Extension of Candidacy Policy and Process

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Dissertation/Treatise Completion Requirements

1. According to the Graduate School guidelines (Graduate School Handbook), students who have been admitted to doctoral candidacy have three years to complete their degree. The candidacy of each student  is reviewed after three years and annually thereafter. At the end of the third year, the Graduate Studies Office informs Department Graduate Advisor that a student’s candidacy must be reviewed and a recommendation be made concerning an “Extension of Candidacy” or “Termination of Candidacy.”

2. Candidates in the EDA Department will have only four years to complete their dissertation/treatise activities and degree.

3. At the end of the third year of candidacy, an Extension of Candidacy for one last year may be requested and must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee of the department according to the process outlined in this policy, effective September 2010.

4. An extension of candidacy may be approved for up to one year (2 long plus 1 summer semesters) only.

5. Under extraordinary circumstances, candidates may request an additional extension of candidacy provided the dissertation/treatise committee chair, and the program head support such a request.

Extension of one last year

1. The department graduate advisor informs the dissertation/treatise committee chair and the program head of the need for an extension request. 

2. The student, in collaboration with the chair of the dissertation/treatise committee and the program head, writes and submits a completion plan to the graduate advisor. This plan must include detailed activities and dates to complete and defend the dissertation or treatise, and a support statement from the dissertation/treatise committee chair. 

3. The graduate advisor presents the request for Extension of Candidacy to the Graduate Studies Committee for approval. 

4. The dissertation/treatise committee chair makes a brief report providing any additional information. The Graduate Studies Committee makes a decision regarding the extension request including any conditions, or termination of the student’s program.

5. The graduate advisor informs the student of the decision including any conditions that might apply.

6. The Graduate Advisor submits the Extension of Candidacy Recommendation to the Office of the Graduate School.

7. This is the last extension of candidacy a student may request.

Additional Extension

1. Only under exigent circumstances as verified by the Chair of the dissertation/treatise committee, and the program chair, a student may request an additional extension.  

The student must submit a progress report (Appendix A) and support statement from the dissertation/treatise committee and the program head.

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