The primary criterion for Graduate Faculty membership is a consistent record of significant scholarly activities. Typically, such activities are evidenced by peer-reviewed publications such as papers in strong professional journals or in refereed conference proceedings, books or book chapters by scholarly publishers, or creative works published in appropriate venues. Acknowledging that the nature of scholarly activities recognized within the academic community varies among academic disciplines, the Council is informed in its membership decisions by specific guidelines developed by each academic college and approved by the Council. A faculty member new to the University who has completed a terminal degree within the previous three years is typically awarded an initial appointment.

The term of appointment to the Graduate Faculty is five years. The Council may, in unusual circumstances and at its discretion, make an appointment for a shorter term.

Applications for Graduate Faculty membership are reviewed by the department head and academic dean, and (independently) by the college's peer review committee. The resulting recommendations are reviewed by the Council's Committee on Graduate Faculty, which in turn makes recommendations to the Council.

A faculty member, through the Chair of the Graduate Council, may request that the Council reconsider its initial decision about his or her application for membership. If the Council still denies membership, then an appeal of the Council's final decision may be made in writing to its chairperson. Such an appeal will be heard by a committee consisting of five graduate faculty members, three selected by the Chair of the Council, one selected by the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, and one selected by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The faculty members appointed to the appeals committee shall be from departments other than that of which the appellant is a member, and shall not have participated in any previous review of the application.

Additional information can be obtained from department and college offices. Please refer to the application forms for deadline information.

Academic deans and department heads holding faculty rank who are not regular members of the Gradute Faculty are appointed as associate members. Associate membership does not authorize direction of theses or dissertations, or service on student advisory committees.