Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools

The Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) is a regional affiliate of the Council of Graduate Schools, focusing on institutions of higher education in the central United States. It includes accredited colleges and universities that offer graduate programs leading to master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

Mission and Purpose

MAGS's primary purpose is to address mutual problems among its member institutions related to graduate studies and research. This is achieved through cooperation with other agencies to disseminate information, improve standards, encourage research, and assist institutions in developing graduate programs.

Activities and Programs

MAGS engages in various activities to support graduate education:

• Awards and Recognition: MAGS presents annual awards in several categories to recognize distinguished scholarship, teaching excellence, and innovative practices in graduate education.

  • MAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Master’s Thesis Awards: This award recognizes outstanding master’s thesis work across various fields, providing recipients with a cash honorarium and travel support to attend the MAGS annual meeting.
  • MAGS Excellence in Teaching Award: This award honors graduate students who demonstrate excellence in teaching and mentoring, reflecting their institution’s commitment to educational quality.
  • MAGS Award for Excellence and Innovation in Graduate Education: This award encourages and rewards innovative practices in graduate education, focusing on aspects like outreach, recruitment, retention, and degree attainment.

• Annual Meetings and Conferences: MAGS hosts annual meetings that serve as platforms for discussing key issues in graduate education. These conferences feature presentations, panels, and discussions on topics relevant to graduate schools, such as strategic development, cultural concerns, diversity, and inclusion.

Structure and Regional Affiliation

As one of four regional affiliates of the Council of Graduate Schools, MAGS works alongside the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools, the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools, and the Western Association of Graduate Schools. Each affiliate addresses regional challenges in graduate education and contributes to the broader goals of promoting excellence in research and academic standards.