Time Limit for Completion

All requirements for a graduate program at Southern University must be completed within a six-year period. Doctoral students have a seven-year period. This period starts from the semester in which the student completes the first graduate course that applies to their program or the date of acceptance, whichever comes first. Graduate courses that exceed the time limit no longer count toward meeting program requirements, including transferred courses.

Extension Requests

An extension of the time to complete program requirements may be granted only in cases of compelling extenuating circumstances. To request an extension, students must submit a written petition to their graduate program advisor before the expiration of the course or program. The advisor then forwards the petition, along with a recommendation, to the Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. The decision on the petition will be communicated to the student and the advisor in writing. Extensions of more than one year are rarely granted.

Program Expiration

When an approved program expires, the student must reapply to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Courses that do not meet the validity period cannot be applied to a new program of study unless revalidated by examination. Some graduate programs permit revalidation, while others do not. If revalidation is permitted by the academic department, the student's current knowledge and proficiency in the content, methodology, and skills of each course must be determined and certified by the graduate coordinator. The School of Graduate and Professional Studies does not permit revalidation of more than half of the coursework in a program. Revalidations must be approved and submitted to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies before the student is readmitted.