Best Practices in Graduate Education
Graduate education at Oklahoma State University (OSU) is aligned with national best practices articulated by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). These shared principles promote academic excellence across CGS member institutions. At OSU, the Graduate College supports graduate students and faculty in achieving excellence in teaching, research, and outreach, consistent with the university’s land-grant mission.
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The Graduate Education Environment
- Graduate education at OSU prepares future leaders, professionals, and scholars who contribute to educational, cultural, economic, and social environments.
- Graduate students are treated as professionals in the early stages of their careers.
- Training occurs within disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs that foster academic rigor, creativity, scholarship, and ethical conduct.
- Graduate faculty and students share responsibility for fostering an environment built on professional integrity, freedom of inquiry, and mutual respect.
- Programs, faculty, and students collaborate with the Graduate College to promote diversity and excellence in graduate education.
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Graduate Students
- Work with graduate faculty advisors and advisory committees to develop a plan of study aligned with their career goals.
- Complete degrees in a timely manner.
- Act in a professional, ethical, and mature way, adhering to the policies of the Graduate College and OSU.
- Respect the rights, privileges, and property of others.
- Remain informed about regulations and policies governing graduate education at OSU.
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Graduate Faculty and Advisory Committees
- Provide intellectual guidance and academic rigor as teachers, mentors, researchers, and committee members.
- Foster supportive, professional, and ethical relationships with students, aligned with OSU policies and disciplinary standards.
- Serve on advisory committees without discrimination based on religion, race, nationality, disability, gender, or sexual orientation/identity.
- Provide clear, written performance standards and expectations, and ensure they are discussed with students.
- Offer constructive and timely feedback through periodic evaluations.
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Graduate Programs
- Maintain written guidelines outlining requirements, academic progress stages, and grievance processes.
- Provide academic and program resources that support timely degree completion.
- Communicate realistic expectations regarding financial resources.
- Ensure course offerings support academic progress.
- Conduct regular assessments of student progress and engage in self-assessment to support continuous improvement.
- Promote a collegial academic culture based on mutual respect, collaboration, and integrity.
- Participate in external program assessment opportunities encouraged by the university.
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Graduate College
- Actively promotes and models best practices in graduate education.
- Provides transparent oversight and collaborates with academic units to maintain quality and integrity across graduate programs.
- Creates an environment where students and faculty work together to produce and share knowledge.
- Advocates for graduate students, faculty, and graduate education as a whole.
- Respects shared governance through the Graduate Council.
- Supports professional development for both students and faculty.
- Oversees graduate student recruitment, admission, matriculation, graduation, and placement.
- Manages and allocates resources that support graduate education.
Endorsed by the Graduate Council on April 19, 2013.