The chairperson usually supervises the thesis or dissertation research, although that is not required. In most fields, a full Committee should be established by the beginning of the second term in residence. A full permanent Committee must be established by the end of the third semester of study. Students are encouraged to change the membership of their Special Committee if their academic interests change. For doctoral degree candidates , the Special Committee is composed of a chairperson, who represents the major subject, and two or more faculty members, who represent minor subjects.
Most fields require two minor subjects for doctoral programs, but a few require only one.
Some fields also appoint a member to the committee to represent the field. For M.A. and M.S. degree candidates, the Special Committee is composed of a chairperson, representing the major subject, and one faculty member, representing a minor subject. The Special Committee and the student constitute an independent working unit. The members of the Special Committee direct the student's program and decide whether satisfactory progress is being made toward the degree. They set specific degree requirements, conduct and report on oral examinations, and approve the thesis or dissertation.