Five-year rule and 8 month additional exception

  • You have 5 years from the date you took prelims to defend and deposit your dissertation at the Grad School.
  • Due to the pandemic, an additional 8-month automatic extension is in effect for dissertators.  Dissertators who took prelims more than 5 years and 8 months ago are not eligible for this extension.
  • If your department/advisor/committee believes that an appeal of the time limit is appropriate, the advisor may send an email to Alexandra Walter, explaining the reason why it is taking more than 5 years to complete the degree, how you are staying active in the field, and when you will defend and deposit your dissertation at the GS.