Graduate College Awards

Every year, The Graduate College honors students and faculty with the awards below. Students and faculty members must be nominated via the process outlined for each award category. Award committees appointed by the Dean of The Graduate College select the winners. Visit our awards page for detailed descriptions of the past recipients' work.

Texas State Outstanding Master's Thesis Awards

The Outstanding Master's Thesis Awards are $500 thesis awards in alignment with the Conference of Southern Graduate School’s (CSGS) awards. These awards are given in four disciplinary categories on a rotating basis: a) Math, Physical Sciences and Engineering, b) Humanities and Fine Arts, c) Social Sciences, Business, and Education, and d) Life Sciences. In addition, there is also an award in the category of "Non-traditional Thesis/Project Award" (any discipline).


Texas State Outstanding Dissertation Award

The Outstanding Dissertation Awards are $1,000 dissertation awards in alignment with the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) Distinguished Dissertation Award. The awards are given in four different categories on a rotating basis:  a) Math, Physical Sciences and Engineering, b) Humanities and Fine Arts, c) Social Sciences, Business, and Education, d) Biological and Life Sciences. Texas State Ph.D. students or alumni in programs that fall into these categories will be eligible to participate.

The Call for Nominations for the Outstanding Dissertation Award will be open in February 2024.


Texas State Outstanding Mentor Award

Every year, The Graduate College hosts the Outstanding Mentor Award competition. This award recognizes and honors a faculty member who has had outstanding success in mentoring graduate students. The award eligibility criteria specified and requirements for the nomination materials are aligned with the criteria established by the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS) for their outstanding mentor award. As a result, the campus winner is entered in the CSGS competition with a chance to earn regional recognition.

Past Recipients

Learn about past recipients of this award, including last year's winner.