Advising a student

Advising & Registration

Graduate Advising

Faculty Mentors

Once admitted to the program, students will initially be assigned to work with the Graduate Program Director until the student chooses a faculty mentor. Graduate students are responsible for, and required to, secure a faculty mentor. Any tenure-track faculty member who has an interest in working with a particular graduate student can act as a faculty mentor for that student. The students will contact a faculty member and ask the faculty to become their mentor. It is the prerogative of the faculty to either take the student as their mentee, or turn the student down. If a student cannot procure a mentor within a one semester period, the student will not be able to register online without first meeting with the Graduate Program Director, and may be advised to consider another graduate program.

The mentor serves in part as an advisor to the student for the purposes of course selection and career planning. The Mentor should meet with the student at least twice a year to:

  • Review the Graduate Handbook.
  • Review expectations of the program.
  • Discuss course selections, encouraging students towards sociology electives.
  • Review progress within the program and towards graduation.
  • Discuss professional opportunities: paper presentations, professional organizations, AKD
  • Honor Society, opportunities on campus and within the local community.
  • Discuss Thesis or Practicum options.

In addition, the mentor will help the student to successfully navigate the requirements of the practicum or thesis. The mentor will:

  • Commit time and expertise in guiding the student through the graduate program.
  • Work with the student to correct deficiencies in skills and content by suggesting specific courses and activities for remediation as needed.
  • Guide the student in his/her applied work during the practicum or thesis experience.
  • Serve as the principal advisor for the student in completion of the practicum or thesis. Ensure that the student has completed all required coursework.
  • As a member of the student’s Practicum or Thesis Committee, certify that the student has met all the criteria of the practicum or thesis.
  • Explore possibilities for publication of the student’s work, either individually or jointly.
  • Assist the student in the employment search process upon completion of the degree.

In any given year, a faculty member typically will mentor 3-5 students. If students wish to change mentors during their time in the program, they must first notify the Graduate Program Director of their intention to change mentors.

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