The faculty who are full members of the Graduate Faculty and who are active in the Graduate Program at Stephen F. Austin State University are experienced in directing independent study courses. New faculty usually become Associate members of the Graduate Faculty so that they may acquire experience in directing independent study with the oversight of senior faculty, department chairs, Deans of the Colleges and the Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research. Faculty members specifically recruited for the doctoral programs at Stephen F. Austin, if they bring experience in directing theses and dissertations, may be immediately granted full membership on the Graduate Faculty, as part of the terms of their employment. Information on the qualifications of faculty directing independent study can be found in the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and in Department files. Graduate faculty are active members of the academic community both on campus and off.
Members serve on faculty committees as elected or appointed members.
Many are active in faculty governance. They are supportive of campus activities and sponsor local chapters of scholarly organizations. They sponsor their graduate students for membership in scholarly societies, and they may bring students to the meetings of such societies. Each faculty member teaching courses at the master's and specialist degree level must hold the terminal degree, usually the earned doctorate, in the teaching discipline or a related discipline. Stephen F. Austin State University is in compliance with this criterion.