Master’s Thesis Time Limits

Current Requirements:

No policy exists; only a deadline which is not enforced consistently

Summary of Proposed Change:

Create a Master’s Thesis Deadline Policy

Justification of the Proposed Changes:

The proposed regulation is in response to the Graduate Student Services review in which
decreasing the number of procedural appeals was recommended. The proposed regulation is
consistent with the doctoral dissertation submission policy and would ensure that all students are
treated equitably. Submission of thesis by the deadline date will facilitate degree processing and
mailing of diplomas.

Proposed Graduate School Regulation: (Bulletin copy)

The completed Master’s Thesis must be submitted to by the Graduate School by the published
Graduate School submission deadline. This deadline is one week prior to the graduation
ceremony date.

If this deadline is not met, the student must apply and graduate in the next semester. However,
the student will not be required to register for the next semester if the thesis has been accepted by
the Graduate School prior to the first day of classes for the next semester. The date of
graduation, however, will be the next semester.

Recommendation for Action:

The Regulations and Requirements Committee recommends that the adoption of the Master’s
Thesis Deadline Policy be approved to start Semester I, 1997-98.

February 17, 1997

Graduate Faculty Doc. No. 715 Approved