Some Plan C programs do not require a Supervisory Committee. Refer to Plan C specifics below.

The Supervisory Committee is comprised of the student’s advisor (committee chair) and supporting committee members. The major adviser-student relationship must be a mutually acceptable one. The goal in selecting a supervisory committee is creating a team to help the student develop a Plan of Study to align with the student's desired professional goals, provide support in the growth of the student as a professional, and oversee the student’s final project or final examination.

The supervisory committee members should be identified before the Plan of Study is formulated so that all committee members have a chance to contribute. The supervisory committee, agreed upon by the major advisor and student, is approved by the graduate program coordinator at the time the Plan of Study is submitted.  

Plan A and Plan B   

The supervisory committee will have at least three members. The members consist of:   

• The major advisor, who must be a full or affiliate member of the graduate faculty Level 1 or Level 2, will be the committee chair. 
• A second member, who must be a full or affiliate member of the graduate faculty. The second member may serve as co-adviser on the supervisory committee. The co-chair designation implies equally shared responsibilities in guiding the student through to degree completion.
• A third member, who could be either a full member of the graduate faculty from outside the advisor's home department or a qualified off-campus expert in the field. 
  • The external member cannot be an affiliate graduate faculty member of the advisor’s home department/program.

To add an external member (not full or affiliate graduate faculty) to a graduate committee, attach to the Plan of Study or supervisory committee form:

1. A letter of support from the department chair (program coordinator for interdisciplinary programs), including the expertise this person brings to the committee.
   1. The letter must come from the department chair (program coordinator for interdisciplinary programs) only, not the advisor. 
2. A copy of the external member’s curriculum vitae (CV)

Plan C   

• The student’s advisor must be a full or affiliate member of the graduate faculty. If the program does require students in this option to form a supervisory committee, all members must be a full or affiliate member of the graduate faculty.

Advisor or Supervisory Committee Changes

Advisor changes and changes to the supervisory committee may be made with the Request to Form or Change Supervisory Committee form. The student, advisor, graduate program coordinator, and the Graduate College must approve changes. 

Supervisory Committee Meetings

While students will meet with their advisor often, meeting at least once a year with the supervisory committee is recommended. 

Students may not bring food or beverages for the committee members to supervisory committee meetings, preliminary examinations, or final examinations. If a program wishes to provide refreshments at these meetings, it is the responsibility of the program to pay for and obtain them. 

Final Defense

*The following policies do not apply to Plan C option students. Refer to your program handbook for more information on procedures. 

The final defense is an oral examination given to the supervisory committee in which the author of the master’s paper, thesis, or culminating work demonstrates satisfactory command of both the focus area of their project and the broader field.  

Notification of Scheduled Defense

At least seven (7) calendar days prior to the final defense date, the Notification of Scheduled Final Defense form must be approved by the student’s advisor and graduate program coordinator and filed with the Graduate College. 

• A successful submission requires all signatures, not only that the graduate student has initiated the form. 
• If the form is not filed seven (7) calendar days prior, it will not be approved by the Graduate College. 
• A final defense takes place without an approved notification form is considered void. A new defense date must be scheduled and the Notification of Scheduled Final Defense filed seven calendar days prior to the new date.  

Pre-defense Document Distribution

• The master’s paper, thesis, or other culminating work must be distributed to the committee members for review at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the defense.   
  • If this seven (7) day stipulation cannot be met, the student’s committee holds the right to cancel the final defense. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Graduate College if their defense does not take place as scheduled and to complete a new Notification of Scheduled Examination.  

Defense Attendee Policy   

• If one supervisory committee member cannot participate in the final defense, the defense may be held; however, their absence is considered a “Disapproval” of the student’s defense. 
• If more than one supervisory committee member cannot participate in the final defense, the defense must be rescheduled. 
• It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Graduate College if their defense does not take place as scheduled and to complete a new Notification of Scheduled Final Defense.

Final Defense Outcomes  

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the Report of Final Defense, ensure all committee members sign it, and submit it to the Graduate College within 14 calendar days following the defense.

• A successful submission requires all signatures, not only that the graduate student has submitted the form.
• If the form is not submitted within 14 calendar days, the defense is considered void and must be rescheduled.

The student must pass a final defense as part of earning the master's degree.

• A negative vote by two or more members of the student's committee will signify failure of the defense.
• The student may repeat the defense only upon permission from a majority of the supervisory committee. The committee will set a date at least one month after the failed defense and a new Notification of Scheduled Examination must be submitted within the seven (7) day deadline.
  • Exceptions to this time limit will be considered by the graduate dean upon presentation of written justification from the chair of the committee in consultation with the committee. Should the defense be failed twice, the student cannot continue in their graduate program. 
  • The student will not be given a third defense except by recommendation of the examining committee, program coordinator, and special approval of the Dean of the Graduate College following consultation with the Graduate Council.