All graduate students are initially assigned to the Graduate Coordinator and Graduate Studies Committee for advising and can remain with the Committee for no more than two semesters. As soon as the student has determined what aspect of Geography he/she wishes to investigate for his/her thesis, he/she is directed to the professor(s) whose interests are most closely related to that branch of geography. Provided the professor is willing to accept the student, he/she becomes the student's major professor. Major professors must be regular or provisional members of the Graduate Faculty. For the M.A./M.S. program, an advisory committee consisting of the Major Professor and two additional faculty members is established. At least two must be regular or provsional members of the Graduate Faculty, and at least two must be grom the Geography Department. The prospective M.A./M.S. degree candidate and his/her advisory committee develop a Program of Study, in conformance with the interests of the student and the requirements of the degree. Normally, the Program of Study is developed during the student's first semester after selection of the Major Professor and advisory committee. The Program must constitute a logical whole and be approved by the student's advisory committee, Graduate Coordinator, and the Graduate School Dean. Only graduate level courses (6000 and above) can be listed in the Program of Study. No course with a grade below "C" can be used in the Program of Study. Any change in the Program of Study subsequent to the initial approval must meet with signature approval of all Advisory Committee members. Forms for the approval of the Program of Study are available from the Geography Degree Program Assistant.
