Policies concerning graduate education are set by the Graduate Council, a committee of the Academic Senate, and carried out by the Graduate Division staff (under the direction of the Graduate Dean).

In addition, each program has one or more Graduate Advisors, appointed by the Graduate Dean, whose job is to assist students in program planning and completing degree requirements, to approve official study lists, and to write a yearly evaluation of each student's progress toward the degree. Students should confer regularly with their Graduate Advisers