Graduate Advisory Committee<\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe advisory committee is made up of a minimum of three members of the Graduate Faculty, and must be chosen during the Master of Horticultural Science student’s first semester. The student may elect to have a committee composed of more than the minimum number of members. The major professor is always chair of the advisory committee. Students and their major professors share joint responsibility to set up and hold meetings of the student’s advisory committee at least once each year and to report the current status of the candidate to the Director of Graduate Programs’ office on the Student Progress Report. While studying at NC State, the student should consider his or her major professor as the first source for policy information, advisory guidance and access to resources of the Department and University needed to complete all research, teaching and outreach experiences required for graduation. A minor is not required by the Graduate School or the Department, but each student has the option of choosing one if he or she wishes. If a minor is chosen, at least one committee member must represent the minor area. If a minor is not chosen, one committee member must still be chosen from outside the Department. A faculty member from another university or a professional from industry or government (with credentials comparable to those required for membership on the Graduate Faculty) may serve as an external member, with full voting rights, along with the required committee composed of members of the NC State Graduate Faculty. It will be necessary to provide credentials to the Graduate School. In addition, a person from industry, a governmental agency, or a university may, upon recommendation of the committee and the Department or program, serve as a technical consultant, without voting rights, along with the required committee composed of members of the NC State Graduate Faculty. A statement describing the consultant’s potential contribution to the student’s research or project should be provided to the Graduate School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n