Information for Current Students
Everything you need to stay on track
As a student at the University at Buffalo, you are part of an active scholarly community. This page brings together the key resources, policies and contacts you need to plan your coursework, meet program milestones and stay engaged in department life.
Resources for:
Essential UB Student Systems
Graduate School policies and student resources
Use the links below to access official Graduate School policies, scholarships and fellowships, international student guidance and degree-specific deadlines.
Graduate School resources
International student resources
Scope
This policy covers all submissions to the students’ committee and to the graduate school of a completed thesis or dissertation, inclusive of
- for doctoral students: the written and oral components of comprehensive examinations, dissertation proposals, and dissertations, to include outlines and other draft work;
- for masters students: all work relating to the thesis, to include outlines and other draft work.
Permitted uses
Grammar checking features
AI programs may be used to correct grammatical errors and make minor editorial corrections, inclusive of style and usage norms. Such usage must be acknowledged and students are required to preserve and furnish original unedited drafts of all writing upon request. The writing in all cases must remain the student’s own.
Translation
AI programs may be used to assist with and check translations from one language to another, including from source materials into English. Such usage must be acknowledged.
Data processing
AI programs may be used to perform routine data processing tasks, such as generating written transcripts from audio recordings, organizing data entered into software programs and creating tables and graphs.
Prohibited uses
AI-generated text
No text of any nature and any length, inclusive of abstracts, may be submitted as the student’s own or included in any submission, even if cited as such, unless as part of the analysis of AI-generated text for research purposes. All writing must be the student’s own.
Scholarly judgments and conclusions
No scholarly analysis and judgments or conclusions may be taken from AI programs, even if cited as such. All scholarly analysis and judgments and all conclusions must be the student’s own.
Generation of data
No data of any nature, inclusive of case studies and historical or literary examples, may be incorporated, even if cited as such. All data must be generated through the student’s research and scholarship.
Data analysis
No analysis of the data collected through the student’s research may be taken from AI programs, even if cited as such. All data analysis must be the student’s own.
Disclosure requirements
All AI use must be fully and specifically disclosed in a statement within the thesis or dissertation.
Consequences
Violation of the AI use policy will be treated as academic misconduct and subject to the relevant university policies and processes.
Review process
This policy is subject to periodic review and amendment.
Graduation and Commencement
Graduation (degree conferral) and participating in commencement are two separate steps.
Step 1: Apply for graduation
You must apply for graduation to have your degree officially awarded.
- Students pursuing a master’s degree, advanced certificate, AuD, DNP, DSW or EdD must apply for graduation in HUB.
- PhD students must submit a PhD Application to Candidacy.
Step 2: Register for commencement
After applying for graduation, you must separately register to participate in the commencement ceremony and walk in cap and gown.
When you place your order, you will be guided in selecting the appropriate regalia based on your academic discipline and degree.
Your Regalia Colors
Caps and Gowns
- Master's: Black
- Doctoral: UB regalia is blue.
Tassels: Blue and white
Hoods: Hoods are lined in blue and gold. The width of the velvet border varies by degree, while the color of the velvet border indicates the academic discipline; PhD hoods are trimmed in royal blue.
If you have questions about our programs, please contact:
Support and resources available to students across identities and experiences.
The Career Design Center helps you explore options, build practical skills and take action on your goals. Whether you are just starting to think about what comes next or actively preparing for jobs or graduate school, you will find clear guidance and real opportunities to move forward.
What you can do at the Career Design Center:
- Meet one-on-one with a career design consultant
- Get support with job and internship searches and graduate school planning
- Use online tools for resumes, interviews, networking and exploring real-world challenges
- Attend job + Internship fairs, skillshops and networking events
- Gain access to thousands of jobs + internship postings on Bullseye powered by Handshake.
- Explore the Career Design Studio any time to discover tools, resources and ideas that help you plan your path.
A consolidated set of academic, campus and wellness resources to support every part of your UB journey.
Academic Success
Develop skills such as reading textbooks, taking notes, checking for understanding, and utilizing faculty, peers and tutoring.
Social Integration
Engaging, learning outside the classroom, developing networks of support and healthy behaviors in managing stress.
- Athletics, Recreation and Intramurals
- Counseling Services
- Experiential Learning Network
- Health Promotion
- Intercultural and Diversity Center
- LGBTQ+ Center
- Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs
- Psychological Services Center
- Stress Management and Prevention
- Student Engagement
- Student Health Services
- UB Events Calendar
- Veteran Services
Understanding UB
Successfully navigating UB’s physical setting, including its interconnected online systems and resources.
- Campus Living
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Financial Aid at 1Capen
- Hired: Professional Clothing Boutique
- HUB Student Center
- International Student Services
- Navigate
- Parking and Transportation at 1Capen
- Registrar: HUB Student Center Training Guides
- Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
- Student Accounts
- Setting up your tech
- Technology Guide
- UBIT Help Center
This is more than college. It’s your new home.
From late-night bites to early-morning classes, UB is designed to help you thrive—on campus, off campus and all over Buffalo. Whether you’re settling in or just visiting, here’s everything you need to make life at UB easier, warmer and way more fun.
Hungry? You’ve got options. Choose a traditional meal plan at one of UB’s dining halls or explore campus cafés with international flavors like Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Mediterranean and Mexican.
Getting around UB is easy. Whether you're walking from your dorm, hopping on a free UB Stampede or Shuttle, or driving your own car (permit required, small fee), getting to class is simple and convenient.
From residence halls to nearby townhouses, you'll find housing options both on campus and off. If you're renting off campus, learn your rights as a tenant.
🛒 Shopping
Buffalo winters are legendary. Get what you need to stay warm and stocked. Nearby shopping spots include:
- The Boulevard
- Walden Galleria
- Wegmans
- Tops Market
- Target
- Walmart
📚 Textbooks
Save money and stay ready. In addition to the University Bookstore, try:
- AbeBooks
- Amazon.com
- Ebay.com
- UB Libraries for digital and reserve copies
- Student mailing lists or e-bulletins for used books and swaps
🌆 Life in Buffalo
Buffalo is a city with heart, history, flavor and energy—and only minutes from Niagara Falls and Canada. There’s always something new to discover.