Each degree-seeking and conditionally admitted graduate student will be assigned a graduate advisor upon admission. Prior to the initial registration each student must work with the advisor to establish a program of study, approved in the first semester, signed by the department/program director and filed in the Graduate School Office. Failure to receive prior approval for courses may result in those courses not counting toward the graduate degree.

Graduate Committees

If required in the approved program of study, the advisor will help the graduate student establish a graduate committee as soon as reasonably possible. The student will select a graduate committee of a minimum of three Missouri Western graduate faculty, one serving as committee chair. The student may add up to two additional committee members, including one member who is not a Missouri Western graduate faculty but who have substantial knowledge of the student’s program of study.

Approval of committee membership is required by the department/ program director and Graduate Dean. The committee is responsible for formal approval of the proposed scholarly work as required by the program. All signed original forms, including program of study and approved scholarly work, must be filed in the Graduate School Office.