Deposited Graduate Student Checklist
Congratulations! We're so excited you are joining the RWU graduate student community.
If you've already submitted your deposit, please follow the steps below to make sure you're ready to get started. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission if we can be of any assistance to you at 401-254-6200 or gradadmit@rwu.edu.
Within 48 hours of submitting your deposit, you should receive an email containing all of your RWU account login details with information on each of the critical systems you will be accessing as a student.
RWU Email: The official University student email system is Gmail. You can access your email at gmail.rwu.edu. Your RWU email address is the official destination for all electronic communication between the University and you – we will no longer be sending information to the personal email account you indicated on your application. Please be sure to check your RWU email regularly as important university communication will be sent only to this address. All student email accounts end with @g.rwu.edu.
Effective immediately, your RWU email address is the official destination for all electronic communication between the University and you – we will no longer be sending information to the personal email account you indicated on your application. Please be sure to check your RWU email regularly as important university communication will be sent only to this address.
Account Access
To access and utilize your new email account, click the link below and use the login credentials included in the email you received to log in.
Please test your login as soon as possible. Should you have any difficulty logging in, please contact the RWU Help Desk at (401) 254-5200 (Option 1), or myRWUHelp@rwu.edu.
Please note that your email credentials will only be provided to you after you submit your enrollment commitment deposit.
Roger Central: Roger Central allows you to register for classes, access a number of university systems and services, and review your grades. The portal is located at rogercentral.rwu.edu.
Please note that your Roger Central login is your username followed by @academics.rwu. (Do not include .edu)
Bridges Learning Management System: The University uses an online learning management system called Bridges. You will use this system to access any online courses you have or materials that are provided online as part of your traditional courses. The system is available at bridges.rwu.edu.
MediaTech Helpdesk Portal: The technology available at RWU can be overwhelming. For quick answers to your questions, please visit the MediaTech helpdesk portal. There is a collection of Knowledge Base articles on the services at the university. You can also submit a request for help here, if needed. The portal is located at mediatech.rwu.edu.
ADSelfService Plus: All RWU account passwords are self-managed using the ADSelfService Plus tool. It is an easy-to-use, secure, web-based end-user password reset management solution. You can easily manage your passwords and unlock your accounts 24/7/365 without a call to the helpdesk. The tool is located at passwords.rwu.edu.
Zoom: The university uses Zoom for meetings, and it is integrated to be used for online courses through Bridges. You will need to create your RWUZoom account, and install the client. To setup and access your account, please visit rwu.zoom.us.
Laptop Repair Depot: The Laptop Repair Depot service at the MediaTech desk provides laptop and desktop diagnostics, hardware and software repair, data transfer, data recovery, and infection removal. All labor for students is free, but students are responsible for purchasing technician-recommended parts, if needed. Students must sign the RWU Computer Intake Liability Waiver.
For a list of services, provided please review the Student Laptop Repair Scope.
Laptops can be dropped off at the MediaTech desk in the first floor of the Main Library. For questions, call 401-254-6363 or email mediatech@rwu.edu.
Most RWU graduate students utilize federal student loans to support some or all of their studies and related expenses.
If you are hoping to take advantage of federal student loans, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have it sent to RWU. The RWU school code is 003410.
All graduate students are considered to be of independent status; parent financial information is no longer required on the FAFSA for determining eligibility for federal student aid.
You will need to complete a FAFSA form each year you want to apply for financial aid. You may also need to provide the Graduate Financial Aid Office with a copy of your previous year’s tax return including all schedules if requested to do so.
You're almost ready to register for classes! Before you register, you should contact your Program Director for advisement on course selection. In order to ensure that all new graduate students register for appropriate courses, we require that you do this prior to registering for your first graduate courses.
Some graduate programs have students register for courses at Orientation (held in late August for the fall semester only). Please consult your Program Director for the most appropriate time to register.
All graduate students should become familiar with the graduate academic policies located in the University Catalog. Particular items to note are the add/drop period, withdrawal policy, and tuition refund policy. All students should be familiar with all policies prior to enrolling in a course at RWU.
Graduate Student Academic Policies
Policies related to Graduate Admission are available on the Policies & Disclosures page.
Roger Williams University offers a limited number of campus based housing options for graduate students. Students who deposit by the May 1st deposit deadline will receive first consideration for any available on-campus housing.
VeryApt
RWU Graduate Programs and the RWU School of Law have partnered with VeryApt to provide a comprehensive housing resource guide, discussion board, and housing listings.
Housing Map
The highlighted areas in the map display some of the communities where our graduate students choose to live in the local area. We've also included some of the apartment complexes in the area on the map. Individual rentals in homes will be shared on the RWU Graduate Students Facebook Group. If you expand the map (use the [ ] button in the upper right), you can customize your view with things to do, restaurants, hotels, airports, and more. You can also select the arrow button in the upper left of the map window to view specific categories.
If you did not graduate from Roger Williams University, you must request your final, official undergraduate transcript showing a conferred bachelor’s degree to be submitted to RWU before you can begin your classes. We must also have your official transcripts for any additional transfer or graduate courses taken at other institutions if you did not supply them during the application process.
Official electronic transcripts can be forwarded to us at gradadmit@rwu.edu or hard copy transcripts can be mailed to the following address:
Office of Graduate Admission
Roger Williams University
1 Old Ferry Rd.
Bristol, RI 02809
RWU student transcripts will be obtained on your behalf. Your deposit reflects your permission to pull your transcripts on your behalf.
To provide a safe and healthy academic community, RWU complies with Rhode Island health regulations on immunizations and requires proof of health insurance of all full-time, campus-based students.
- All full-time, on campus graduate students are required to submit the RWU Immunization Form, Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Screening Questionnaire, and proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (including all required shots of the respective vaccine) or an approved exemption prior to enrollment. Students should plan to have these forms completed by July 1st for the fall semester, but must have them fully completed before starting classes. Submit your forms on the RWU Health Portal. You will need your RWU login information to access the system. Note that your forms may not be available to complete until 48 hours after you register for your courses.
- All part-time, on campus graduate students are required to submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption prior to the start of classes on campus. Submission instructions will be sent to you via email.
To ensure your success in getting started in your graduate studies, you should plan to attend one of the Graduate Student Orientations.
Textbooks for each of your classes will be posted on the the Roger Williams University Bookstore website. Once you've registered for your courses, you can search for your books by course number and section on the Bookstore website. Some professors also provide the syllabus for their course(s) prior to the start of class on the Bridges site and required books are typically included.
If your books are not currently listed, they may not have been posted. Try again at a later date or contact your faculty member for more information. Textbooks in many cases can be purchased or rented.
Bristol Campus Parking
All graduate students are allowed personal cars, but students wishing to park on the Bristol campus are required to obtain a valid parking permit from the Office of Public Safety. Graduate students enrolled in 9 or more credits per semester will be required to pay an annual fee for a parking permit, which allows you to park in the approved spaces shown on the map below.
Providence Campus Parking
Graduate students parking at the Providence campus (1 Empire Plaza, Providence, RI 02903) are not required to obtain a parking permit, but are advised to obtain one in case there is a need to park on the Bristol campus. If enrolled in less than 9 credits per semester, the parking permit will be free of charge, but if enrolled in 9 or more credits per semester, you will be required to pay the annual parking permit fee. Students parking at the Providence campus should park in the Providence Civic Center Garage located on Washington Street. Simply bring your parking ticket in to be validated at the front desk on the first floor of the RWU building.
How To Obtain A Parking Permit
To obtain a permit, please follow the directions below, based on your intended course load. Please note that you must already be registered for classes in order to obtain a valid parking permit:
Students enrolled in less than 9 credits per semester (part-time) and parking at the Bristol campus:
Graduate students enrolled in less than 9 credits per semester are granted a free parking permit. Please follow the directions in the document below to obtain your free parking permit, then apply using the link to the Parking Permit Application.
Students enrolled in 9 or more credits per semester (full-time) and parking at the Bristol campus:
Graduate students enrolled in 9 or more credits per semester are required to purchase a parking permit.
All graduate students must obtain an RWU student ID. Bristol-based students can obtain their student IDs during Orientation or can visit the ID Office at any time prior to starting classes. Providence-based students will have their photos taken at Orientation and cards will be provided by the academic program coordinator.
If you wish to avoid the line at Orientation or visiting the ID Office in person, you may submit a clear, appropriate picture to the Office of Graduate Admission via email and your ID will be made available for you at Orientation or at a later date.
Join the RWU Graduate Student Facebook Community to connect with other RWU graduate students, find roommates, discuss campus life, and more.
Staying healthy is important as you pursue your graduate studies. Take advantage of all that the RWU Recreation Center has to offer for you: recreation facilities, weight room, cardio machines, exercise classes, a pool, and more. Memberships are $50 per six-month period.
Graduate students can purchase a membership to the Campus Recreation Center for $50 per six-month period. Membership includes access to all of the amenities and services available in the Recreation Center including the weight room, cardio machines, racquetball/squash courts, pool, and exercise classes. Membership blocks run from January 1st to June 30th and July 1st to December 31st.
Learn more about recreation and fitness at RWU
To pay for your Recreation Center membership:
Log in to Roger Central and select the Make Payment tab. Below your account balance box, you will see a menu of additional items. Add your membership and follow the prompts to make your payment.
Many students like to earn some extra income while they're in school. We've created a student employment site for on-campus jobs and provided some resources for finding jobs off campus.