Major Professor (Academic and Research Advisor)

Each graduate student must have a major professor prior to being admitted and initiating graduate study. This individual is selected prior to their admission in agreement with the graduate student. The major professor works with the graduate student to guide and direct his/her activities and development throughout their program. Selection of a major professor is largely a matter between the individual student and an individual faculty member. Factors having a bearing on the selection include finding areas of mutual interest, funding, professor’s previous commitments, and student’s abilities and goals. The major professor may be changed early in the student’s program if it seems desirable and is approved by the Graduate Committee.