Policy on Time Limits for Completion of Programs

Background

The revision to the policy was undertaken with the goal of supporting students in the timely completion of their degrees. Best practice indicates that: expectations about reasonable completion times should be clearly articulated; periodic monitoring of progress can identify obstacles enabling remedies to be introduced at an earlier point; and, goal setting assists students and supervisors in determining the path forward.

Annual progress reports documenting achievements/accomplishments and goals/objectives for the upcoming year are completed by the student with input from the supervisor. Completion of Master’s year 2 and PhD year 4 are identified reference time points*. At this point, students’ research should be progressing well and it is a reasonable time at which to review the status with sights set on remaining work to be completed. Having these discussions at year 6 or later minimizes the benefit in supporting timely completion.

* In Ontario, graduate programs are reviewed and approved by a provincial quality assurance body and programs are structured such that the degree requirements can be completed within 2 and 4 years of full time study (Master’s and PhD, respectively). The Provincial Government uses this framework to fund approved programs. It is reasonable then to adopt 2 and 4 year reference time points. 

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Policy

Current (applies to all currently enrolled graduate students):  

The requirements for master's programs must be completed within five years from the time of initial registration in the department/program. The requirements for doctoral programs must be completed within seven years from the time of initial registration in the department/program. It should be noted that these specified periods are time LIMITS and are not indicative of normal program duration.

Revised (effective September, 2013): 

Master’s programs are designed and approved such that requirements can be completed within two years (6 terms) of initial full-time registration in the program. Doctoral programs are designed and approved such that requirements can be completed within four years (12 terms) of initial full-time registration in the program. It is recognized that there may be reasons for which additional time is required to complete a degree program (including, for example, required or voluntary internships, or extended archival or fieldwork requirements). In such circumstances, a request for an Extension of Time Limitsmay be granted by the Department/Program no later than two weeks prior to the end of term 7 of a Master’s program and no later than two weeks prior to the end of term 13 of a PhD program.

Note: The academic year is divided into 3 terms: Fall (September –December), Winter (January-April) and Summer (May-August). Each term is 4 months long.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions