If a student's program includes a performance, an exhibition, or a thesis, supervision of the student's course of study and research and the conduct of the final examination are carried out by a three-member committee. Each committee consists of members or associates of the graduate faculty of the Mason Gross School of the Arts, and all nominations to the panel must be approved by the director or adviser of the program. One member of the committee serves as its chair. If a student's program does not include a thesis, the committee is appointed shortly before the final examination or performance. In any case, the student is encouraged to seek advice during the course of study from the graduate program director or adviser, committee chair, and professors supervising their courses.