Membership Nomination Process

  • Active and Emeritus members are encouraged to nominate individuals.
  • Ensure that your nominee has the time and resources to successfully complete a thesis.
  • The primary nominator is required to collect the seconding letter(s) and submit the member nomination with all supporting documents in the online submission form located here.
  • A structured letter should be submitted by the AOS Member addressed to the Executive Vice President, with a seconding letter by another Active or Emeritus Member by the April 30th deadline each year.
  • If the primary nomination is from a mentor, or from someone from past or present in the candidate's department, two (2) seconding letters are required.
  • The Council reviews the nomination letters and candidates at the Executive Session in May and the membership votes on whether to invite the individual to submit a formal membership application.
  • The candidate is provided access to the online application form, to be completed within 30 days.
  • The Committee on Membership reviews the application form and supporting letters and presents acceptable candidates at the Fall Council Meeting.
  • Acceptable candidates are then formally invited immediately after the Fall Council Meeting to submit a thesis within three (3) years.
  • A submitted thesis is reviewed by the Committee on Theses as expeditiously as possible with a recommendation of acceptance, rejection, or revision. A thesis may be returned for revision only two times.
  • The Committee on Theses presents a report to the Council at its May meeting and the candidates are notified of the thesis status immediately following that meeting.