Council of Graduate Schools

Council of Graduate Schools. The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) is an American Council on Education-affiliated organization that works to improve and advance graduate education in the United States, Canada, and other countries, in collaboration with institutions like the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and University of California, Berkeley. As a leading voice for graduate education, CGS partners with organizations such as the Association of American Universities, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and National Academy of Sciences to promote excellence in research universities like Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. CGS also works closely with higher education organizations, including the College Board, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and American Council of Learned Societies.

● History

The Council of Graduate Schools was established in 1966 by a group of deans and graduate school administrators from United States institutions, including University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and University of Texas at Austin, with the goal of promoting and improving graduate education. Since its founding, CGS has worked with organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and Institute of International Education to advance the interests of graduate students and graduate programs at institutions like Yale University, Columbia University, and University of Chicago. CGS has also collaborated with professional associations like the American Psychological Association, American Sociological Association, and American Mathematical Society to develop best practices in graduate education. Additionally, CGS has partnered with funding agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Energy, and National Institute of Mental Health to support research funding for graduate students at institutions like California Institute of Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Georgia Institute of Technology.

● Membership

The Council of Graduate Schools has over 500 member institutions, including research universities like University of California, Los Angeles, University of Washington, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as liberal arts colleges like Amherst College, Williams College, and Swarthmore College. CGS members also include institutions like MIT Sloan School of Management, University of Pennsylvania Law School, and Stanford Graduate School of Business, which offer professional degree programs. Membership in CGS provides institutions with access to best practices in graduate education, as well as opportunities for professional development and networking with organizations like the Association of American Colleges and Universities, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and National Association of Colleges and Universities. CGS members also participate in conferences and workshops organized by CGS, such as the Annual Meeting and the Summer Workshop on Graduate Enrollment Management, which feature speakers from institutions like University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Australian National University.

● Advocacy

The Council of Graduate Schools advocates for policies and practices that support the interests of graduate students and graduate programs at institutions like New York University, University of Southern California, and Duke University. CGS works with organizations like the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, American Association of University Professors, and Association of American Colleges and Universities to promote funding for graduate education and research funding for graduate students at institutions like University of Florida, Ohio State University, and University of Minnesota. CGS also advocates for policies that support diversity and inclusion in graduate education, such as the Diversity and Inclusion Initiative launched in collaboration with institutions like University of California, San Diego, University of Iowa, and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Additionally, CGS partners with organizations like the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, and American Indian Higher Education Consortium to support underrepresented groups in graduate education.

● Publications

The Council of Graduate Schools publishes a range of publications on topics related to graduate education, including the CGS Graduate Enrollment and Degrees report, which provides data on graduate enrollment and degree completion at institutions like University of Virginia, University of California, Davis, and University of Utah. CGS also publishes research reports on topics such as graduate student mental health, diversity and inclusion in graduate education, and career outcomes for graduate degree holders from institutions like Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, and Vanderbilt University. Additionally, CGS publishes best practice guides for graduate programs and graduate students, such as the CGS Guide to Graduate Education and the CGS Handbook for Graduate Students, which feature contributions from experts at institutions like University of Michigan, University of California, Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon University.

● Awards

The Council of Graduate Schools presents several awards to recognize excellence in graduate education, including the CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award, which honors outstanding dissertations in fields like engineering, physical sciences, and biological sciences from institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, and University of California, San Francisco. CGS also presents the Deans' Award for Excellence in Graduate Education, which recognizes deans and graduate school administrators who have made significant contributions to graduate education at institutions like University of Texas at Austin, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Additionally, CGS presents the CGS Award for Innovation in Graduate Education, which honors innovative graduate programs and graduate education initiatives at institutions like Stanford University, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania.

● Organization

The Council of Graduate Schools is governed by a board of directors composed of deans and graduate school administrators from member institutions, including University of California, Los Angeles, University of Washington, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The board is advised by a range of committees and task forces, which focus on topics such as graduate enrollment management, diversity and inclusion, and career outcomes for graduate degree holders from institutions like University of Michigan, University of California, Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon University. CGS also has a staff of professional employees who work on advocacy, publications, and member services, and collaborate with organizations like the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, American Council of Learned Societies, and Institute of International Education to support the work of CGS. Category:Education organizations