Benefits for Regular and Associate Member Institutions


Information and Best Practices

  • New in 2022 – Option to participate in the National Name Exchange (NNE), a program designed to support greater diversity in U.S. graduate programs
  • Exclusive electronic access to all CGS publications via the CGS website
  • Subscription to the GradEdge newsletter and online access to the members-only archives
  • Access to the CGS Dean’s Discussion List, the only online platform for information exchange dedicated solely to graduate education
  • Opportunities to compete for funding for Best Practice projects
  • Advocacy resources and subscription to Washington Insights & Highlights, our weekly policy newsletter, which provides members with up-to-date information on public policy and related initiatives that impact graduate education


Professional Development and Networking Opportunities


Representation and Visibility in the Graduate Community

  • Access to the searchable online Membership Directory, which provides the names, titles, contact information, and academic fields of deans at member institutions
  • Eligibility to nominate individuals for CGS awards
  • Participation in governance of the Council and service on advisory committees

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.