October 21, 2026 by

 

No matter how many years you’ve been at college, the next step always comes with new questions. What does living on campus at Cedarville look like as a graduate student?  

What Graduate Programs Does Cedarville Offer? 

 Cedarville offers a variety of grad programs, including programs within: 

What Does a Graduate Student’s Class Schedule Look Like?  

The first thing to think about is how classes change. While every program will have its own format, there are some similarities. 

As a graduate student, your classes will be mostly in one building. This can be really nice, as you don’t have to worry about walking halfway across campus for your next class or fighting rain and snow. You get to stay in your own cozy building with quick access to faculty and sometimes even special perks, like a grad-only lounge. 

Being in one building can also be a drawback, as you need to be more intentional to see the rest of campus. My advice would be to not restrict yourself to just the buildings you have classes in — try out studying in different locations on campus when you need a change of scenery!  

What Are Graduate Classes Like? 

Grad school moves fast, and you don’t have any gen-ed classes left as buffers, either. In the pharmacy program, most classes are completed in three to six weeks. Information comes quickly, and your classes require daily attention.  

Often, you are doing work before class that will prepare you for class activities rather than having lecture-based learning. Most of your free time goes to studying, but it is still important to do things unrelated to school, which can be a hard balance to find. 

Do Graduate Students Attend Chapel? 

Chapel is a big part of Cedarville University and is held at 10 a.m. every weekday. While attendance is required for undergrads, it typically is not required for grad students. I would still highly recommend going. It is a wonderful benefit of studying at Cedarville and a way to help you consistently walk with the Lord.  

It should still be noted that grad programs may occasionally hold events during this time, and that there is much more flexibility. And getting ahead of the after-chapel lunch crowd can be pretty great! As a grad student, you’ll have the flexibility to attend chapel and take advantage of these other opportunities. 

Image of the Dixon Ministry Center across Cedar Lake on a sunny day.

What Dining Options Are Available to Graduate Students?  

If you are living on campus, you will likely get a meal plan, which gives you easy access to all of the dining locations on campus. While many of your classmates may commute and pack lunches, some of them will also have commuter meal plans.

I’d encourage you to grab some friends and head to the dining hall for a good lunch break! It is a great way to get a change of scenery, catch up with friends, and have a much-needed break from school.  

Can Graduate Students Live on Campus?  

Students up to age 25 can live on campus in the dorms, which can be either hall- or unit-style.  

Students aged 20–29 can live in the Student Communities, which include: 

  •  Graduate housing (South Hall for women, Harriman Hall for men) 
  •  The townhouses 
  •  Married housing 
  •  College View student apartments 

Being in grad school can make you feel separate from the rest of campus, but living on campus can be an easy way to be more involved. Dorm events and having undergrad neighbors can help suck you back into the spirit of being a Cedarville student. 

How Can Graduate Students Get Involved on Campus? 

Another good way to be involved is to join an org.  

Your program may require you to join an org related to your major, which can be a good way to get more experience and contacts, but you can also join orgs unrelated to school. It’s good to take a break and do something fun!  

You’ll find options from crafts to languages to sports to Bible studies. The Involvement Fair is a great way to find some of the orgs, as is the Cedarville website. 

And if an org is too much of a time commitment, there’s always an event you can attend! Orchestra recitals, jazz concerts, athletic meets, academic talks, ice-cream socials, ALT nights, and dorm events can be easy ways to add some fun to your week without a weekly commitment.  

Image of a sunset over Cedarville's campus.

What Are Cedarville’s Graduate Faculty Like?  

One of the great things about Cedarville is that it’s a Christian university where people genuinely love the Lord. Another great thing about it is that it’s a fairly small campus.  

What do you get when you cross those two things?  Great faculty who know you and want you to succeed not just in school but in life. Take advantage of it!  

Most of the faculty (and staff!) in my program already know my name, and I haven’t even had many of them in class yet! They are there if I need help with an academic concept or even if I just want to chat.  

Some of the professions you might study in as a grad student are more close-knit than you might think, and the people you will be working with when you graduate might just know a member of your faculty. The occasional chat with faculty can also be a hassle-free networking method! 

Making the Most of Graduate Student Life 

While grad school is a big change from undergrad, living on campus is a great way to stay involved and still leave time for rest and fun.  

One last important piece of advice: Leave time for God! Spend time in the Word, attend church, and never forget that He loves you and has a plan for your life. 

However life goes, live it well! 

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