Assigning/changing advisor

It is recognized that students’ topics may change, faculty may become unavailable, or more appropriate faculty may be available, thus necessitating a change in advisor. Regardless of committee oversight, the student’s advisor has the ultimate responsibility for communicating with the student, monitoring the student’s progress, mentoring the student, and holding the student to department, Graduate School, and University rules.

If a student desires to change advisors, the director of graduate studies (DGS) must be notified. Changing an advisor means that a better match for the completion of the degree work has been determined. Students are responsible for informing their current advisor as well as obtaining consent of the new advisor prior to notifying the DGS. To changes your advisor, e-mail the DGS. Request approval to change from Professor X to Professor Y and provide your rationale. Include your student ID number and the degree sought in your e-mail. You must copy all affected faculty members on this email. The DGS must approve all changes.

After receiving approval from the DGS, the Graduate Program Coordinator submits an official advisor change for the student with the Graduate School.