Graduate Project Center

Graduate Project eLigibility?

S-TESL students who meet these requirements are eligible to submit a graduate project:

  • hHad at least a bachelor’s degree prior to the start date of the course
  • earned at least a B grade in your course (B- and lower grades are not eligible).
  • [SU student] submitted the Graduate Credit Request Form on first day of class (You should still have the goldenrod copy of this form)
  • [SPU student] submitted the online Graduate Credit Request Form (for evening/online)(for four week intensive) by the stated form deadline.
There are no exceptions to these requirements

Deadlines

The due date is always at midnight PST one month from the last day of your class, even if the due date follows on an weekend or holiday. For example, if the class ends Nov 25, the project is due by midnight on Dec 25.

What you need to submit

You will be submitting 3-4 components
  1. Document #1. Your graduate project assignment as a single PDF document. Please do not break your project into multiple smaller documents because you will only be able to upload 1 document.
    The file name must contain your name, course number, and quarter studied. The course number for four week intensive is 4wk. (e.g.. janesmith_930_F11.pdf or bobstudent_4wk_Sp12)
  2. Document #2. Your reflection sheet as a single PDF format. This is a two page form, but it needs to be in one document. [click for reflection sheet options]
    The file name must contain the initials RS (for reflection sheet), your name, course number and quarter studied. The course number for four week intensive is 4wk. (e.g. RS_janesmith_930_F11.pdf or or RS_bobstudent_4wk_Sp12)

  3. Document #3 (optional): Additional supplemental material as may be required by your project assignment.
  4. Payment by Paypal

Maximum file size for uploaded documents is 10Mb.

Technical Details About Your Project Documents

  • Only PDF’s are acceptable. We cannot accept your project in any format other than PDF. If you need assistance with converting your project file to PDF check out YouTube. (example tutorial: YouTube). You can find many helpful tutorials on how to create PDF documents.
  • If you need to know how to change your file name to the accepted format helpful tutorials can be found on YouTube. (examples, PC or Mac )
  • The file size limit is 10Mb. If your project document exceeds 10Mb it is usually because your document contains too many images, or contains large or high resolution images. No S-TESL graduate project requires such high quality images or so many graphics that you cannot meet this 10MB file size limit. You can reduce the quantity and/or quality of the images to reduce the file size.

Payment

Payment is by Paypal only. You do not need a Paypal account to submit payment via Paypal. Paypal allows you to pay quickly and securely.

attention image Important tips before you begin

  • Test your login right away. You don't need to upload anything at first, but you want to make sure you can access the system. If there is a problem we'll need time to solve it.
  • Do not wait until 11:45 pm on due date to upload your project. If a technical problem arises you'll need time to solve it before your deadline.

Ready to submit your project?

Gather your login information...

[SU] Your goldenrod copy of your Graduate Status for Course Request form has your login information attached. You completed this form on your first day of class and your instructor will have given you a goldenrod copy.

[SPU] Your login information was emailed to you with the subject line IMPORTANT Access to the Graduate Project Upload Center

If you have lost your email or goldenrod you may be able to decipher your login informaiton with the following information.

Login name:

[old] your full name, lower-case, no spaces
[e.g. John Robert Smith's login = johnrobertsmith]
If you are taking more than one class a number will be added to your second class [ie. 1st class = johnrobertsmith, 2nd class = johnrobertsmith2]

[new] your last name + course number [e.g. John Robert Smith's in ELT 5530's login = smith5530]

Note: special characters like dashes or apostrophes are eliminted. [O'Malley is written as omalley, Ege-Zavala is written as egezavala]

Password:

[old] Course number and quarter and year studied (abbreviated), lower-case, no spaces
[e.g. ELT 5530 in Spring 2013 password = 5530sp13, or Four Week Int = 4wksp11]

Quarter abbreviations :
Winter = wi
Spring = sp
Summer = su
Fall = fa

[new] Your project due date in ddmmmyy format [e.g. 17oct13]

 

...and continue to the graduate project upload center.

launch graduate project upload center

Technical Support

If you can't find an answer in the FAQs below, or are experiencing problems with the Graduate Project Uplaod Center, please contact us at steslgrads@spu.edu.

NOTE: Technical support is for problems regarding the Graduate Project Upload Center only.
Technical support cannot assist with problems with document creation (creating PDFs, using your word processing softare [formatting, etc..] or image editing & compression).
Consult the many resources on the web, or your software manufacturer's website for assistance with software issues.

Graduate Project assistance is available
M-Th 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Closed noon - 1pm and occasional Fridays for graduation.

FAQs?

click question to display answer.

General Questions

Q. I'd rather submit a hard copy of my project or I'd rather email a copy to the office. Can I do this instead of using your project upload center?
No. We only accept graduate projects uploaded through our graduate project upload center. Projects submitted any other way will be rejected.
Q. What if I discover I've uploaded the wrong files?
You may upload the files, providing you're uploading within 24 hours of your first submission. You must start the process from the beginning. Upload the correct files and re-submit payment. Email steslgrads@spu.edu to notify the office of your second submission. Our staff will refund the first payment within 2 business days and delete the incorrect upload. Important things to keep in mind:
  • Your second upload shouldn't occur more than 24 hours after your first upload. If you need to correct an error more than 24 hours after the first upload contact steslgrads@spu.edu for assistance.
  • Your second upload must still occur before your project due date. You will not be able to reupload if your due date has passed.
Q. I took more than one class this quarter. Can I upload multiple projects at the same time?
No. Each project and payment must be submitted individually, using the login information provided for your your specific class.

Submission Deadlines

Q. What if my project due date falls on a weekend or holiday?
Your due date is always one month from the end of class. For example, if your class ends on November 25th your project is due on December 25th. It doesn’t matter if this date is a weekend or holiday, your project must still be submitted by midnight PST on this date.
Q. What if I submit the project after the due date?
You cannot upload your project if your due date has passed. Once your due date passes the system disables your login.
Q. What if I can’t meet the due date, but still am interested in doing the project?
If you are an SPU student (taking Seattle Pacific Univeristy ELT classes) your deadline may be extended for an additional 30 days. Only one extension can be granted per project.
To request an extension login to the graduate upload center. If you are eligible for an extension a link will appear at the top of the upload screen. Click the link and follow the steps to request your extension. Note: your extension request must be submitted before your original due date.
Do not call the office to request an extension, no verbal requests will be granted.
Seattle Pacific University graduate students are cautioned that requesting an extension may affect your program graduation date.
IMPORTANT: Beginning Spring Quarter 2013, Seattle University students CANNOT request extensions. Projects must be completed by the original due date.
Q. It is 11:45 pm on my due date and I can't get this to work. What can I do?
See above for "What if I can't meet the due date and I still want to do the project". Note, this solution only applies to those who are eligible for an extension or who are not submitting a re-write. If are not eligible for an extension, or you are submitting a re-write, your deadline is firm and your project must be submitted by midnight PST on your due date.

Technical Questions

Q. How do I know my project was received by S-TESL?
After you've uploaded your project and completed the payment process you'll receive an email confirmation. There will be two separate emails: one to confirm your file upload was successful, then a second to confirm payment was submitted. We encourage you to view your upload at the upload center to ensure you've uploaded the correct files, and confirm the payment column is marked complete.
Q. What if I experience computer problems?
We recommend beginning the uploading process early to solve problems before you're up against your deadline. Avoid waiting until the last minute. We are not responsible for computer problems on your end and your project must still be submitted by the due date.
Q. I've tried to upload my files but the process times out, or doesn't take me to the payment screen. What's wrong
In most instances this problem is caused by oversized files. Check your size of the files you're trying to upload. The combined size of your project, reflection sheet, and supporting documents is 10Mb. If your file size exceeds this amount you'll need to find a way reduce that file size. Usually the most effective way to do this is reduce or eliminate images or graphic elements in your documents.
Another common problem with upload time-outs is browser incompatibility. Opera, Chrome and older versions of browser may not work, or experience time-out issues. The upload system works best in new versions of Intenet Explorer or Firefox.
Q. I have my project as multiple documents in a folder, but when I upload it only accepts a single document from the folder. Why won't it upload the whole folder?
Your project needs to contained in a single PDF document. If you have multiple files you'll need to combine them into a single document. Do not upload a folder, and do not zip a folder to be uploaded. We cannot accept projects that are not contained in a single document.
Q. What if I do not know how to create a PDF?
There are many video tutorials located on YouTube. Free and low cost options for PDF creation are readily available. PDF is the only format we will accept. It is your responsibilityl learn how to convert your documents to this format.
Q. What if I forget my password and login?
If you are a Seattle University EPDES student your login information is with your goldenrod copy of your Graduate Status Request form.
If you are a Seattle Pacific University ELT student, your login information was emailed to you.
If you don't have this information on hand see above in the Ready to Proceed section for clues on how to determine your login information.
Q. What if the project upload center is down?
If a technical issue occured during your upload please try again at a later time. Our system logs outages and we can check when service was unavailabe. If a website outage impacts your ability to upload your project within your due date please contact the project administrator for assistance.
Q. I'm having problems with my upload and the office is closed. Who do I call for assistance?
If the office is closed, call the next business day. Technical issues can occur which is why it is essential to not wait until the last minute to submit your project. It is your responsibility to ensure your project is successfully submitted by your due date. The only technical issues we can take into consideration are those we determine occured on our end.
Q. Can I email my instructor for technical questions?
Your instructor cannot answer questions regarding the project upload system. Please do not contact him/her for assistance.

Project Content

Q. When is it appropriate to contact my instructor about my project?
You many only contact your instructor when your question pertains to the assignment. Your instructor cannot assist with technical questions regarding the upload site, answer administrative questions regarding the graduate project process, or let you know of the current status of your project in the project handling process.
Q. How long should I expect to hear feedback regarding my project?
Allow approximately 4-6 weeks for your instructor to read the project and for the paperwork to be processed. Do not contact the office with questions about your project until this time has elapsed, we will only answer that your project is being processed and do not know the current status of your project in the project handling process.
Q. I've passed, what happens next?
The S-TESL office will mail instructor feedback and documentation stating that the project has been approved for graduate status credit. Your transcript will not change. You must keep this documentation to prove that the nature of the credits has changed from post-baccalaureate credit to graduate status credit.
Q. What if my instructor does not pass my project??
If your instructor does not pass your project the first time, you may re-write it. If a re-write is required detailed instructions will be emailed and sent by post to you. Rewrites:
  • Are due in the STESL office three weeks from notification.
  • Require an additional $50 rewrite fee.
  • Have a firm due date. Extension requests for re-writes will be denied.

Payment Questions

Q. What is the graduate project fee?
There is a $80 fee that you will pay via Paypal. This is a secure method of payment. You do not need to create a paypal account to pay in this way.
Q. What if I inadvertently cancel the payment process before it is complete?
If you cancel your payment transcation before the process is complete you will need to start the project submission process from the beginning. Your project must be uploaded and payment submitted in the same transaction. Your project will be rejected if payment is not submitted at the same time.
Q. Why does the Paypal transaction say "Training and Supervision Consultants?
The School of Teaching ESL is legally known as Training and Supervision Consultants dba The School of Teaching ESL. Paypal requires us to use our legal business name on their transactions.
Q. I don't have a credit card, how am I supposed to pay?
Paypal offers alternative payment methods, including the option to pay by e-check. Details are available at Paypal.com
Q. I've uploaded my project. Can I mail the office a check, or call the office with my credit card number?
No. The only payment method for graduate projects we will accept is via Paypal. Your project will be rejected if the payment is not submitted via Paypal at the same time as the upload.