Program Structure and Roles

IIP Graduate Director

Appointment: Typically, a three-year renewable term by the Graduate College Dean 

Responsibilities: 

  • Admit prospective students 
  • Serve as initial advisor until Guidance Committee formation 
  • Meet annually with each Guidance Committee 
  • Facilitate IIP seminars and guest lectures 
  • Resolve advisor/committee conflicts 

Graduate Committee

Composition: Faculty and associate deans from participating units, chaired by the IIP Director (minimum 5 members, at least 3 appointed faculty members) 

Responsibilities: 

  • Admit program candidates 
  • Oversee Guidance Committee formation 
  • Monitor student progress 
  • Determine sanctions for academic deficiencies 

Guidance Committee

Formation: Identified during application, formalized by end of first semester of the degree-seeking track. 

Composition: 

  • Minimum three faculty members from at least two different disciplines 
  • Guidance Committee Chair  

Responsibilities: 

  • Develop Program of Study requirements 
  • Conduct annual progress reviews 
  • Assist with funding initiatives 
  • Administer comprehensive examinations 
  • Direct final projects/dissertations 
  • Support timely degree completion 

Member Eligibility: 

  • Graduate Faculty Status in home department required 
  • Guest Graduate Faculty Status acceptable (but cannot chair) 
  • Outside university experts must be evaluated by the IIP Graduate Committee 
  • All members must hold doctorate or terminal degree 

Primary Academic Unit

Definition: The student’s primary academic department (discipline) that provides support and resources 

Member Requirements: 

  • Faculty member from unit must serve on Guidance Committee 
  • For Ph.D. students: Must be a Ph.D.-granting department 
  • Provides departmental resources comparable to other students 

Resources Provided: 

  • Access to support staff 
  • Orientation materials 
  • Library resources, labs, software 
  • Seminars and colloquia 

Procedural Authority: Primary unit's procedural rules apply (committee size, defense requirements, etc.) 

IIP Student Responsibilities
  • Annual Guidance Committee meetings 
  • Complete courses specified in Program of Study 
  • Meet all Graduate Catalog minimum requirements 
  • Submit annual revised Program of Study 
  • Maintain required GPA (3.0 for master's, 3.25 for doctoral)