The Graduate Studies (1986- ) was established from the Graduate School. The purpose of Graduate Studies is to coordinate and structure the graduate programs at Brigham Young University. Graduate Studies works with departments and colleges across the University to formulate admission, academic and curriculum standards. Formerly the Graduate School, Graduate Studies was established in 1986. The school operates under the direction of a Dean. The following have served: Marilyn Arnold (1986-1990), J. Keith Rigby (1990-1991), Marilyn Arnold (1991-1993), Addie Fuhriman (1993-1999), Bonnie Brinton (1999-2009), and Wynn Stirling (2009-). Graduate Studies serves as the central administrative body for the graduate programs at Brigham Young University. It officiates admissions, graduation, and acts as a liaison between the departments, students, and University. Graduate Studies collaborates with the faculty and departments to offer a wide variety of Masters and Doctoral programs. Graduate Studies, the Graduate Council, and the University president work together to establish graduation requirements, curriculum guidelines, and admissions standards. Most activities that fall outside of the individual departments of instruction, such as admission, are routed through the central Office of Graduate Studies.

The Graduate School (1929-1986) was to develop, coordinate and operate the graduate programs at Brigham Young University. The Graduate School also worked with coordinating and planning so that undergraduate and graduate level classes would be compatible for the university. The Graduate School was renamed Graduate Studies.

The Graduate School was established in 1929 to fulfill the need of education past the bachelor's degree. It operated under the guidance of a Dean. It also was under the guidance of a faculty-based council; the Council of the Graduate School (1946-1950), the General Committee of the Graduate School (1950-1957), and the Graduate Council (1957- ). The School also was under review of the President of the University. The following have served as Deans of the Graduate School: Christen Jensen (1929-1949), Asahel Woodruff (1949-1953), Christen Jensen (1953-1954), George Hansen (1954-57), A. Smith Pond (1957-1959), Wesley P. Lloyd (1960-1970), Chauncey C. Riddle (1970-1980). In 1986, the collection of graduate programs was renamed Graduate Studies. The Graduate School served as the central administrative body for the graduate programs at Brigham Young University. It officiated admissions, graduation, and acted as a liaison between the departments, students, and University. The programs within the School offered degrees at the Masters and Doctoral level. The School, Council, and University president worked together to establish graduation requirements, curriculum guidelines, and admissions standards.

The Graduate School operated directly under a Dean. In addition to the Dean, the school also was under the administration of a faculty-based council, as well as the review of the University president.