The advising relationship between student and faculty advisor is an integral part of graduate education. The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) initially advises each graduate student in the MA and PhD programs, while the Director of the MFA program initially advises each student in that program. In their second semester, graduate students select an individual faculty advisor in consultation with the DGS, and in accordance with the student’s areas of interest and the faculty member’s areas of research or creative writing expertise. Once the faculty advisor has been chosen, students meet with that advisor for continued course and exam planning. All students may consult at any time with the DGS.

Once selected by the student, the faculty advisor, in consultation with the student, will propose an advisory committee of three to four faculty members, according to the degree program. Typically students will form their advisory committees by the end of their second semester in the program.  Each student should meet with his or her advisory committee at least once a year, particularly in preparation for exams or thesis writing. The specific procedures for choosing advisory committee members are outlined in the Graduate Program Manual of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.