The student will select a thesis, dissertation, or independent-study advisor and an advisory committee by the end of the students' second semester of residency. The advisor and members of the advisory board must be approved by the department chair and the Graduate Dean. At the M.S. level, the advisory committee consists of at least the advisor and two other faculty members.
Some departments require five members on the advisory committee.
The thesis, dissertation, or independent-study advisor serves as chair of the advisory committee. The student should meet with his or her advisory committee at least once a year. Written permission from the advisor, the department head, and the Graduate Dean is required for exceptions to the described course load. Graduate students registered for twelve or more credit hours may audit up to three credit hours each semester. The audit credits apply to the semester course requirements.