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Duration of Admission Status: Time for Completion of Degree

After admission to a graduate program of study, students are expected to complete degree or certificate requirements in a responsible and timely manner. For full-time students, two calendar years should be adequate for the completion of most master’s degree programs; five calendar years should be adequate for the completion of most doctoral programs. Part-time students may need a somewhat longer period to meet these requirements, but in all instances, coursework and other requirements must be completed within the following time limitations:

  1. Graduate Certificate: within seven years;
  2. Master’s or Specialist’s degrees: within seven years;
  3. Doctoral Degrees: within eight years if the student had a relevant graduate degree when beginning the program OR within ten years if the student began doctoral study without a relevant prior graduate degree.

Continuous Registration

Any main campus student who has completed all academic course work except the final project (Plan B project or internship, thesis, doctoral project, dissertation) must be enrolled in at least one CMU graduate credit hour each fall and spring semester until graduation (summer sessions as well if summer course work is normally required in the program). The Continuous Registration for Final Research Project (course 619) within the student's home department can fulfill this one credit hour requirement.

If, after all academic course work except the final project is completed, a student does not enroll each fall and spring semester (and summer, where appropriate) until graduation, the student must enroll retroactively for each missed semester (including summer, where appropriate) once s/he returns to complete the project. A student may request a leave of absence by submitting a Leave of Absence Request form to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies; if approved, continuous registration will be waived during the approved leave period. Regardless of whether the student has a leave of absence, the student must still complete the degree within the time-to-degree limitations set forth under the degree requirements.

Thesis/Doctoral/Dissertation. To be exempt from the 619 continuous enrollment credit, a student must successfully defend his/her thesis/doctoral project/dissertation before the beginning of the semester (defined by the first day of class).

If a student successfully defends his/her thesis/doctoral project/dissertation before the beginning of the semester, he/she will receive "exempt" status for one semester. If the student does not complete the thesis/doctoral project/dissertation project outline by Graduate Studies within that semester, the student will be charged for the 619 continuous enrollment credit each semester until he/she graduates.

Internships. A student completing an internship will be given one academic year beyond his/her internship course to complete his/her internship and graduate. After that year, the student will be charged for the 619 continuous enrollment credit each semester until he/she graduates.

Comprehensive Examinations. A student will be given one semester after his/her comprehensive examination course to take the examination. If the student does not take the comprehensive examination the next semester or fails, he/she must register for 619 continuous enrollment credit until he/she graduates or does not pass the exam.

Extension of Time Requests

Extension of time requests are serious and approval by the advisor and department do not guarantee approval by the College of Graduate Studies. Extension of time to complete a degree or certificate are rarely granted and only considered if there are clearly extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances are circumstances in which the student would be entitled to an extended leave of absence from work or other responsibilities. Examples may include, but are not necessarily limited to military service and situations that would be covered under the Family Medical Leave Act. Students must demonstrate the following for their requests to be considered by the College of Graduate Studies: compelling extenuating circumstances, current knowledge in the subject matter they wish to extend, and steady progress toward the certificate or degree. Transfer credit is not eligible for extension consideration. Typically, extension requests are a one-time request of twelve to eighteen months total and for up to 9 graduate credit hours. Additional credits can be approved at the discretion of the College of Graduate Studies. If an extension is granted, a second extension is highly unlikely and students should plan accordingly. Extension of time request forms are available on the Graduate Studies website www.grad.cmich.edu.

Admission to Graduate Studies is valid for four to ten years (depending on the degree or certificate sought) after the date of first admission, except by cancellation for cause, or by one of the following provisions:

  1. Degree or Certificate Recipients. The student's admission to Graduate Studies is terminated upon completion of all requirements for a degree or certificate. (This provision does not apply to students who earn a master's degree while enrolled in a doctoral program, or to students who earn a certificate while enrolled in a master's or doctoral program.) To resume graduate study thereafter on a second degree program or as a non-degree student, the student may apply for readmission by submitting an Application for Admission.
  2. Termination of Admission. This policy is explained under the “Duration of Admission Status,” noted above.
  3. Inactive Status. If a student does not register for the initial graduate work within one year after the date of admission to Graduate Studies, or if in completing one or more courses the student earns no further graduate credit at this university for one academic year, the student is classified as inactive and the admission is terminated. If the student has completed one or more courses, the permanent record card is retained by the Registrar. The student may thereafter apply for readmission to resume graduate study at a later date by submitting an Application for Admission and supplying all other documents requested by the department concerned.

If a student does not earn graduate credit at CMU for seven consecutive years, the student's original application, letters, transcripts from other universities, and other materials will be destroyed. If one wishes to apply for readmission after that length of time, all materials, including a new application, transcripts and other documents requested by the department will need to be submitted.