Graduate Faculty Status Membership is defined by Senate Policy 711.1 and revisions to the policy were approved in 2025 with Senate Proposal 17-25. Graduate Faculty Status appointment procedures are defined by Senate Procedure 711.1.1.
Tenured and tenure track faculty are automatically granted Graduate Faculty Status. Other Individuals must be recommended for appointment by the academic unit.
Types of Appointments
Graduate Faculty Status grants individuals the opportunity to advise graduate students, serve on graduate advisory committees, and teach graduate level courses. There are two levels of appointments: Full and Associate.
Full and Associate status grant the ability to:
- Teach graduate level courses
- Serve on advisory committees for Master’s and PhD students
- Serve as co-advisors to Master’s and PhD students
Individuals with Full Graduate Faculty Status may also serve as a sole advisor of
a Master’s or PhD student.
Once appointed, each candidate is reviewed every eight years.
Membership
Graduate Faculty membership consists of academic faculty holding the following ranks (either instructional or tenure track)
- Assistant Professor
- Associate Professor
- Professor
- Faculty awarded Emeritus status upon retirement retain membership
Tenured and tenure track faculty are automatically granted Graduate Faculty Status when they are hired.
Other people may be granted membership by the Dean of the Graduate School. See the table below for a summary of who may request Full or Associate status. The unit may request Graduate Faculty Status by following the process described on the Recommendation for Appointment to Graduate Faculty Status form. Please contact the Graduate School with any questions.
It is expected that all appointed to Graduate Faculty Status possess
- A record of research, scholarship, or achievement appropriate for the graduate program that nominates them;
- The necessary background for, and a continued interest in, teaching graduate courses; and
- A commitment to effectively advise, mentor, and fund graduate students
Evidence that a candidate meets the qualification requirements may include:
- Regularly publish articles in recognized journals
- Have earned the terminal degree in their field
- Have a record of effectively advising, mentoring, and/or funding graduate students
Summary of Appointments
The types of appointments that are possible based on the qualifications of the candidate and relationship with the University are summarized below.
*The Dean of the Graduate School may, under special circumstances, consider a full appointment when:
- The tested candidate is relevant to assigned teaching and scholarly duties, and
- The tested candidate is recognized by peers for distinguished professional accomplishments, and
- The candidate is considered an expert in the course(s) taught or the scholarly activity supervised.