The Graduate Faculty at Lamar University are crucial in advancing our mission of research, teaching, and professional development through high-quality graduate education. To be a member of the Graduate Faculty, faculty must contribute to at least one aspect of graduate education. This contribution may include:
- Teaching graduate-level courses at the 5000/6000 level.
- Chairing or serving on thesis and dissertation committees.
- Engaging in university-supported research.
- Supervising practicums.
- Advising graduate students.
- Leading or overseeing creative activities involving graduate students.
- Other graduate education requirements as defined by your academic department.
MEMBERSHIP: Membership in the Graduate Faculty is granted for a five-year term by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, based on recommendations from the Department Chair, Academic Dean, and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Full Graduate Faculty membership is open to all full-time faculty members appointed by Lamar University, including those who are tenured, on the tenure track, and instructional faculty with terminal degrees in their respective fields. Full Graduate Faculty members can also serve as chairs for comprehensive evaluations, thesis, and dissertation committees.
ALTERNATIVE MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS: Adjunct instructors, practitioners, external experts, and retired faculty can apply for Special Graduate Faculty membership (G4A), which is granted for a one-year term.
SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP: Any applicant for special membership should hold a terminal degree (LU Faculty Handbook, Chapter II.14) in the teaching field. If the terminal degree is not a doctorate in that field, the applicant must provide evidence that the degree is considered terminal or sufficient by the discipline and must complete the justification for special membership in the form below. Applicants without a terminal degree must demonstrate effective teaching in the field of expertise or practical experience approved under provisions of extraordinary cases. Special membership allows a faculty member to serve on thesis and dissertation committees, however, they are not able to chair such committees.
APPLICATION AND REVIEW TIMING: The review of full Graduate Faculty membership occurs every five years. Faculty members applying for full Graduate Faculty membership for the first time will be evaluated and granted membership, if approved, until the next review cycle. At the end of the five-year term, the College of Graduate Studies will initiate the renewal review process, following the procedures outlined in Lamar University's Faculty Handbook Chapter II.9, using the provided form (G4). The review of special Graduate Faculty membership occurs annually, also initiated by College of Graduate Studies using the G4A form.