UofC

Students in research- and thesis-based master’s programs must complete all degree requirements within four registration years; students in course-based master’s programs must complete all degree requirements within six registration years. It is expected that students completing a master’s degree on a full-time basis will complete the degree within half the time allowed.

Students in doctoral programs must complete all degree requirements within six registration years. It is expected that most candidates will complete requirements within four years.

A student may be required to withdraw for exceeding the maximum time allowed to complete all degree requirements.

Individual programs may require shorter completion times than the Faculty of Graduate Studies maximum. Check the program’s entry for specific details about time limits (see Program Descriptions).

If a student needs longer than the regulation time set out in D.6.1, they may request an extension to their program deadline. Requests must include a rationale and a detailed schedule for program completion that has been reviewed by the student's supervisor, if applicable, and Graduate Program Director. The extension request forms can be found on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.

Extension requests are subject to Faculty of Graduate Studies review. If an extension is not approved, the student's original program deadline will stand, and a student may be required to withdraw for reaching maximum time in program.

For programs that require shorter completion time than the Faculty of Graduate Studies maximum, requests for extension may be granted by the program.

Graduate programs must take the service by GSA Executive members into consideration in assessing the student’s progress in the annual progress report. On request, the Faculty of Graduate Studies will grant GSA Executive members extensions to time in program of up to one year per year in office.