Role of an advisor
Advising can be defined as offering constructive counsel and guidance to graduate students in order to assist them in meeting their academic and professional goals.
An advisor:
- provides advice about course selection,
- supervises student research (for students completing a dissertation, thesis, or report) and guides them to timely completion,
- discusses with students about their educational and professional goals and potential career paths, and
- plays an active role in the professional development of students.
Setting shared expectations and understanding what the advisor and graduate student can expect from each other is critical in having a healthy advising relationship.
Students shouldn't expect advisors to answer every question they have. It's important to develop a network of professionals to support career development. This network will include your examining committee, peer mentors, professional mentors, and other colleagues. These professional relationships will contribute to student's growth as a professional.
Program and Degree Requirements
Graduate Program Directors
Find a listing of current graduate programs, graduate program directors, and graduate program assistants.
Graduate Faculty Locator
Search by graduate program to find faculty who can serve as advisors for graduate students.
Forms and Deadlines
Find forms for students and programs.
Degree Completion Timeline
Find a list of items needed to complete a degree and when to complete them.
Degree Requirements
Find current degree requirements for graduate students.
Policies and Procedures
Find current policies and procedures for graduate students.
Finishing a Graduate Degree
Theses and Dissertations |Reports
Read the current policies and procedures for the preparation and submission of these documents.
Online Seminars
Watch a seminar from the Graduate School to learn about the submission process, Adobe Acrobat, and Word.
Graduation, Certification, and Commencement
Forms and procedures required before graduation.
Financial Information and Resources
Fellowships
Learn about external funding opportunities.
Assistantships
Several types of assistantships are offered to Michigan Tech students.
The Graduate School Emergency Funds
A loan and/or grant available to Graduate Students who are in sudden financial need.
Travel Grants
The GSG help students attend regional and national conferences.
Tax Information
Important tax information for resident and nonresident graduate students. On campus, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is available to assist students in completing tax forms.
Additional resources available online, such as Sprintax, to assist International students in completing their tax returns.
Find Help and Assistance
Graduate School Staff
Answer questions regarding degree progress.
Student Health Insurance
Answer questions regarding health insurance
Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX
Devoted to an environment that is free from prejudicial discrimination or harassment and that is conducive to learning and individual growth for all campus members and visitors. Includes Title IX, Disability Services, and more.
University Ombuds
Find support for informal conflict-mediation services.
Conflict Resolution Network
Find support and resrouces for conflict resolution.
Holds
Find out how to remove the most common holds on accounts.
Medical Withdrawal
Learn how graduate students with medical issues can apply for a leave of absence.
Tip Line
File an anonymous report about unusual behavior or alarming events on campus.
Student Concerns and Complaints
Find resources to address and report concerns.
Graduate School Grievance Policy
Learn about our policy for formal conflict resolution when informal resolution is unsuccessful.
Technology and Tools
- Canvas—Access course materials | Get help from Instructure| Get help from the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning
- IT Resources for Graduate Students
- Software Distribution Center —Download software available to students (requires MTU ISO ID and password)
- E-mail, Email lists, Calendars, and Collaboration
- Google Apps—Gmail | Drive | Sites | Google+
- Google Calendar—View and Subscribe | Schedule a meeting
- Library resources for graduate students
- Plagiarism detection software—Examine your documents for plagiarism (requires MTU ISO ID and password)