Six-Year Time Limit
All course work and capstone requirements (i.e., dissertations, theses, special projects and comprehensive exams) for the degree must be completed during the six years, which precede degree conferral. That is, the student has six years from the earliest course listed on the planned program (including any work transferred from another institution or completed prior to matriculation) to complete ALL degree requirements. If a student, due to extenuating circumstances, anticipates that he/she will be unable to complete all degree requirements within the six-year limit, the student may request an extension of time by writing to the graduate advisor who will forward it with recommendations to the Dean, School of Graduate Studies. When making the request, the student should include the semester and year in which he or she expects to complete the degree and the reason for not meeting the six-year time limit. If the Dean, School of Graduate Studies deems the request justified, an extension will be granted. However, for programs of 30-35 credits, a maximum of eight years will be allowed in total to complete the degree; for programs of 36 credits or more, a maximum of nine years will be allowed.
For a student enrolled in a thesis or special project, the capstone advisor can require regular progress reports from the student. Based on a lack of progress, the advisor can choose not to recommend an extension beyond the six-year time limit. Further, the advisor can choose to assign a failing grade for the thesis or special project.