Graduate Bulletin - Central Michigan University

28 Central Michigan University
Duration of Admission Status: Time for
Completion of Degree
After admission to a graduate program of study, students are
expected to complete degree or certificate requirements in a responsible
and timely manner. For full-time students, two calendar
years should be adequate for the completion of most master’s
degree programs; five calendar years should be adequate for the
complete of most doctoral programs. Part-time students may need
a somewhat longer period to meet these requirements, but in all
instances, coursework and other requirements must be completed
within the following time limitations:
a. Graduate Certificate: within four years;
b. Master’s or Specialist’s degrees: within seven years;
c. Doctoral Degrees: within eight years if the student had a
relevant graduate degree when beginning the program OR
within ten years if the student began doctoral study without
a relevant prior graduate degree.
Extension of Time Requests. Extension of time requests
are serious and approval by the advisor and department do not
guarantee approval by the College of Graduate Studies. Extension
of time to complete a degree or certificate are rarely granted and
only considered if there are clearly extenuating circumstances.
Typically “life” events (employment changes, responsibilities, or
promotions, marriage and births) do not count as extenuating
circumstances. Students must demonstrate the following for their
requests to be considered by the College of Graduate Studies:
compelling extenuating circumstances, current knowledge in the
subject matter they wish to extend, and steady progress toward
the certificate or degree. Students that have not been enrolled
at CMU for more than two years are not making steady progress.
Transfer credit is not eligible for extension consideration. Extension
requests are limited to a one time request of twelve to eighteen
months. If an extension is granted, a second extension is highly
unlikely and students should plan accordingly. Extension of time
request forms are available on the College of Graduate Studies
website: www.grad.cmich.edu.
Admission to the College of Graduate Studies is valid for four
to ten years (depending on the degree or certificate sought) after
the date of first admission, except by cancellation for cause, or
by one of the following provisions:
1. Degree or Certificate Recipients. The student's admission to
the College of Graduate Studies is terminated upon completion
of all requirements for a degree or certificate. (This provision
does not apply to students who earn a master's degree while
enrolled in a doctoral program, or to students who earn a
certificate while enrolled in a master's or doctoral program.)
To resume graduate study thereafter on a second degree
program or as a non-degree student, the student may apply
for readmission by submitting an Application for Admission.
2. Termination of Admission. This policy is explained under the
“Duration of Admission Status,” noted above.
3. Inactive Status. If a student does not register for the initial
graduate work within one year after the date of admission to the
College of Graduate Studies, or if in completing one or more
courses the student earns no further graduate credit at this
university for three consecutive years, the student is classified
as inactive and the admission is terminated. If the student
has completed one or more courses, the permanent record
card is retained by the Registrar. The student may thereafter
apply for readmission to resume graduate study at a later date
by submitting an Application for Admission and supplying all
other documents requested by the department concerned.
Effective in 1991, the College of Graduate Studies retains
original application materials for 7 years (unless the degree
or certificate is awarded), so transcripts that were submitted
with the original application do not need to be resubmitted. If a
student became inactive prior to 1991, check with the College
of Graduate Studies to determine whether transcripts must be
submitted from other universities.
If a student does not earn graduate credit at CMU for seven
consecutive years, the student's original application, letters,
transcripts from other universities, and other materials will be
destroyed. If one wishes to apply for readmission after that length
of time, all materials, including a new application, transcripts and
other documents requested by the department will need to be
submitted.
Changing Degree Programs
To change graduate programs, the student should send a completed
Request for Change of Program form, along with a check
for $35.00 to the College of Graduate Studies. The request will
be forwarded to the new department for approval. Acceptance
into one graduate program does not guarantee acceptance into
another.
If the program change is approved, the student should meet with
the new academic advisor and complete a new Authorization of
Degree Program - Graduate form or Certificate Program form.
Recomputing Grade Point Average
Students who transfer from one graduate program to another
may file a Recomputation of Grade Point Average Petition. If approved
by the advisor, department chair, and Dean of the College
of Graduate Studies all courses completed on the original graduate
program will be disallowed on the second program plan, all grades
on previous coursework will be disregarded, and the students will
begin the new program with no cumulative grade point average.
The Recomputation of Grade Point Average Petition must be filed
within one calendar year of beginning the new program. NOTE:
All courses will still remain on the student's transcript although the
grades will not contribute to the grade point average.
Registration Information
Students are eligible to enroll in graduate level courses after
they receive their admission letter. The letter will show whether
they are approved for Regular, Conditional, Provisional, Non-
Degree, or Concurrent admission. Initial registration must occur
within one calendar year of the admission date or the student will
need to reapply.
The information you need regarding dates and procedures
for Phase I registration (course selection), Phase II registration,
and change of registration for a particular semester is published
by the Registrar's Office in the Class Schedule (www.cmich.edu/
Registrars). Registration for fall semester takes place from March
to July and again in August; for spring semester, it takes place from
October to November and again in January; and registration for
summer sessions takes place from February to March and again
in May and June. Exact dates are listed in the Class Schedule or
may be obtained from the Registrar's Office, 299 Warriner Hall,
(989) 774-3261.
NOTE: The University reserves the right to cancel any class
in which too few students enroll.
Registration Procedure
Graduate students may register any time during the registration
period via the iCentral (https://iCentral.cmich.edu). It is recommended
that they register during the special computer time reserved
for graduate students. The procedures for registration are described
in the Class Schedule. However, before registering for courses,
students should verify that they meet the prerequisites. This is
particularly true for internships, practica, independent studies, and
thesis/dissertation credits. CAUTION: Students should always
consult their advisors to determine which classes to take.
NOTE: Occasionally a student who is trying to register is told
that there is a “hold” on his or her registration. Students who receive
this message should contact the College of Graduate Studies at
(989) 774-GRAD to determine the cause of the hold.