Member Engagement

Member Engagement

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CGS membership provides opportunities to engage with an active community of institutions and organizations that support graduate education. We invite you to explore our categories of membership and their distinct benefits, which include data analysis and best practice expertise, discounts on meetings and publications, and opportunities to exchange information and resources with fellow members.

Current CGS Members

Institutional Members (US and Canada)

Institutional Members organized by U.S. state

International Members

Sustaining Members and Corporate Partners

Corresponding Affiliate Members

CGS members are able to access additional information on all member types. Please log-in to access the:

Organization Directory

Individual Directory

Corresponding Affiliate

Annual Dues: $4,000

Only qualifying educational nonprofit organizations (501c3, 501c4 or 501c6) or qualifying governmental organizations may join CGS as Corresponding Affiliates. Corresponding Affiliates receive the benefits of high-level membership in CGS for a discounted dues rate. Because Corresponding Affiliates are more closely aligned with institutional members of CGS, their benefits and dues structure reflect these priorities. CGS welcomes suggestions and ideas for other benefits that might be valuable to you or opportunities for our organizations to collaborate.

Member Benefits for Corresponding Affiliates

CGS Annual Meeting

Reduced rates on sponsorships
Reduced rates on exhibitor registration
Option to add one complimentary exhibit-hall only registration pass to your CGS Annual Meeting exhibitor registration, in addition to the two full registrations that are included with exhibiting (available only to corresponding affiliates and sustaining members; exhibitor registration required)
NEW - Option for members to select exhibit table location (exhibitor registration required)
Reduced rates on individual meeting registrations
Priority consideration for all Annual Meeting opportunities
Opportunities to propose “in-conjunction-with” events at the CGS Annual Meeting
Recognition in the meeting mobile app
Opportunity to sponsor awards

CGS Webinars

Reduced rates on sponsored CGS webinars
Priority scheduling consideration
Detailed attendee report

Access to graduate deans

Opportunity to provide CGS-approved sponsored content for News Network, CGS's bi-weekly e-newsletter (once per calendar year)
Invitations to CGS research forums and other select events
Reduced rates for job listings on the CGS Career Portal
Ability to request to view the CGS Dean’s Discussion List

Publications and information on the latest news, trends and best practices in graduate education

Access to current and past issues of GradEdge, the only national newsletter dedicated to graduate education
Full complimentary access to publications in the CGS Online Member Library, including the online membership directory
Reduced rates for hard copies of CGS publications
Automatic subscription to biweekly CGS News Network newsletters

Access to CGS staff expertise

Opportunities to collaborate on research and best practice projects
Tailored membership opportunities based on individual organizations’ needs

For more information about becoming a Corresponding Affiliate, please contact Adrienne Vincent.

Corresponding Associate

Corresponding Associates are for-profit or not-for-profit organizations in the United States or Canada who support the Council's endeavors to further the cause of graduate education and whose missions are compatible with the Council's. As an Associate of CGS, you are entitled to:

Access to national projects and studies of key interest and benefit to graduate education as well as the ability to solicit advice and information from experts in graduate education. This includes regular updates on federal policy affecting graduate studies and research.

Qualify for priority exhibitor benefits at the CGS Annual Meeting which includes reduced registration rates, complimentary attendee address labels and preferred exhibitor space.
Receive a complimentary subscription to GradEdge, the only national newsletter dedicated to graduate education. Also, receive reduced rates to display advertisements in GradEdge.
Publish your website address and logo on the CGS website.
Qualify for discounts on CGS meetings, workshops, publications, and consultations.
Member discount rates for job listings on the CGS Career Portal
Dues are currently $5,000 (USD) annually.

Interested parties should contact Julia Kent.

Regular and Associate Member

Overview

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

Benefits for Regular and Associate Member Institutions (see our flyer on Member Resources)

Representation and Visibility in the Graduate Community

Publication of your institutional website address on the CGS website
Access to the searchable online Membership Directory, which provides the names, titles, contact information, and academic fields of deans at member institutions
Opportunities to compete for funding for Best Practice projects
Opportunities to advertise meetings, events and other items in GradEdge (fee-based)
Eligibility to nominate individuals for CGS awards
Participation in governance of the Council

Information and Best Practices

Access to the CGS Dean's Discussion Board, the only searchable online platform for information exchange dedicated solely to graduate education
A subscription to the GradEdge newsletter and online access to the members-only archives
Access to News Network, a biweekly update of issues, research and policies shaping graduate education
One complimentary copy of each new CGS publication
Exclusive electronic access to all CGS publications via the CGS website
Opportunities to contribute to data on U.S. graduate education

Public Policy and Advocacy

Opportunities to engage in advocacy, including joining CGS’s Advocacy Ambassadors Network.
Exclusive access to CGS’s Washington Insights & Highlights for regular updates on policy and advocacy issues impacting graduate education, research, and scholarship.
Access to policy and legislative briefs and other advocacy materials for working with policymakers, community/industry stakeholders, and campus leadership.
Professional development opportunities to learn from CGS peers and staff on how to fine-tune advocacy messaging across a variety of stakeholder audiences.

Professional Development and Networking Opportunities

Opportunities to solicit advice and information from experts in graduate education and CGS leadership
Eligibility to be invited to serve on best practice committees and as a consultant for CGS consultation services
Opportunities to participate in webinars led by graduate deans and experts on pressing topics in graduate education
Invitations to special receptions and events
Ability to advertise job postings on the CGS Career Portal

Benchmarking and Consultation Services

Benchmarking services and data available through members-only sections of the CGS website
Strategic consultation services drawn upon CGS best practice expertise and benchmarking data as well as insights from experienced graduate deans (fee-based)

Reduced Rates

Reduced member rates on CGS meetings, workshops, publications, benchmarking and consultation services, and advertisements in GradEdge.
50% off job announcements in the CGS Career Portal

How to Apply

If your institution is interested in applying for Membership, please contact Janice Goggins to receive the membership application materials. Please visit the Membership Dues page to learn more about the dues for Regular and Associate Members.

Membership Dues

Regular and Associate Members (Universities and Colleges in the US and Canada)

CGS is supported primarily by member dues. Dues levels are established each year by the Board of Directors and collected annually, with dues notices sent to members in July. There are eleven dues categories for Regular and Associate Member institutions based on the head count of graduate students enrolled. The 2022 and 2021 Regular and Associate membership dues levels are as follows (please note that 2021 membership dues remained at the same level as 2020):

*Graduate Student Headcount Enrolled**	2022 Dues Regular Members	2022 Dues Associate Members
1 - 500	$3,515	$3,222
501 - 800	$4,736	$3,874
800 - 1,200	$5,186	$4,428
1,201 - 1,500	$5,487	$4,807
1,501 - 3,000	$5,830	$5,106
3,001 - 5,500	$6,188	$5,655
5,501 - 8,000	$7,074	$6,197
8,001 - 10,500	$7,962	$6,974
10,501 - 13,000	$8,903	$7,798
13,001 - 15,500	$9,739	$8,529
15,501 and above	$10,621	$9,303

*Graduate Student Headcount Enrolled**	2021 Dues Regular Members	2021 Dues Associate Members
1 - 500	$3,467	$3,178
501 - 800	$4,671	$3,821
800 - 1,200	$5,114	$4,367
1,201 - 1,500	$5,412	$4,741
1,501 - 3,000	$5,749	$5,036
3,001 - 5,500	$6,103	$5,577
5,501 - 8,000	$6,977	$6,111
8,001 - 10,500	$7,852	$6,878
10,501 - 13,000	$8,780	$7,691
13,001 - 15,500	$9,605	$8,411
15,501 and above	$10,474	$9,175

Canadian institutions may remit dues in $CAN at par with $US.

*Headcount includes all graduate students (full and part-time) with the exception of those enrolled in first-professional degree programs, i.e., dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, divinity, veterinary medicine.

International Membership (Universities and Colleges Outside the US and Canada)
Dues levels are as follows:

International Member Dues Category*	2022 and 2021 Dues
Low-income and Lower-middle-income economies	$2,000 (USD)
Upper-middle-income economies	$3,000 (USD)
High-income economies	$4,000 (USD)

*As defined by the World Bank Classification.

Sustaining Membership Network (Companies and Large Nonprofit Organizations)
Dues range from $6,000 to $25,000 (USD) annually

Corresponding Affiliates (University Systems and Small Nonprofit Educational Associations)
Dues are currently $4,000 (USD) annually

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has implemented a credit card usage convenience fee effective as of January 1, 2020 in the amount of 4% of the transaction price when paying obligations to the Council. Although this fee is designed to defray the increasing costs of accepting credit cards for payments of dues, meeting registrations, sponsorships, publications, and other items, our desire is not to charge the fee at all, but to change member and non-member behavior to employ different payment methods such as ACH, Wire transfer and good old fashioned checks when they conduct business with CGS. CGS does not intend to record revenue from this change, but instead, be able to re-deploy the member dues funds previously used for credit card acceptance towards additional graduate education programming needs. The Council thanks you for your ongoing support for the enterprise of graduate education.

For information on dues, please contact memberservices@cgs.nche.edu.

Institutional Membership

Institutional membership in CGS is open to universities and colleges of higher education significantly engaged in graduate education, research and scholarship. The Council of Graduate Schools offers three types of Institutional Membership.

Regular and Associate Membership

Available to institutions in the United States and Canada significantly engaged in graduate education, research and scholarship, and the preparation of candidates for advanced degrees.

International Membership

Available to institutions of higher education outside the United States and Canada that are significantly engaged in graduate education, research, and scholarship.

Strategic Consultations

Strategic Consultations Cost Structure

The Council of Graduate Schools Strategic Consultations are led by recognized graduate leaders selected from CGS member institutions and informed by an on-campus or a virtual site-visit. Aligned with CGS research, benchmarking, and policy documents, consultations guide universities toward best practices for administering graduate education. Standard consultations include a two-consultant/two-day model and a three-consultant/three-day model. For institutions requiring immediate assistance, an emergency one-consultant/one-day model is available. Consultations are available to CGS member institutions, international affiliates, and non-members institutions.

Initiating a Strategic Consultation:

A consultation is initiated by contacting Robert M. Augustine, CGS Senior Vice President Emeritus at raugustine@cgs.nche.edu or 217-549-5246 who will arrange an online discussion with the university leadership to create a consultation Assessment Profile. The profile details the areas of graduate study that the institution seeks to advance and prepares the consultants for the on-campus or virtual site-visit.

On Campus Site Visit

On campus site visit planning begins with confirmation of the consultants. The consultation team studies the Assessment Profile and university support materials. In collaboration with the university, the consultation team develops the site-visit agenda. Based on the model selected by the university, the consultants travel to campus and meet with institutional representatives who inform assessment of the areas outlined in the profile.

Virtual Site Visit

Virtual site visits also begin with confirmation of the consultants. The consultation team studies the Assessment Profile and university support materials. In collaboration with the university, the consultation team develops a virtual site-visit agenda. Based on the model selected by the university and using virtual technologies, the consultants hold discussions with institutional representatives who inform assessment of the areas outlined in the profile.

Strategic Consultations Report

Integrating information obtained from the on-campus or virtual site visit, university documents, and CGS research, the consultants deliver a detailed report to the university. The report’s recommendations will align the university with best practices for administering its graduate mission with emphasis on the areas outlined in the Assessment Profile.

Frequently Requested Areas of Consultation:

Organization & Administration of Graduate Education
Enrollment Management
Program Review, Assessment, Signature Programs
Professional Development and Related Student Services
Financial Assessment and Student Funding
Marketing, Recruitment, & Demand Analysis
Graduate Admissions Structures and Processes
Preparing for and Responding to Accreditation
Completion and Attrition

CGS provides on-site consultations and custom data reports to member and non-member institutions. Depending upon your strategic consultation topic, you may choose to combine services.

Custom Data Reports

The Council of Graduate Schools also offers custom data reports inform strategic decision-making. The reports provide leaders with comparison data tailored to institutional Carnegie classification and mission based on benchmarking data, national surveys, and comprehensive data sets.

Strategic Consultations Fee Structure:

Consultation Models and Options	Member Rate (2021)	Non-Member Rate (2021)
Emergency Consultation
*One Day/One Consultant On-Campus or Virtual Option**
Consultant Fee (Includes report)	$1,250	$2,000
Administrative Costs	$6,000	$6,000
Total Fees for On-Campus or Virtual Consultation*	$7,250	$8,000

Standard Consultation Model 1
*Two Days/Two Consultants On-Campus or Virtual Option**
Consultant Fee	$5,000	$8,000
Administrative Costs	$6,000	$8,000
Total Fees for On-Campus or Virtual Consultation*	$11,000	$16,000

Standard Consultation Model 2
Three Days/Three Consultants*
Consultant Fee	$11,250	$18,000
Administrative Costs	$6,000	$8,000
Total Fees for On-Campus or Virtual Consultation*	$17,250	$26,000

International Consultations*
Fee per Consultant (Includes report)	$1,250/day	$2,000/day
Administrative Costs	$6,000	$8,000

Custom Data Reports
Data Analysis	$200/hour	$400/hour
Data Retrieval Costs	Actual expenses	Actual expenses

*For an On-campus Site Visit Option Add Consultant Travel, Meal, and Accommodation Expenses

For more information on strategic consultations, please contact Robert Augustine, senior vice president, emeritus.

Dean's Discussion Board

The CGS Dean's Discussion Board provides an electronic forum where graduate deans and senior staff exchange questions, ideas, and institutional practices. Common topics include financial aid, admissions, joint and dual degree programs, and administrative policies.

The Dean's Discussion Board is owned and maintained by CGS. Content is reviewed to assure that messages are appropriate. Discussions may be moderated and comments that do not adhere to the forum rules may be removed.

How to Login

Please login at cgsnet.org/forum using your CGS member username and password.

Requesting Access

If you are a CGS member graduate dean or other senior staff in the graduate school at a member institution who would like to subscribe, please submit your subscription request to forum@cgs.nche.edu. Please include your name, title, institution, and email address.

Eligibility

Institutional members: Graduate deans and other senior staff at CGS member institutions may request access to the discussion board using the instructions above. Representatives of CGS member institutions may view and post comments.

Non-institutional members: Corresponding Affiliates and Sustaining members may request read-only access to the discussion board. Collaborator and Visionary level members may request that comments be posted on their behalf by contacting Adrienne Vincent.

Forum Rules

Please see the CGS Discussion Forum Rules and Guidelines for a complete list of posting rules.

Questions?

For help with using the Dean's Discussion Board, see the frequently asked questions (FAQs) or contact us at forum@cgs.nche.edu. Please do not post user help requests to the discussion board. You can direct questions, suggestions, or concerns to forum@cgs.nche.edu.

Become a Member

The Council of Graduate Schools welcomes your involvement and active participation by offering a number of membership and partnership opportunities.

Institutional Membership

Institutional membership in CGS is open to universities and colleges of higher education significantly engaged in graduate education, research and scholarship. Here you can see the institutional memberships CGS offers.

Sustaining Membership Network

CGS invites organizations, corporations, foundations and other associations who share the Council’s mission and have interest in promoting graduate education to apply for membership in the CGS Sustaining Membership Network.

Membership Dues

Membership dues vary depending on level and type of membership. Here you can see a full list of the financial commitments expected of each member.

Outreach Opportunities

CGS offers its sustaining members a host of new opportunities for visibility at the organization's Annual Meeting. Non-members can take advantage of opportunities to exhibit at the Annual Meeting and to advertise in the CGS newsletter, GradEdge.

Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

CGS is connected with the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program through the Council of Graduate Schools/Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) Joint McNair Committee.

Named in honor of the astronaut who died in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, McNair is one of the TRIO programs funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. It is designed to encourage and prepare low-income, first-generation in college, and minority students to pursue doctoral degrees and careers in college teaching. It represents the largest and best pipeline of potential graduate students from these groups in the nation.

COE and CGS distributes an annual directory of McNair Scholars to CGS member institutions every fall.

McNair Fee Waivers

For a list of graduate schools that provide application fee waivers and other financial incentives for McNair students, click here.

McNair Scholars Directory

The McNair Scholars Directory contains the names of McNair Scholars from around the country. For directions to download the password-protected directory from the COE website, click here. Instructions for accessing the directory are also sent to CGS members each fall.

McNair Email Discussion List

CGS members with graduate opportunities, recruitment, or meeting information of interest to the McNair community may forward this information to Hironao Okahana for posting on the McNair Email Discussion List. All pertinent contact information should be included in the message. Only individuals affiliated with McNair programs may subscribe to the discussion list.

Contact

Suzanne Ortega