10. SGPS Membership
In accordance with The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies’ Composition and Rules of Procedure, only members of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) may be involved in graduate student education, supervision and formal teaching. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee that membership will be granted.
10.1 CATEGORIES
The categories of SGPS membership are:
- Teaching/Advisory
- Associate
- Master’s
- Doctoral
10.2 DURATION
Master's and Doctoral memberships are permanent in the home department. Master’s or Doctoral memberships held outside of the home department are not permanent and may be subject to audit and inactivation at each Institutional Quality Assurance Process review or at other timelines specified by the program.
Teaching/Advisory Membership is temporary up to a maximum of three years, renewable.
Associate Membership is temporary, up to a maximum of five years, renewable.
10.3 PRIVILEGES, CRITERIA and QUALIFICATIONS
Summary of Privileges by Membership Level
| Teaching/Advisory | Associate | Master's | Doctoral | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervise Doctoral Students | No | Yes* | Yes* | Yes |
| Supervise Master's Students | No | Yes* | Yes | Yes |
| Chair Doctoral Thesis Exam | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Chair Master's Thesis Exam | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Participate as Thesis Examiner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Participate as Supervisory Committee Member | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Teach Graduate Course | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*Only alongside another Supervisor holding the appropriate Master’s/Doctoral Membership
Summary of Criteria and Qualifications Required by Membership Level
| Teaching/Advisory | Associate | Master's | Doctoral | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhD or Equivalent | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Faculty Appointment | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Satisfactory Supervision Record | No | No | No | Yes |
| Nomination by Program | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Complete criteria for, and privileges associated with each category are listed below:
Teaching/Advisory Membership (TAM)
Criteria and Qualifications
- Nomination by a Western graduate program offering a Quality Assurance Council approved graduate degree
- Ph.D. degree or qualification appropriate to the discipline
- Appropriate expertise and experience commensurate with program activities and responsibilities
- Elders, Indigenous knowledge keepers and practicing professionals are eligible for SGPS Membership
Privileges May Include
- Teach graduate courses
- Serve as member of thesis supervisory committee
- Participate as thesis examiner
- Chair master's thesis examinations
- May be involved in graduate student education (i.e., student advisor, teaching, non-thesis research paper second reader) except sole thesis supervision.
Associate Membership
Criteria and Qualifications
- Faculty appointment including adjunct, at Western or an Affiliate University College
- Nomination by a Western or Affiliate University College graduate program offering a Quality Assurance Council approved graduate degree
- Ph.D. degree or qualification appropriate to the discipline
- Appropriate expertise & experience commensurate with program activities and responsibilities
Privileges
- Supervise thesis (with another Supervisor holding appropriate membership (Master’s or Doctoral) in the student’s program)
- Teach graduate courses
- Serve as member of thesis supervisory committee
- Participate as thesis examiner
- Chair Master's thesis examinations
- May be involved in graduate student education (i.e., student advisor, teaching, non-thesis research paper second reader) except sole thesis supervision
Master's Membership
Criteria and Qualifications
- Nomination by a Western graduate program offering a Quality Assurance Council approved graduate degree with a Master's thesis An established program of research or performance and, where appropriate, research funds from an external source
- A record of successful participation in graduate education
- Academic Appointment at Western as Assistant Professor or higher, OR a current Western Adjunct Academic Appointment.
- Nomination by a Western graduate program offering a Quality Assurance Council approved graduate degree
- Ph.D. degree or equivalent qualification appropriate to the discipline
- Appropriate scholarly and/or professional record commensurate with program activities and responsibilities
Privileges
- Supervise Master's theses
- Supervise Doctoral Theses (with another Supervisor holding Doctoral membership in student’s program)
- Chair Thesis Examinations
- May be given access to Graduate Application System
- Teach graduate courses
- Serve as member of thesis supervisory committee
- Participate as thesis examiner
- Other facets of graduate student education (i.e., student advisor, non-thesis research paper second reader)
Doctoral Membership
Criteria and Qualifications
- Academic Appointment at Western as Assistant Professor or higher, OR a current Western Adjunct Academic Appointment.
- Nomination by a Western graduate program offering a Quality Assurance Council approved graduate degree
- Ph.D. degree or equivalent qualification appropriate to the discipline
- Appropriate scholarly and/or professional record commensurate with program activities and responsibilities
- Nomination by a Western graduate program offering a Quality Assurance Council approved graduate degree with a Doctoral thesis
- Satisfactory supervision of at least one Master's candidate.
Privileges
- Supervise Doctoral/Master's theses
- Chair Doctoral/Master's Thesis Examinations
- May be given access to Graduate Application System
- Teach graduate courses
- Serve as member of thesis supervisory committee
- Participate as thesis examiner
- Other facets of graduate student education (i.e., student advisor, non-thesis research paper second reader)
