M.A. Graduate Handbook

Organizations for Governing

Graduate Study

University of South Florida

The development of University policies for graduate work is the responsibility of the USF Dean of Graduate Studies with the assistance and guidance of the University Graduate Council. The membership of the Graduate Council consists of faculty members who represent the various colleges, two graduate students, and the Dean and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. Faculty members serve three-year staggered terms; students serve for one year.

The USF Dean of Graduate Studies and University Graduate Council exercise the right of inquiry and review to ensure the development and maintenance of high academic standards in all graduate programs; review all new graduate courses and programs, as well as modifications to existing courses and programs; and review/recommend policies and procedures pertaining to graduate financial aid.

College of Education

The Dean of the College is responsible for all graduate programs. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Dean is assisted by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Programs Committee, the College of Education Graduate Council and the Graduate Student Association.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

While the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs is responsible to the Dean, he/she has direct administrative responsibility for managing graduate programs. He/she is the program development and quality control officer for graduate programs within the College of Education. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs is responsible for implementing policies related to credentialing of graduate faculty, appointment of thesis/dissertation committees, allocation of graduate tuition waivers, and exceptions to graduate admission criteria. He/she serves as an ex-officio member of the Graduate Programs Committee and a member of the COEDU College Council. He/she coordinates the ongoing revisions of the College of Education (COEDU) Graduate Handbooks and the COEDU sections of the University Graduate Catalog.

Coordinator of Graduate Studies

The office of the Coordinator of Graduate Studies is housed in the College of Education's Office of Student Academic Services (SAS). The Coordinator of Graduate Studies is responsible to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs who reports to the Dean. The Coordinator of Graduate Studies serves as an ex-officio member of the Graduate Programs Committee and is responsible for implementing policies and processes related to admission of graduate students in the College of Education. This includes the approval of Planned Programs of Study, eligibility for and administration of comprehensive examinations, certifying students for internship, graduation, and filing of petitions. He/she provides information and general advising to prospective graduate students. This office maintains files for all active graduate students in the College of Education.

Graduate Programs Committee (GPC)

This committee is comprised of faculty members elected to represent the College of Education Departments/School and graduate students appointed to represent the student body. It is responsible for the review of new or revised graduate level courses and programs, the development and review of new or revised policies and procedures that govern the implementation of advanced graduate programs, and systematic review of these programs. Recommendations on new/revised programs, courses, and policies and procedures are forwarded from the GPC to the COEDU College Council for approval at the College level. New/revised programs and courses on approval by the COEDU College Council are then submitted to the University Graduate Council for university approval.

Graduate Student Association (GSA)

The purpose of the GSA is to meet the needs of graduate students in the College of Education through the promotion of increased communication among graduate students, faculty, and the college administration and the provision of opportunities for mutual support, enrichment, and exchange of ideas.  The GSA homepage is: http://www.gpsc.usf.edu/.

Credentialed Graduate Faculty

Faculty are credentialed at either Full or Associate levels according to criteria developed by the College and approved by the Dean of the College of Education. Recommendations for credentialing status are made by the College of Education Credentialing Committee to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  Associate and fully credentialed faculty serve as major advisers for master's students. They also serve as members of  master's committees.

A current listing of credentialed faculty is available in the College of Education Dean's Office.

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