Time Limits for Graduate Degrees Download to print

Graduate students must register for courses at Kent State University within two years after the students’ admission date to retain active status. Failing to do so, students must reapply, and all requirements in effect at the time of reapplication must be met. If students are unable to begin formal coursework during the term for which admission was originally granted, they must maintain current demographic information and academic transcripts at the admitting office at Kent State University and indicate the term in which they will register.

Master’s degree students will normally complete work within six calendar years after the students’ first graduate registration at Kent State University. Any credit being transferred for meeting degree requirements should also have been earned within the six-year period. Departments with time limits that vary from these norms will notify their students in writing.

It is expected that the doctoral degree students entering Kent State with a baccalaureate will complete the degree in no more than 10 years. Normally, doctoral degree students entering with a master’s degree will complete the degree in no more than nine years. Students proceeding from the baccalaureate will normally pass the candidacy examination within five years, and students already possessing a master’s degree will pass the candidacy examination within four calendar years of the first graduate registration at Kent State University. A doctoral candidate is expected to satisfactorily complete the dissertation and pass the final oral examination within five calendar years after having passed the candidacy examination. Individual disciplines may have shorter time limits, and students should consult with their specific program’s department.*

* Candidates for the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree must successfully complete all graduation requirements within six years of their initial matriculation. The six-year limitation includes any leaves of absence, withdrawals or any other interruptions of the students' program.

When an extension of any of these time limits seems to be necessary and proper, the student and advisor will petition the student’s department for an extension. The extension may be denied, in which case the student will be dismissed, or it may be granted with qualification. The student, advisor and college dean must be informed of the decision in writing. If the extension exceeds one year, the approval of the college dean is required. Requests for time extensions exceeding one year must be submitted to the college dean with evidence that the degree candidate is current in his/her field of study.

Students who must be away from their studies for one or more semesters for personal, family, financial or other compelling reasons may apply for a leave of absence. More information can be found in the Leave of Absence policy in this Catalog.

Upon receiving their graduate degree, students are inactivated and are no longer eligible to register for courses at Kent State University. If students wish to continue their studies at Kent State, they will need to reapply to the appropriate academic unit and be accepted for another graduate degree program or as a special non-degree student.