F4.7 Configuration Requirements for Higher Degree Committees

Updated: August 26th, 2011

Master’s Thesis Committee:

Chair (the first inside member)
Second inside member
Outside member (this is preferred, but not required; may be replaced by a second inside member)

Doctoral Qualifying Examination Committee:

Chair (the first inside member)
Second inside member
Third inside or additional members (see below)
Outside member

Some majors require 4 committee members, 2 of whom must be in the student’s major.
Other majors require 5 committee members, 3 of whom must be in the student’s major.
The Chair of the Qualifying Examination Committee cannot serve as the Chair of the Dissertation Committee for the same student. (However, a student’s Qualifying Examination Committee Chair may serve as a Dissertation Committee Co-Chair if the other Co-Chair is from the same department.)
There cannot be Co-Chairs for the Qualifying Exam.
One additional member beyond the required number may be added to the Qualifying Examination Committee.
Two members beyond the required number may be requested by the Head Graduate Adviser in a memorandum addressed to the cognizant Associate Dean, in care of the Graduate Services: Degrees Office (318 Sproul Hall, #5900).
If a student is reexamined, the committee for the second examination must be the same as for the first exam.

Doctoral Dissertation Committee:

Chair (the first inside member)
Second inside member
Outside member

An additional or third inside member may be added but is not required.
Two co-chairs may replace one chair.
The Dissertation Chair cannot be the same person that served as Chair on the student’s Qualifying Examination Committee. The Qualifying Examination Chair may serve as a student’s Dissertation Co-Chair, however, if the other Co-Chair is a member of the same department.
A memorandum addressed to the cognizant Associate Dean, in care of Graduate Services: Degrees Office (318 Sproul Hall, #5900), is required to request a committee membership of 5 or more faculty.