Graduate Advisor Resources

The following guide has been designed to assist you in locating policies and procedures, which are important in advising graduate students.

Table of Contents

Role of the Graduate Advisor

Graduate advisors have a major role in the academic life of graduate students. Texas State graduate advisor responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • serving as program liaison with The Graduate College
  • submitting admission recommendations
  • initiating degree audit changes
  • coordinating program recruitment and retention initiatives 
  • coordinating graduate assistantships and scholarships with the department chair
  • reviewing curriculum with program faculty
  • coordinating comprehensive examinations
  • serving and/or chairing departmental and Graduate College committees
  • supporting program research initiatives
  • facilitating internal and external program review with the department chair
  • advising and mentoring students as they work toward the completion of degree requirements

 

All Texas State graduate advisors must be members of the graduate faculty (see the AA/PPS 04.01.30 Nomination and Evaluation Procedures for Graduate Faculty (7.03)). The graduate advisor is recommended for appointment by the chair/director of the academic department in which the program is administered and approved by the graduate dean. The Graduate Advisor Appointment Form must be completed and submitted to the graduate dean for approval. If the graduate advisor has administrative support, the Graduate Advisor Support Access Form should be submitted to The Graduate College before access to the systems is granted. If the admissions review committee needs access to review graduate admission records, please complete the Graduate Faculty Admissions Committee Form.

Graduate advisors support the mission of the university and reflect the high standards of leadership in graduate education, as defined by the Council of Graduate Schools in the US.

Admissions

Note: Texas State implemented a one-time process for spring 2020 that allowed students to request that a final grade be changed to Emergency Pass, or EP, upon approval of their faculty member in the course. This process was developed with the student’s best interest in mind as we navigated the changes in our classrooms, our families, our homes, and our communities due to the coronavirus pandemic. When evaluating applications, students should be held harmless for having earned an EP grade.

Graduate Council & Meeting Minutes

Orientation & Training Resources

New (and current!) graduate advisors and support staff can refer to the videos and resources found here for tips on efficient and effective advising. Stay tuned for more videos, best practices, and other resources!