Policy Statement
This policy governs the requirement that every graduate program must have a director of graduate studies (DGS) and the eligibility requirements for that role.
Every graduate program must have a director of graduate studies (DGS).
Eligibility Requirements
- Any University tenured or tenure-track faculty member with an earned doctorate or designated equivalent in an appropriate field from an accredited institution is eligible to serve as DGS.
- Collegiate units may develop additional eligibility criteria consistent with this policy.
Selection Requirements
- Each collegiate unit makes publicly available a written statement regarding the DGS position that includes
- DGS responsibilities, reporting lines, and term of appointment;
- eligibility criteria for the DGS role;
- a description of the selection and approval process, including effective graduate program faculty involvement;
- criteria and process followed for evaluation; and
- criteria and process, including consultation with graduate program faculty when appropriate, for removing a DGS prior to the end of their term.
- The DGS is appointed by the collegiate dean on the Twin Cities campus, or chief academic officer (or designee) on a system campus, after consultation with graduate program faculty.
- Graduate programs not housed within a single collegiate unit must specify in the graduate program’s Memorandum of Understanding which collegiate dean will appoint the DGS and what selection process will be used.
- The Memorandum of Understanding for such programs may include the opportunity to appoint co-DGSs. Eligibility and selection requirements outlined in this policy apply.
- All-University graduate programs must provide a DGS on each campus the graduate program is offered. Eligibility and selection requirements outlined in this policy apply.
Exceptions
Collegiate deans/chief academic officers or their designated representatives at the collegiate level may, with the approval of the Provost, assign the role of DGS (or co-DGS) to an individual who is not otherwise eligible under this standard. The Provost may delegate the approval responsibility to the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Education.
This policy does not apply to the J.D., M.D., Pharm.D., D.V.M., D.D.S., L.L.M., and M.B.A. [Twin Cities] degrees.
Reason for Policy
The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) represents the graduate program to faculty governance bodies, takes a leadership role in maintaining program quality and effectiveness, and communicates with collegiate deans and/or the Graduate School about the program's larger concerns.
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