Time Limit Extension Requests

In their handbooks, graduate programs at MSU describe what it means to be in “acceptable” and “good” academic standing. Part of this is tied to timely progress: Graduate students are expected to reach various milestones within certain time limits. Units should be guiding and mentoring students toward timely progress.

As GSRR (2.4.4) states: “The time limitations for candidates seeking advanced degrees shall be made known to the graduate student at the time of first enrollment.” The Academic Programs Catalog lists the University's maximum time limits for the following milestones:

• Ph.D. and DMA comprehensive examinations: 5 years
• Ph.D. and DMA degrees: 8 years
• Master's degrees in the Colleges of Arts and Letters, Human Medicine, Natural Science, Nursing, Osteopathic Medicine, Social Science, and Veterinary Medicine: 6 years
  • MFA: 9 years
• All other Master's degrees: 5 years

These policies reinforce the University’s commitment to academic quality and scholarly excellence.

The MSU Graduate School acknowledges that there are unforeseen circumstances that may impede students’ timely progress. Empathy is a core value in our strategic plan: “We listen with open minds, respecting the diverse needs and aspirations of those we lead and serve.” The Graduate School, therefore, allows students who are facing unforeseen circumstances that impede their timely progress to request an extension of the University’s time limits.

You can find the Power Automate approvals you've received here.

Please direct questions to approvals@grd.msu.edu.

Prior to requesting an extension, the student must meet with their advisor and any guidance committee members to explain their request, develop a new plan for completion, and receive the committee’s support for the new plan. 

Students receiving financial aid should contact OFAgrad@msu.edu to learn how a longer timeline could affect their financial aid.

Please contact approvals@grd.msu.edu to request an extension of a graduate certificate or an extension for a student who must be readmitted. Otherwise, the form below should be submitted by the student’s advisor/chairperson or their graduate program administrator before the completion deadline expires. 

Requests submitted after the deadline has already expired will receive extra scrutiny. Extensions are normally granted for a period of up to one year. Requests for longer extensions must detail why such an adjustment is necessary.

Upon submission, the submitter will receive an email with their responses, and the form will automatically route first to the Graduate Program Director(s) and then to the College Associate Dean(s) of Graduate Studies. The student will then be emailed a PDF containing all relevant information and approvals. The student must then upload the PDF into Campus Solutions under “Requests.” 

Note: Uploading does not automatically approve. The Graduate School will review it first. If approved, the final approval from the Graduate School will automatically extend the student’s relevant time limit for completion.

You can find the Power Automate approvals you've received here.

Please direct questions to approvals@grd.msu.edu.

Process Map

View a map of this process here.

The following are considerations that will be required in order to complete a Time Limit Extension Request. Please gather this information beforehand to prepare to complete the request.

• Student Information 
  • Name, email, and last 4 digits of EMPLID
  • Advisor’s name and email
  • Semester and year the student started their program 
  • College(s) & degree program(s) 
• Email for student’s Graduate Program Director(s)
• Documents from any previous extension requests
• Type of extension(s) being requested 
• Original & new deadline(s) 
• Date comps were passed, if applicable 
• Reason comps should stand, if applicable 
• Brief description of student's standing in the degree program
• Explanation of why time limit has already expired, if applicable 
• Explanation of why the student cannot meet the deadline(s), and what has changed that will enable them to meet the new deadline(s) if approved.
• Separate document with a detailed timeline for meeting the new deadline(s), including all intermediate steps anticipated until completion. The timeline should be formatted as a list or table, not a narrative paragraph. 
• A copy of the student's most recent two years of annual reviews, and their re-admission letter (if applicable), as a single PDF file. 
• Other Information 
  • Any additional comments. 
  • By default, the form submitter, student, advisor/chairperson, and Graduate Program Director will receive notifications whenever the status of the request changes. Enter the emails for anyone else who needs intermediate updates along the way (e.g., program assistant).