Missouri State > Graduate College > Graduate Faculty Appointment
Graduate Faculty Appointment
Appointment to the Graduate Faculty information:
Application Materials:
As listed in the Faculty Handbook (2007)
3.12 Graduate Faculty - -
Faculty members holding an earned terminal degree appropriate to the graduate program mission, and with recognized competence in an area of specialization appropriate to graduate study at the University, may be accepted as a member of the graduate faculty upon a three-fourths majority favorable vote of the Graduate Council. Potential members of the graduate faculty are to be supported by a majority of graduate faculty in their department and approved by their Department Head and appropriate college Dean before being presented to the Graduate Council for approval. Members of the graduate faculty shall be competent in graduate instruction and the direction of scholarship, research, and creative activity, clinical or applied practice appropriate to the educational goals of a particular graduate program, and they shall be engaged in scholarship, research, or creative activity, clinical or applied practice appropriate to the faculty member’s academic discipline.
Normally, the graduate faculty is composed of individuals who hold academic rank of Assistant Professor or higher in departments or programs that offer graduate degree programs or supporting graduate courses through the Graduate College. Faculty members without earned terminal degrees, but who are widely recognized as leaders in their academic disciplines, may be elected to be graduate faculty upon receiving a three-fourths majority favorable vote of the Graduate Council. The number of graduate faculty in this category is limited; at no time shall it be greater than a number equal to 15 percent of the total graduate faculty.
Each graduate faculty member must meet specified criteria to receive graduate faculty status as set forth by the Graduate Council. Specifically, research faculty designated to direct graduate student research projects must have a terminal degree in the discipline, a minimum of three scholarly publications (or equivalent) in hand, and gain an affirmative vote of approval by a majority of graduate faculty within the nominating department. Clinical faculty needed to direct the clinical training of graduate students must possess a graduate/professional degree in the discipline, have available professional certification, at least two years of clinical experience, and have an affirmative vote of approval by a majority of graduate faculty within the nominating department. Performance faculty designated to direct graduate/artistic/performance projects must have a terminal degree within the discipline, demonstrate an established record of performance (art shows, concerts, theatre productions, etc.), and gain an affirmative vote of approval by a majority of graduate faculty within the nominating department. All research, clinical, and performance faculty recommendations must gain the majority vote of approval by the Graduate Council Membership Committee and be accepted by the Graduate Council. Faculty not meeting the full requirements for graduate faculty status can be given probationary status for two years that can be renewed for an additional two years. Academic departments may require faculty within their department to meet criteria for graduate faculty status that are in addition to the criteria set by the Graduate Council. All departments must have current criteria for graduate faculty status approved by the Graduate Council. All current departmental criteria must be on file with the Graduate College.
Upon receiving graduate faculty status, faculty members are entitled to teach 600-level and above courses, to serve as graduate program and research advisers, to serve as general graduate advisers, to serve on graduate faculty committees and graduate program advisory committees, to elect members to the Graduate Council, to serve on the Graduate Council, and to vote to approve or challenge actions of the Graduate Council. Under certain circumstances, an individual who has not been elected to the graduate faculty may be authorized by the Graduate Council to teach a specific 600-level or higher course if that individual's training and/or experience warrant. Graduate faculty members shall receive reassigned teaching loads for graduate program advisement, research advisement, or thesis supervision.
The term of appointment to the graduate faculty is normally for an indefinite period. However, a member of the graduate faculty may be removed by a three-fourths majority vote of the Graduate Council following such recommendation by the Department Head and appropriate college Dean.
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