Handbook of Graduate Studies

III.     ADVISORY SYSTEM

1  An advisory committee consists of a major advisor and at least two other associate advisors.

2  Initially, the Director of Graduate Studies will be the temporary advisor for all incoming graduate students. Students may also select associate advisors, but primary responsibility for initial academic guidance rests with the assigned advisor. Once certain requirements are met (see below), students need to change their major advisors and notify the Graduate School . 

3  M.A. Students may select an advisory committee after successful completion of Econ 5201 and 5202 (or higher level substitutes), but must do so before the end of the second semester in residence.  The advisory committee will advise the student until the completion of all M.A. requirements including the M.A. paper or thesis.  The student’s major advisor will ordinarily direct the student’s M.A. paper or thesis.  Associate advisors should be selected to serve as the secondary readers for the student’s M.A. paper or thesis.

4.  Ph.D. students are encouraged to select a major advisor and form their advisory committee after their second semester in the program, but must do so by the beginning of the fifth semester.  Primary responsibility for academic guidance will then rest with the major advisor of the student’s dissertation advisory committee until all degree requirements are completed.