Major Professor and Master's Supervisory Committee
The major professor plays a significant role in the life of a master's student. His/her role is to assist the student in selecting elective courses, direct the preparation of the thesis or master's paper, chair the master's supervisory committee, and provide general advice and counseling related to the student's pursuit of the degree.
Students who choose the area paper or thesis options should select a permanent major professor soon after entering the program. In most cases this should be done by the end of the first semester in residence. They may choose anyone on the faculty who has been designated as having graduate faculty status by requesting that the faculty member serve in this capacity. If the faculty member agrees to serve, the student must notify the graduate coordinator of the appointment and seek the dean's approval. Those choosing the course work-only option for the degree will use the director of graduate studies as their faculty advisor throughout their tenure in the program.
The master's supervisory committee is composed of the major professor and two other faculty members holding graduate faculty status. Students are expected to choose their additional committee members with the assistance of their major professor. Once selected, the names are submitted to the dean for approval. The official form identifying the major professor and members of the advisory committee is included in this guide. For full-time students, this form should be submitted before the end of the third semester of residence.
