Recommended:

• Graduate Program Council 2/5/04
• Approved by HSC Executive Committee 3/11/04
• Revision recommended by Graduate Program Council 11/11/04
• Revision approved by Executive Committee 1/12/05
• Revision approved by Graduate Program Council 3/8/10
• Revision approved by Graduate Program Council 12/2/10
• Revision approved by Executive Committee 1/13/11

1. School of Graduate Studies

The Texas A&M Health Science Center (HSC) School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is comprised administratively of all graduate programs leading to an advanced academic degree (M.S., M.S.P.H., and Ph.D.) from the HSC and their graduate faculty. Professional advanced degree programs, such as the D.D.S., M.D., M.P.H., Pharm.D., Dr.P.H., and postgraduate clinical programs leading to a combined M.S.-certificate in advanced dentistry are established and administered by the appropriate component of the HSC and their professional accrediting agencies, not the SGS.

The administrative headquarters of the SGS is on the College Station campus of the HSC. Graduate programs of the SGS may be based in a single location and may operate at branch campuses and distance sites of the HSC. The SGS may also support interdisciplinary-interinstitutional graduate programs in cooperation with affiliated institutions.

2. Administration

2.1. Dean

The Dean is the administrative head of the SGS. The Dean is appointed by the President of the HSC after approval by the Chancellor and Board of Regents of the Texas A&M System, in accordance with established Texas A&M System procedures. The Dean reports to the President on all matters relating to the SGS.

2.2. Associate Deans

The Dean may appoint an Executive Associate Dean for the SGS. The Dean, in collaboration with the Deans/Directors of other HSC components, may also appoint an Associate Dean or Director for each graduate program and campus location. Routine operations of the SGS graduate programs are primarily the responsibility of the Associate Dean or Director for each graduate program at each location. Each of the SGS Associate Deans and Directors reports directly to the Dean and Executive Associate Dean.

Interdisciplinary-interinstitutional graduate programs are administered by a Director who is appointed by the Dean. Directors of all interdisciplinary-interdisciplinary graduate programs report directly to the Dean and Executive Associate Dean.

2.3. SGS Office of Graduate Studies

The SGS Office of Graduate Studies is comprised of the Dean, the Executive Associate Dean, and administrative staff members.

The Office of Graduate Studies is responsible for assuring the quality of graduate programs leading to advanced academic degrees from the HSC SGS. Quality assurance mechanisms may include, but are not limited to: identifying necessary program policy content areas; reviewing applicable program policies and procedures; and establishing guidelines for both internal and external quality assurance review of academic degree programs.

The Office of Graduate Studies is responsible for assuring that appropriate educational policies and procedures for all graduate programs leading to an advanced academic degree (M.S., M.S.P.H., and Ph.D.) from the HSC are in place. Policies and procedures for clinical and other professional advanced degree programs, such as the D.D.S., M.D., M.P.H., Pharm.D., Dr.P.H., professional M.S., and certificate programs are established and administered by the appropriate component of the HSC and their professional accrediting agencies.

The Office of Graduate Studies works with the SGS Associate Dean at each HSC campus to coordinate and facilitate administration of the program; to assure programmatic quality; and to coordinate activities among graduate programs and concentrations of study at each location. The Office of Graduate Studies is also responsible for development of an annual strategic plan for academic graduate studies at the HSC and for appointment of Graduate Faculty.

3. Graduate Program Council

The Graduate Program Council (GPC) provides oversight regarding all policies and procedures related to the graduate programs of the SGS. The GPC also provides recommendations to the Dean on matters dealing with the mission, resources, organization, policies and procedures, and development of the Office of Graduate Studies. Initiatives and issues that impact on the Office of Graduate Studies and programs of the SGS are referred to the GPC for discussion and recommendation.

3.1. Membership

The GPC is comprised of the Dean, the Executive Associate Dean, the SGS Associate Deans and Directors from each location, and at least one representative of the Graduate Faculty from each program and program location for a two-year renewable term (September 1 – August 31). Ex officio non-voting members may be appointed by the Dean.

The Dean serves as chair of the GPC. The Executive Associate Dean for Graduate Studies chairs the GPC in the absence of the Dean.

Ad hoc committees comprised of faculty, staff, and students from the HSC and experts from external institutions and agencies may be appointed by the Dean as necessary to handle specific issues related to graduate affairs.

3.2. Meetings and voting

The GPC meets at least quarterly. The Dean may call additional meetings as necessary.

For general voting purposes, a quorum consists of a simple majority of the total committee votes. Recommendations on action items require a simple majority of the total votes present. The Chair is a voting member only in the case of a tie.

3.3. Functions

The GPC assists the Dean by assuring that appropriate policies and procedures are in place within each graduate program of the SGS in each of the following areas:

1. Admission of students
2. Academic evaluation and advancement of students
3. Selection of students for awards and honors
4. Academic and disciplinary due process
5. Strategic planning

The GPC provides recommendations through the voting process to the Dean on the following areas:

1. Proposals for new academic graduate degree programs
2. Approval of candidates for academic graduate degrees
3. Approval of appointments to the Graduate Faculty
4. Approval of policies for operation of the SGS
5. Adoption and amendment of the bylaws

4. Graduate Committees

The Associate Dean or Director for each graduate program at each HSC location forms a graduate committee comprised of members of the Graduate Faculty of the SGS. The purpose of the graduate committee is to provide input and advice by the Graduate Faculty concerning all aspects of the function of the graduate program, including student admission, advancement of students, and curriculum. The Associate Dean or designee chairs the graduate committee.

5. Graduate Faculty

The Graduate Faculty of the SGS consists principally of faculty appointed from the schools/colleges, centers, and institutes of the HSC. Faculty members from affiliated institutions who participate in teaching, training and evaluation, and supervision of research and committee work related to graduate education also qualify for membership on the graduate faculty.

Nominations of individual faculty members for the Graduate Faculty are made by the appropriate Associate Dean. Appointments are made according to the Graduate Faculty Membership rules (12.01.99.Z1.02 IP).

6. Adoption and Amendments of the Bylaws

These Bylaws and amendments thereto will be adopted when approved by a two-thirds majority of the entire GPC, review and recommendation by the HSC Executive Committee, and approval by the President of the HSC.

7. Distribution

The Office of Graduate Studies keeps on file copies of these Bylaws and amendments. The Office of Graduate Studies is responsible for distributing updated copies (in paper or electronic form) to all members of the Graduate Faculty. Incoming faculty members are also provided with a written or electronic copy of the Bylaws and its amendments.