Current Graduate Students
Everything you need to stay on track
As a current RLL student at the University at Buffalo, you are part of an active scholarly community. This page collects 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
Need to register for a course, declare your major, help getting involved or more?
Master’s project
Students complete the Master’s Project during the semester they finish their coursework, typically in the third or fourth semester of full time study.
You will:
- register for six credits of Master’s Project Guidance
- work with a two-member faculty committee
- select a focused research topic with your project director
- meet regularly with your director and show steady progress
Projects must be submitted to the committee by:
- November 15 (fall graduation)
- March 30 (spring graduation)
Any revisions requested by the committee must be completed before the Graduate School M-form deadline.
Department Forms and Resources
Use the resources below to support your graduate studies in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. Download the appropriate form, complete it and submit RLL forms to the department.
Forms
Use the forms below to request independent study, update advisor information and complete graduate degree milestones.
Thesis and Dissertation Resources
Preparing a thesis or dissertation? The Graduate School provides guidance and answers to common questions about the submission process.
Once you have completed your form, upload it using this submission form.
Graduate school is both academic training and professional preparation. The steps below can help you build skills, connections and career opportunities.
Know graduate school policies
Review the Graduate School policies and procedures to understand degree requirements and university regulations.
Departmental activities
Graduate students are encouraged to participate in the department’s honor societies and cultural organizations.
Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) supports graduate student life and organizes events throughout the year.
Professional organizations
Professional organizations help you share research and build academic networks, like the Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA).
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
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.
PhD students entering the academic job market often use:
- Modern Language Association Job Information List
- Chronicle of Higher Education job listings
- Beyond the Professoriate
- Interfolio to manage letters of recommendation and application materials
When requesting letters of recommendation, allow faculty at least one month to write your letter.
A consolidated set of academic, campus and wellness resources to support every part of your UB journey.
Academic Success
Developing self-learning skills necessary to succeed, 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. There’s something for every taste (and every schedule).
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. UB’s campus is big, but travel time is short.
Live where you’ll thrive. UB offers a wide range of housing, both on campus and off. From residence halls to nearby townhouses, you'll find the right fit for your lifestyle and budget. If you're renting off campus, be sure to read your lease carefully and know 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
And don’t forget to check 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. Whether you're here for four years or for life, there’s always something new to discover.