Your Graduate School Experience

The reasons for enrolling in graduate school are as varied as the people who make up the graduate student population. Your decision to seek an advanced degree means you share with other UNLV graduate students a spirit of adventure that comes with discovery— discovery of new information, new skills—and discovery of the depths of your own intellectual abilities. You will also share a capacity for hard work, because graduate study, whatever the subject matter, is difficult. But at the end of the sometimes tedious, oftentimes exhilarating work in your chosen field, you will have the satisfaction of having mastered a body of knowledge that places you in an elite group. Your achievement of a graduate degree will be a beginning, not an end. It will only be the start of your development and a forecast of your potential for future contributions to your chosen area of interest.

The university’s advanced degree programs are based on close working relationships between students and faculty. Although most programs can be developed to meet the needs and interests of the individual student, the student must also satisfy all departmental and Graduate College requirements. Therefore, it is important that all students carefully read the appropriate sections of this catalog and stay in close contact with the faculty members in their degree program. Students are responsible for being aware of and observing the policies and regulations stated in the Graduate Catalog.

The Graduate Dean  with the advice of the Graduate Council determines policies and procedures of the Graduate College. The Council consists of one delegate from each academic department that sponsors an advanced degree program, and it operates with standing committees. The Graduate and Professional Student Association also has representatives on the Graduate Council. The Graduate Dean and Associate Graduate Dean are ex-officio members of the Graduate Council and each standing committee.

Once enrolled as a student, you will have various responsibilities within the academic community. The conduct of all persons affiliated with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is governed by the Rules and Disciplinary Procedures for Members of the University Community. This code outlines the responsibilities of students, faculty, staff and administration as well as the rules, sanctions and hearing procedures in effect on the campus. Printed copies of the code are available in the Registrar’s Office. The UNLV Student Conduct Code is available through the UNLV Office of Student Conduct.

Additional information may be found in this catalog and on the Graduate College website.

Services for Graduate Students

The Graduate College offers services to support graduate students in many different areas. In cooperation with various offices at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Graduate Student Services seeks to provide information and programs aimed at the unique needs of graduate students.

Orientation. Every semester, prior to the beginning of classes, the Graduate College conducts an orientation for new graduate students and Graduate Assistants. Each department and/or program offering a graduate degree provides additional orientation and advising for new students.

Recruitment. UNLV is committed to growing selectively, serving the region, and achieving distinction. In recognition of this commitment, the Graduate College seeks to develop, implement, coordinate, and monitor a university-wide graduate recruitment program. Primary goals of this program are to assist the individual graduate programs to identify potential graduate students and to encourage these students to apply and enroll. Also, the Graduate College participates in the UNLV McNair Scholars Program that helps to identify and prepare under represented and minority students for graduate school.

Thesis and Dissertation Support. For many programs, the thesis or dissertation represents the culmination of the graduate experience. The Graduate College provides guidance, oversight and direction to graduate students and faculty concerning the policies and procedures for final submission of the thesis or dissertation.

Professional Development Programs. The Graduate College works with other campus units to provide a formal, value-added experience for graduate students that will enhance their career development. For example, a Professional Development Program in College Teaching is currently offered in association with the University Teaching and Learning Center to individuals seeking academic careers.

Student Advising Services. The advising services provide informal and student-centered issue-resolution services, and general advising advice, to graduate students and prospective graduate students. The office offers guidance, information, and assistance when regular channels have failed to provide graduate students with the information that they need to solve problems or make informed decisions. Note:  The office does not provide academic advising; students must consult with the graduate coordinator in their own graduate program, or program of interest, for academic guidance.

Graduate and Professional Student Association

The Graduate & Professional Student Association was formed in 1980 to provide additional opportunities for graduate students to interact, both socially and academically, and to provide a forum for dealing with problems specific to graduate student life. GPSA’s primary goals are to improve the quality of graduate education and to offer graduate student grants for research and other scholarly projects.

Each department on campus has a graduate student representative who communicates all pertinent information concerning the GPSA to his/her constituents. The GPSA has graduate student representation on all standing committees of the Graduate College and participates in at least one community service project each semester.

The GPSA office provides a study and social lounge, a copy service and a computer lab. The office is open year round, all day and some evenings. Meetings are held on the first Monday of every month, and all graduate students are encouraged to attend and participate. For more information contact the GPSA office, Lied Library, Room 3251 or call (702) 895-2261.