How to Request an Extension of Timelimit

Students seeking a master' s degree or graduate certificate have six years from the time they first register after being admitted to their programs to graduate. Doctoral students have six years from the time they first register after being admitted to their programs to advance to candidacy. Once they advance, they have five years to complete their dissertation and graduate. However, doctoral students admitted fall '14 semester or after will have a total of 9 years to complete their degree, advancing to candidacy within no more than 6 years.  When students fail to complete their requirements within these time limits, they must request an extension from their program and Dean to continue in their program. Students who fail to submit an extension request will be terminated from their academic program.

Official Policy from the University Catalog

• Timelimit for master's students
• Timelimit for doctoral students

 All extension requests must be submitted electronically. Graduate Timelimit Extensions

1. An explanation of the untoward, extenuating circumstances that precipitated the need for an extension and documentation supporting the request.
2. A list of the degree requirements that need to be completed and a timeline as to how this will be accomplished, approved by the faculty advisor.
3. The semester and year in which the student will complete the requirements and graduate.
4. The approval of the faculty advisor and graduate program director.

1. An explanation of the untoward, extenuating circumstances that precipitated the need for an extension and documentation supporting the request.
2. A list of the degree requirements that need to be completed before advancement and a timeline as to how this will be accomplished approved by the faculty advisor. (Please keep in mind that age of the student' s coursework should be considered. That is, are the courses taken at the beginning of the program still relevant? Should additional coursework be required?)
3. The semester and year that the student will advance to candidacy.
4. The semester and year that the student will submit their dissertation and graduate. (Students have five years from the time they advance to candidacy until they graduate. Since they are being given more than six years to advance to candidacy consideration should be given to the length of time they have to graduate.)
5. The approval of the faculty advisor and graduate program director.

1. An explanation of the untoward, extenuating circumstances that precipitated the need for an extension and documentation supporting the request.
2. A list of any degree requirements that need to be completed and a timeline for accomplishing it, approved by the faculty advisor.
3. The semester and year the student will submit their dissertation and graduate.
4. The approval of the advisor and graduate program director.