After admission to the Graduate School, students must meet with a graduate advisor before enrolling in any graduate courses. The advisor, designated by the graduate program coordinator, assists students in planning their initial coursework. Students must consult their advisor before enrolling in any course that may count toward their graduate degree.

Students pursuing a thesis are encouraged to work with their graduate advisor or program coordinator to establish an advisory committee. This committee plays a critical role in guiding the students’ academic progress, including:

• Developing the degree plan
• Overseeing academic actions related to the student’s program
• Administering comprehensive examinations before degree conferral
• Providing academic counseling and support
• Addressing academic deficiencies and making recommendations to the Graduate School

Students are encouraged to maintain regular communication with their advisor and advisory committee to ensure successful progress toward degree completion.