William J. Doré, Sr. School of Graduate Studies

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McNeese State University was established to bring to Southwest Louisiana an institution of higher learning which would provide students with equal opportunities to receive the education and training needed to participate fully and wisely in the intellectual, economic, and social life of our democratic society. The purpose of the William J. Doré, Sr. School of Graduate Studies is fourfold:

• Professional training, for increased competency in specialized fields;
• Research, to further the development of students in techniques and methods of scholarly research;
• Knowledge, to develop broader and deeper understanding of human knowledge; and
• Preparation, to stimulate and encourage students to prepare themselves for further graduate study.

Administration

The director of the School of Graduate Studies serves as the chief administrative officer for graduate programs at the University, administers and coordinates graduate programs, and makes final decisions regarding admissions, changes in degree status, admission to candidacy for the degree, certification of candidates for graduation, and all other aspects of graduate studies. Graduate instruction is supervised by the academic department or school administrators and graduate faculty under policies set forth by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors and McNeese State University.

The Graduate Council is composed of one graduate faculty representative from each academic college, one representative from Faculty Senate, and one graduate student appointed by the Graduate Council. Ex-officio members include the director of the William J. Doré, Sr. School of Graduate Studies, one representative from the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, one representative from the Office of Recruiting, and two representatives from the Office of the Registrar and Admissions.

The Graduate Council acts in an advisory capacity to the director of the School of Graduate Studies and to the administration. The council is responsible for the approval of new courses, course changes, new programs, and modifications to existing degree programs. In addition, the Graduate Council reviews credentials and nominates faculty to teach graduate-level courses. The Graduate Council also hears and acts on graduate student petitions or grade appeals.

Graduate Faculty

The graduate faculty consists of those members of the teaching faculty who have been so designated by the provost and vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management, upon recommendation by the director of the School of Graduate Studies acting upon appropriate nominations by the Graduate Council. The graduate faculty is composed of three types of membership: member, associate member, and temporary member. Each graduate faculty appointment is reviewed by the appropriate department head, dean, and the Graduate Council when the faculty member applies for continuing membership in the graduate faculty.

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