Committee members

Family Social Science believes in an ‘it takes a village’ approach to support the growth and development of emerging scholars in our program. Committee service represents significant  time and effort from faculty who commit to supporting students who ask us to serve in that capacity. So, we encourage students to take the task of identifying and inviting faculty to serve on your committee seriously. As your research focus takes shape, think about the background and expertise of FSoS faculty that would contribute to your scholarship. When you invite them to be on your committee, let them know why, what you believe they will contribute.

For Master’s Plans A and B, and MA-PhD: Your committee consists of one FSoS graduate faculty member in addition to your advisor and one faculty member from outside FSoS for a total of three committee members. Submit the Assign Committee Members MA form by the end of your second semester.

Students in the MA-PhD program will submit the Assign Committee Members PhD form after they transition to the PhD program.

For PhD students: 

Your departmental committee consists of three Family Social Science faculty members who will guide your studies, evaluate your critical review paper, and conduct your annual academic progress reviews. You should select your departmental committee by the end of your second semester, and submit the Departmental Committee Members PhD formAssign Committee Members form (PhD).

Prior to your preliminary oral examination, you should have an approved doctoral committee consisting of two FSoS graduate faculty members in addition to your advisor, and one faculty member from outside FSoS for a total of four committee members.

When selecting an external committee member, please check the following guidelines:

• If the  faculty member is at the University of Minnesota, check the central graduate faculty list to determine whether or not they have graduate faculty status. If they do, then you can submit your full committee roster to GSSP at this link. 

• If the person you’ve selected to serve as your external committee member is at the University but does NOT have graduate faculty status, OR the person is faculty at another university, OR the person is a member of a community group or organization who has knowledge and expertise that is critical to your dissertation work, then you must provide a rationale and request approval from the FSoS DGS for their service. Please follow the instructions at this link to request approval. 

Please note: The three FSoS members evaluate your Written Prelim Exam (the Critical Review) and doctoral portfolio completion, and conduct your Annual Academic Progress Reviews. All four committee members evaluate your Preliminary Oral Examination, approve your dissertation research plans,  and vote at  your Final Oral Examination (Dissertation Defense).