Graduate advisors, chairs and committees
Graduate students receive one-on-one faculty advising, as well as administrative support.
Faculty advisor
Your faculty advisor is your primary resource and authority on your program of study. It’s up to your advisor to assess the appropriateness of your academic program relative to your goals.
You should meet with your advisor at least once each semester to discuss progress.
Choosing an advisor
As a new graduate student, the director of graduate studies will help you make decisions about your first-semester coursework, after which you'll choose an advisor. As you progress in your studies and learn more about The Media School and our faculty, you are free to switch advisors at any time.
Choose an advisor who has the expertise necessary to provide guidance relevant to your chosen career path and with whom you work well.
Meet the faculty
Start your advisor search by getting to know our faculty members.
See faculty profilesAdvisory committee
You’ll also have an advisory committee (your faculty advisor plus two or three additional faculty) to approve your program of study and oversee exams and capstone projects. You must select your committee during your second semester of study.
Committee requirements and processes vary depending on which degree you’re pursuing.
Your committee should consist of three faculty members, at least two of whom are Media School faculty.
Students who fail to select an advisory committee or construct a program of study by the end of the second semester will be considered to be making inadequate progress toward the degree.
The M.A./M.S. advisory committee is appointed via the program of study, and no additional form is needed.
You should name a faculty advisor who will serve as the chair of your advisory committee by February 15 of your second semester of study.
Name your advisorYour committee should consist of four faculty members: your faculty advisor, two additional Media School faculty members and one faculty member from outside The Media School.
You should name a faculty advisor who will serve as the chair of your advisory committee by February 15 of your second semester of study.
You must nominate your faculty committee by April 15 of your first year of study. Students who fail to file a program of study approved by their committee by Oct. 15 of their second year of study will be considered to be making inadequate progress toward the degree.
To change advisors, use this form.
Appoint your advisory committeeDoctoral research committee
Your doctoral research committee is formed after you defend and pass your qualifying exams and must be submitted after your nomination to candidacy form is approved with the University Graduate School. If you're a doctoral student, your research committee will guide you through your dissertation process and will ultimately be responsible for approving your dissertation once you've successfully defended it.
Your committee must consist of at least four faculty members:
- At least three of these members must be members of The Media School graduate faculty.
- At least one member must represent each minor department.
Chair
One of your research committee members will be the chair. The chair must be a member of The Media School faculty and must have endorsement by the University Graduate School to direct doctoral dissertations.
Administrative support
Stacy Zhou, graduate studies administrative associate, is available to assist you with administrative inquiries, such as setting up your IU email account, scheduling exams and, applying for graduation.
You may also contact her to request the most recent version of the graduate student handbook.
Career coaching
The Walter Center for Career Achievement's career coaches are available to assist you with career planning.
Learn more about career coaching