Faculty
GRADUATE FACULTY
The graduate faculty consists of those members of the teaching and research faculties who have been so designated by the Chancellor, upon recommendation of the Graduate Council acting on appropriate nominations. Such designations provide for classification as Members, associate members, or affiliate members, according to their qualifications and experience. (The term, “Member,” when capitalized, denotes a full member of the graduate faculty.)
Faculty members who hold the rank of adjunct professor, adjunct associate professor, or adjunct assistant professor in a department offering work for graduate credit are eligible for graduate faculty status as full Members or associate members, depending upon their qualifications.
Qualifications for Appointment
Full Member- indefinite term, subject to review:
- rank of associate professor or professor in a department offering work for graduate credit;
- highest degree appropriate to the field or unquestionable evidence of comparable achievement in the field;
- experience in direction of theses and/or dissertations or in developing and teaching graduate-credit courses;
- current and sustained scholarly or creative activities as indicated by publications in recognized journals in the field, books, and exhibitions or performances.
Initial appointment of new faculty members:
- six-year term for initial appointment; three-year term for reappointment, renewable;
- rank of assistant professor or higher in a department offering work for graduate credit;
- highest degree appropriate to the field or unquestionable evidence of comparable achievement in the field.
Renewal of appointment or initial appointment of faculty members with at least six years of professional experience:
- qualifications include participation in the graduate program and scholarly or creative activities indicated by publications in recognized journals in the field, books, and exhibitions or performances.
Research Affiliate Member
- three-year term; renewable;
- qualified for associate membership but ineligible because appointment is not in an LSU department offering work for graduate credit or because appointment is not at the rank of assistant professor or higher;
- may serve as member of thesis, dissertation, and examination committees but may not normally chair one of those committees;
- affiliate members who have a continuing and particularly close association with a graduate instructional program may, at the special request of the department, be given permission by the dean of the Graduate School to chair committees.
Professional Affiliate Member
- three-year term, renewable.
- evidence of expertise or knowledge that is directly relevant and applicable to the professional program in which the individuals will be teaching must be presented.
- expertise is defined in terms of activities recognized by the focal area as indicative of excellence. Appropriate indicators may include but are not limited to: terminal degrees in focal or relevant areas; professional certification; licensure, diplomas, or record of professional practice; and demonstrated professional excellence through performances, exhibitions, presentations, professional publications, or national awards.
- may serve on thesis or master’s examination committees, but may not normally chair one of these committees.
- professional affiliate members who have a continuing and particularly close association with a graduate instructional program may, at the special request of the department, be given permission by the Dean of the Graduate School to chair master’s thesis and examination committees.
- when advanced undergraduate or master’s level courses are taught by professional affiliate members, participation in that course will normally be limited to undergraduate and master’s level students. If a doctoral student enrolls for graduate credit in a course taught by a professional affiliate, prior approval must be secured from the Dean of the Graduate School.
Privileges and Responsibilities
Full Member
Members determine policies of the Graduate School, engage in all graduate education activities, and nominate faculty for membership on the graduate faculty. Doctoral general and final examination committees must include two full Members of the graduate faculty, including one from the major department.
Associate Member
Associate members may engage in all graduate education activities. They may chair a thesis committee if that committee includes at least one full Member of the graduate faculty from the major department. They may chair a dissertation committee if that committee includes at least one full Member of the graduate faculty from the major department.
Research Affiliate/Ex Officio Member
Affiliate members and Ex Officio members may serve as members of thesis, dissertation, and examination committees but may not normally chair one of these committees or determine policies of the graduate faculty. Affiliate members who have a continuing and particularly close association with a graduate instructional program may, at the special request of the department, be given permission to chair committees.
Professional Affiliate Member
Professional affiliate members may serve on thesis and master’s examination committees, but may not normally chair one of these committees or determine policies of the graduate faculty. Professional affiliate members who have a continuing and particularly close association with a graduate instructional program may—at the special request of the department—be given permission to chair committees. When advanced undergraduate or master’s level courses are taught by professional affiliate members, participation in that course will normally be limited to undergraduate and master’s level students. If a doctoral student enrolls for graduate credit in a course taught by a professional affiliate, prior approval must be secured from the Dean of the Graduate School.
