Time Limits and Extensions

M.Sc. thesis students and students completing M.Sc. thesis requirements during their Ph.D., who request an extension past four 15-week semesters require justification and support for an extension. Students requesting a second extension require approval from the dean of graduate affairs. Extension requests may only be requested for a maximum of one semester or summer session at a time.

Students not granted an extension but who have met the requirements of a master’s without thesis may be able to graduate from the non-thesis option. M.Sc. non-thesis students are expected to complete in three semesters and one summer session.

The extension form must be completed and include the following:

A statement on the remaining scope of work (including thesis writing and defense) and whether it is achievable by the end of the following semester
Approval from the dean

Students entering the Ph.D. program with a master’s degree should finish their Ph.D. in two and a half to four years. Students entering the Ph.D. program with a bachelor’s degree should finish the Ph.D. in three and a half to six years. Ph.D. students have a maximum of seven years beyond the master’s degree to complete all degree requirements including the final defense and any conditions required by the defense committee.