Supervisory Committee Approval Form (SCAF)

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Description

A Supervisory Committee Approval Form (SCAF) confirms the individuals who will serve on a graduate student’s supervisory committee.

The student, their GPC, Major Professor, Committee Members, Department Head, and the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies will receive a notification from ServiceNow to review and approve the Supervisory Committee Approval form. Once all the required approvals have been completed, the student will receive a notification indicating that their committee has been approved.

All full-time faculty and staff at USU eligible to serve on Supervisory Committees must be members in good standing of the USU graduate faculty.

Individuals who are affiliated with other institutions or have limited USU affiliations (e.g., adjunct instructors, emerita and emeritus faculty) can be appointed to serve as committee members on an ad hoc basis through a separate process, which requires approval from the appropriate Department Head and the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies.

Submission Deadline

Master’s students: A completed initial Supervisory Committee Approval Form (SCAF) for master’s students should be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies for final approval by the end of the student’s second semester.

Doctoral students: A completed initial Supervisory Committee Approval Form (SCAF) for a doctoral student should be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies for final approval by the end of the student’s third semester.

No initial or revised Supervisory Committee forms should be submitted within the six weeks prior to the student’s final defense.

RCR CITI Training

As part of the initial Supervisory Committee Approval (SCAF) form, completion of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) CITI Training is required for all MS/A (thesis), MA, MFA, and Doctoral students.

  • It is also required for all students funded by NIH, NSF, or USDA-NIFA.
  • RCR CITI Training must be completed before the initial SCAF form is submitted.
  • Additionally, the training may be recommended for any master’s student if their committee determines it is appropriate for the student’s thesis or project.
  • If a Plan B Project or Paper requires research, the student’s Committee will require completion of the RCR CITI Training.
  • NOTE: If the SCAF form does not have all required committee roles filled and the completed RCR training (if required), it will be denied.

Master’s Plan A/Plan B Committee Requirements & Purpose

Required committee members (must be indicated on the SCAF form):

  • A master’s degree supervisory committee must include at least three members who hold a master’s degree or higher and are members of the USU Graduate Faculty.  If the master’s degree is a Plan A, all members must have completed a thesis or dissertation.
    • At least one member must represent the student’s area of specialization, and at least one member must be from outside the home department or specialization area and a member of the USU Graduate Faculty in good standing.
    • It is permissible for one member of the committee to be affiliated with an outside institution, affiliated with USU on a part-time basis (e.g., adjunct faculty), or an emeritus or emerita; this individual can only be added to a committee with the permission of the appropriate Department Head and the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies.
  • Within School of Graduate Studies and departmental requirements, the supervisory committee for a master’s degree does the following:
    1. Determines courses for the student’s Program of Study.
    2. Conducts any required departmental qualifying examinations.
    3. Supervises the student’s thesis research, Plan B paper, or other degree project.
    4. And conducts the defense or final examination.
      • The defense or final examination must be scheduled through the School of Graduate Studies.
      • The major professor, who serves as the chairperson of the committee, usually directs the thesis, paper, or other degree project.

Doctoral Committee Requirements

Required committee members (must be indicated on the form):

  • A doctoral supervisory committee must include at least five members who hold a terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., other doctorate, or terminal master’s degree such as an M.F.A.).
    • The committee must consist of at least three members from within the student’s department and at least one member who is a member of the USU Graduate Faculty with an appointment outside either the department or interdepartmental degree-granting program in which the student is enrolled; all of these individuals must be members in good standing of the USU graduate faculty.
    • It is permissible for one member of the committee to be affiliated with an outside institution, affiliated with USU on a part-time basis (e.g., adjunct faculty), or an emeritus or emerita; this individual can only be added to a committee with the permission of the appropriate Department Head and the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies.
    • All committee members must have completed a dissertation or thesis requirement similar to that which the graduate student is completing.
  • Within School of Graduate Studies and departmental requirements, the doctoral supervisory committee does the following:
    1. determines courses for the student’s Program of Study.
    2. oversees any qualifying examinations and comprehensive examination, unless another departmental or program procedure is in place*.
    3. approves the dissertation proposal.
    4. supervises the student’s research and preparation of the dissertation.
    5. participates in or conducts departmental annual reviews*.
    6. conducts the final oral examination.
      • The major professor is the chairperson of the committee and usually directs the student’s research.
      • Continuation in a doctoral program is contingent upon the availability of a major professor.
      • *Some departments or interdepartmental programs administer qualifying examinations. Each department or program has the responsibility of administering comprehensive examinations. 

Concurrent Student requirements

  • Students doing concurrent research degrees will have two supervisory committees, one for each program (please see SGS Catalog Section 5.5.4. and Section 5.5.5., for further information about concurrent degree programs and supervisory committees).
  • The other committee members for the two supervisory committees need only follow SGS and program guidelines and faculty may serve on both supervisory committees.
      • The Supervisory Committee form and Program of Study must be in accordance with the School of Graduate Studies and program requirements.

Students Who Need This Form

Signatures Needed

  • Student
  • Major professor
  • Committee members
  • Department head
  • Vice Provost of Graduate Studies

Note: The policies and procedures on this page are referenced from the School of Graduate Studies Catalog Section 7., regarding Supervisory Committees. The catalog is the official text. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this page, the catalog is the authoritative source of information.