Graduate Advising
Advising
A faculty advisor will be assigned to each entering student. This advisor will work with the student on course selection and the Plan of Study. At the end of the first year and each year thereafter until graduation, the advisor also submits an annual review to the Director of Graduate Studies, forwarded to the Graduate School.
The academic advisor must approve all requests for independent studies that substitute for regular courses. In the MA program, the advisor's approval of requests to enroll in 4000-level courses must precede enrollment.
The faculty advisor and student may also discuss ways to enhance course performance, continuing graduate study after the master's degree, career options, participation in professional activities, or other such topics that will help a student accomplish his or her goals for graduate study in English.
Students and advisors should meet at least once a semester. Course selection workshops that the Director of Graduate Studies holds each term may coincide with these meetings.
After the student has formed a thesis, independent study, or dissertation committee, the director of that project assumes the role as well of academic advisor.
Annual Reviews
The Department of English and Graduate School require an annual review of each graduate student. The review consists of two parts: a self-assessment by the student and an assessment of the student by the faculty advisor.
Each degree program (MA, MFA, PhD) has its own expectations for progress toward the degree. Please review the appropriate policy statement and annual review form for articulation of these expectations.
Review criteria for all degree programs include the following:
- Timely completion of degree requirements
- Timely completion of paperwork
- Course choices consistent with the goals of master's-level study
- Grades
In addition, students are encouraged to participate in the intellectual life and governance of the university by attending events and meetings or by accepting leadership roles; to develop their professional identities by joining appropriate academic organizations; to develop technical knowledge related to learning, research, teaching, and publishing; and to collaborate in research with faculty members when opportunities are available. All students are expected to adhere to the Virginia Tech Principles of Community.