Faculty Advisors

Each student admitted to graduate study in a specific program is assigned a faculty advisor by the Chair of the student's major program area. Special students may also be assigned faculty advisors by the Dean. The advisor of the degree-seeking student is the major professor whose responsibilities are to:

1. Aid the student in planning a program of study,
2. Advise the student regarding his/her progress toward the degree or certificate,
3. Advise on student petitions, and
4. Aid the Dean in observance of the University policies on graduate study.

Graduate Instruction

Graduate instruction is delivered by:

1. Members of the graduate faculty;
2. Other members of the program faculty whose level of training can provide the student expert guidance in specific areas in which such instructors possess special competence;
3. Certain instructors, not members of the regular Virginia State University faculty, who have been approved to teach specific courses based on preparation comparable to that of the graduate faculty.

In general, approval to teach specific graduate courses is given to instructors holding a doctoral degree and possessing experience and competence in the courses to be taught.

Course Syllabus

Faculty members must provide students with a current course syllabus by the second meeting of the class. The course syllabus must be comprehensive and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Instructor's first and last name;
• Semester and year the course is being offered;
• Office location and hours the instructor will be available to students;
• Email and Office Telephone contact number;
• Americans with Disabilities Act Policy;
• Description of course content;
• Course objectives;
• Special assignments and examination schedules;
• Current bibliography, as appropriate;
• Classroom decorum and attendance policies; and
• Grading system and other pertinent information.