University of South Florida

M.S. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY ADVISING

When a student is admitted to the program, the department's Graduate Director serves as the initial advisor. The role of the advisor is to guide the student in selecting appropriate courses during the first semester and to suggest possible advisors and options for the student given his/her interests and needs.

Prior to selecting a program advisor, the student should meet with each of the graduate faculty in order to determine the best advising "fit." Once the student selects a program advisor, the student, in consultation with the program advisor, should select a committee. For students completing a thesis, the program advisor usually serves as the thesis advisor as well. The thesis advisor is responsible for guiding the student through thesis proposal preparation, thesis writing, and the thesis defense. Students may change advisors and committee members during his/her program.