mental health conditions, injuries, ADHD, etc.), it is their responsibility to reach out and request those in a timely manner.
Career Planning
The Center for Vocation and Career (CVC) aids graduate students in understanding their unique educational experience, skills, and interests and how those can be utilized in the Kingdom of God. The CVC offers specialized career coaching, internship guidance, resume and cover letter review, employer events and job fairs, interview preparation, and more. Students can connect with the CVC on Handshake, an integrated career platform where they can search for jobs and internships, schedule a coaching appointment, register for events, and access additional CVC resources.
Other Services
For the convenience of students, the College operates a post office and a Campus Store.
Family Rights and Privacy Act
Wheaton College is in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act which is designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office concerning alleged failures by Wheaton College to comply with provisions of the Act. Such complaints should be sent to: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-5920.
Wheaton College has adopted a policy which explains in detail the procedures used for compliance with provisions of the Act. Copies of the policy are available in the Registrar's Office.
Alumni Association
All graduates automatically become part of the Wheaton College Alumni Association. For information on alumni programs, upcoming events, and other services, contact Alumni and Parent Engagement.
Standards of Conduct
Membership in an academic community, particularly a Christian one, carries with it a unique and privileged responsibility. As a Christian institution, Wheaton seeks to relate biblical Christianity to academics, to co-curricular activities, to one's personal life, and to society in general. The goals of Wheaton College Graduate School stated earlier in the catalog, therefore, assume that a member is both committed to Christ and desirous of a meaningful educational experience in an evangelical context. The student, by virtue of enrollment, agrees to accept the Community Covenant as a member of the campus community.