Peer Engagement, Professional Development & Networking

Access to Data & Insights

Resources for Admissions, Enrollment & Completion

Support for Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness

Eligibility to Participate in International Engagement Events

Member deans and CGS President Suzanne Ortega and Government Relations and Public Policy department stand with Nasser Paydar, Assistant Secretary of Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education.

Representation and Visibility in the Graduate Community

  • Eligibility to nominate individuals to five CGS awards programs:
    • ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Graduate Education
    • Debra W. Stewart Award for Outstanding Leadership in Graduate Education
    • Assistant and Associate Deans Leadership Award
    • CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards
    • Gustave O. Arlt Award in the Humanities
  • Opportunity to be a signatory university to the Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants (also known as the April 15 resolution)

Membership Categories

Regular Membership

United States and Canadian institutions of higher education that are significantly engaged in graduate education, research and scholarship, and the preparation of candidates for advanced degrees are eligible for Regular Membership. An applicant institution must:

  • Have approval to offer graduate work, granted by an accrediting authority determined appropriate by the CGS Membership Committee
  • Offer degrees in at least three distinct and separate fields or disciplines at the time of application
  • Have awarded a total of at least thirty master’s degrees or ten doctoral degrees in at least three distinct and separate fields or disciplines within the three-year period immediately before the date of application
  • Have a formally organized administrative unit responsible for graduate education

Associate Membership

Institutions of higher education in the U.S. or Canada that are engaged in graduate education but do not meet the requirements for regular membership, may be eligible for Associate Membership. An applicant institution must:

  • Have been approved to offer graduate level work by an accrediting authority determined appropriate by the CGS Membership Committee
  • Offer at least one graduate degree program at the master’s level or above
  • Have awarded at least ten graduate degrees during the three-year period preceding application

Membership Dues Information

Please visit here for information on Regular and Associate Membership dues.

To learn more and request membership application materials, please contact Adrienne Vincent or Janice Goggins.