They were closer by than other schools with a similar program; and a small knit community. I liked the idea of completing an internship and a thesis before completing graduate school and entering the workforce.
Course Curriculum
Challenging and comprised of a lot of work on your own. However, it is a very real-world applicable. I feel challenged as well as preparation for entering the workforce. There is a lot of reading and responding to other students on discussion board posts, as well as semi-weekly assignments that connect to the readings and other coursework.
Placement
Professors describe them as being good. They state that Iona prepares students to be ready for immediate employment following graduation. Although, employment rates post-graduation have not been specifically addressed yet.
Internship
Yes, it does. In the graduate program, students complete an internship during their second fall semester. One must log 300 total hours at a cite that has a pre-existing relationship with the school. Each week a student will complete part of their binder assignment; stating what they did that week and how it relates back to what they have learned in their courses.
Events
We are a private Catholic institution, so therefore we celebrate all events that the Catholic church would. Others may include St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day, Black History Month, International Women's Day and so on.
Fees
We pay per class, and per credit. Depending on the program you pay a dollar amount for each credit taken. You pay for room and board, dining, textbooks, and other supplies for class, along with anything else one may need. I live off campus, so therefore I pay for my food and living expenses separately.
Scholarship
I receive federal aid, as well as a scholarship for my overall GPA. That scholarship was awarded to me when I applied to the school as a senior in my undergraduate institution.
Examination Structure
Usually, there are two exams for each course. There is a midterm and a final. Some courses that are structured differently have more than that during the 15 week semester, but most follow a midterm and final exam schedule pretty consistently.
Faculty
There are not many of them. We have two full-time faculty members in the program. It is nice because you get to know your professor better, however challenging when you want work to be graded. It is not always easy to get feedback on assignments in a timely fashion because of this.
Hostel
I rent a room with a family less than a mile off of campus. I have use of all amenities, bathroom, shower, kitchen privileges, laundry, wifi, cable and so on. They provide me with parking and basically all the comforts of home at their home.