Frequently Asked Questions for New Students

For any technology questions regarding email, Canvas, WiFi, etc. please contact the Helpdesk by email at support@williamjames.edu or by phone at 617-327-6777 x1600. You can also find more information here.

After completing your enrollment requirements, you will receive an email from the Field Education Office to begin the process of determining your placement. Students in the PsyD in Leadership Psychology, MA in Organizational Psychology, and Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching (GCEC) Program will be contacted about field placement during orientation. Learn more about field placement here, or reach out to the Field Education Office directly with any questions.

Please note that students enrolling in the Master of Arts in Psychology program and the Graduate Certificate in School Leadership program do not have any field work requirements at this time.

For students not familiar with the Greater Boston Area, choosing a location can be difficult. We recommend reading The Guide to Boston and consulting with your advisor about locations that best fit your needs and interests.

The downtown section of Boston tends to be high-priced, while the surrounding communities tend to have more affordable options. The great majority of students live in communities such as: Allston, Jamaica Plain, Brighton, Roslindale, West Roxbury, Hyde Park or suburbs such as Brookline, Dedham, Newton, Cambridge, or Somerville, to name a few.

Please see our Housing Website for a comprehensive list of online housing resources.

Once you enroll at William James College, you can access housing information via our student Community Bulletin here. This is a good resource to look for roommates who also attend William James College or offer a housing opportunity.

Our Academic Calendar with semester dates, registration deadlines, holiday breaks, etc. can be found on the Registrar's page.

Once a year, our IT Office makes IDs for everyone. An email will be sent to your WJC email address announcing the date, time and location to have an ID made.

Students should purchase required textbooks from their preferred vendor before the start of classes. Lists of required textbooks may be emailed to you in advance of the semester. Please check with your department coordinator for more information. When available, lists are also posted here

The library is available to support the research needs of students and faculty through its collection of materials, interlibrary loan services, computer services, online reference databases and opportunities for instruction on library and research skills.

For more specific information about library services and hours, please visit our Library web page.

William James College is located at One Wells Ave in Newton, MA. For directions and local restaurants, lodging, and transportation information, click here.

Our campus has a large, free parking lot that does not require parking stickers or registration.

You can find full lists of our current faculty and administrative staff on our website here:

Faculty advisors will be assigned by your program director. You will receive your advisor's name and contact information via your William James College email address.

For any questions, please contact your program director.

Many academic and administrative departments, including library services, institutional research, The Brenner Center, career services, field education, and admissions offer part-time employment for students. The average work schedule can range from 5-15 hours per week. Learn more here.

All incoming students are required to take part in a brief Student Technology Orientation course prior to matriculation. This online course provides students with important information on William James College's technology, systems and databases, and best practices for e-learning. In addition, William James College has a highly-skilled IT Support and EdTech staff ready to address any technological concerns or problems students may have, whether they be on-campus or at a distance.

Click here to review more FAQs about distance learning, or contact our Helpdesk at support@williamjames.edu for assistance.

Once you enroll, look for our weekly newsletter, What’s Up Monday, which will be sent to your WJC email address every Monday morning. You can also follow William James College on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram, or view our events calendar here.

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The Dean of Students Office is available to assist you with your transition to William James College including resources on academic support, accommodations for student with disabilities, career services, wellness and student engagement.