Advising Graduate Students

Expectations of graduate student advisors

As the faculty advisor to a graduate student, you are the primary resource and authority on the student’s program of study.

We allow a great deal of flexibility in our program (there are few required classes), but this means we rely on the faculty advisors to determine the appropriateness of the student’s program relative to the goals of the student.

Advisors should meet with their students at least once a semester to discuss progress. Advisors are required to approve independent studies, projects, and internships and are a key source of feedback on graduate student progress.

After the completion of a graduate student's qualifying or capstone examination, the committee chair must report the results (pass, fail, or defer). The results will then be routed for approval by other committee members, followed by the director of graduate studies.