Time Limits for Degree Completion and Graduation
University Policy
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development Policy
Time Limits on Completion of a Degree/Certificate
Undergraduate Students
Bachelor’s degree candidates are allowed seven years from the date of admission to complete degree requirements. Courses taken more than seven years before the date of graduation are not counted toward the bachelor’s degree. Leaves of absence do not extend the seven-year limit.
Graduate Students
Master of Education (EdM), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Science (MS), and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) candidates are allowed a maximum of six years from the date of admission to complete degree or certificate requirements. Courses taken more than six years before the date of graduation cannot be used to meet degree or certificate requirements.
Doctoral (EdD and PhD) candidates are allowed seven years from the date of admission to complete all degree requirements. Courses taken more than seven years before graduation cannot be used to meet degree requirements.
Leaves of absence do not extend the six- or seven-year limit.
Consideration of extensions (in one-year increments) beyond the timelines stated above will be considered through a formal petition procedure.
Students who fail to register for consecutive terms without first notifying the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development about their intention to withdraw or take a leave of absence from the University will be administratively withdrawn from their program. Students may petition the college to be reinstated. Students should be aware that reinstatement is not guaranteed. To begin the petition process, students should submit a request at least 8 weeks prior to their intended return.
Application for Graduation
Students must apply for graduation according to the following deadlines:
- March 1 for May graduation
- June 1 for August graduation
- November 1 for January graduation
Graduation applications are located on the Wheelock Graduation website.
Tentative August graduates who wish to participate in Commencement prior to receiving their degrees must submit a Graduation Application for August indicating they intend to participate in the May ceremony.
While degrees are conferred in August, January, and May, graduation ceremonies are held in May only, and all completers are welcome to participate in both the May Wheelock College Convocation and the University-wide Commencement events.
Students must submit a Graduation Application in advance of the intended date of graduation.
