Time Allowed for a Master’s or Specialist Degree

All degree requirements must be met within six years.

When some but not all degree requirements were fulfilled more than six years earlier, a student may apply to have that coursework revalidated. In doing so, he or she must obtain permission from the department chairperson or designee and the dean of the Graduate School to demonstrate evidence of current knowledge in the out-of-date coursework. The methods for demonstrating currency will be determined on a case-by-case basis but may include written or oral examination on material covered in the course, retaking of out-of-date courses for credit or audit, passing a more advanced course in the same subject area, or presenting other evidence of currency in the field. The department chairperson or designee will present a written statement to the dean of the Graduate School outlining the conditions for revalidation of each course; the dean of the Graduate School will make the final determination on these conditions. If the dean of the Graduate School approves the conditions for revalidation, the department chairperson or designee will forward written results of these conditions, once satisfied, along with a recommendation for or against granting credit for the course(s) in question.

When all degree requirements were fulfilled more than six years earlier, a student must reapply for admission and meet current admission standards and degree program requirements. If readmitted to the degree program, a student may request to revalidate out-of-date course work as described above.

A student must meet additional requirements as determined by the department chairperson or designee and dean of the Graduate School if:

• The examinations are not passed with a B (3.) or higher, or
• Evidence of current knowledge is not persuasive, or
• The original recommendation of the department chairperson and the dean of the Graduate School was that examinations and/or the presentation of evidence were not appropriate.

Any transfer credit used to meet degree requirements expires six years from the date each course was completed. Transfer work is not eligible for revalidation.

Final approval of any request to revalidate out-of-date coursework rests with the dean of the Graduate School.