Time-to-Degree Extension for Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation

Masters or doctoral student time limitation (see Time Limitations  policy) may be extended through written petition. The program coordinator on behalf of the student, no later than the first day of the month of the student’s time-to-degree expiration date, makes the request to the assistant/associate dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR). The request must include justification for the extension, requested amount of time, and timeline of tasks to degree completion. Official documentation to justify the request for the extension and the amount of time may be required by the assistant/associate dean to support the request.

No time extensions are considered for doctoral students unless all degree requirements other than dissertation (including the approval of the research topic and IRB, if needed) have been completed by the expiration of the eight-year time limit (see Time Limitations  policy). Master’s students must have all program course requirements completed to be eligible for an extension to complete their thesis. No more than two time-to-degree extensions are allowed for doctoral and master’s students.

Students should discuss the justification for an extension with their program coordinator and the eligibility criteria. The assistant dean of the SGSR will review all documentation submitted, thesis/dissertation progress, and time-to-degree limitations. The assistant/associate dean will render a decision and convey the decision in writing to the student, program coordinator, and thesis/dissertation chair.