Extensions for Courses or Thesis

1. Conditions for Extension. Coursework extensions beyond the end of the semester are normally granted only for serious reasons and only if the following conditions are met: a) at least 50% of course requirements to date has been completed, e.g., a completed rough draft in the case of a final paper; b) the student’s work to date is passing; and c) attendance has been satisfactory. In such cases—and only in such cases—the grade “I” (Incomplete) may be given.

If the instructor would like to grant an extension to a student who has not met the conditions for an extension (or in lieu of a failing grade), he or she may assign the grade “FI” (Failure Incomplete). In such cases, a mandatory grade reduction in the final course grade normally applies.

2. Deadlines for Completing Work. Incompletes must be made up no later than January 15 (for fall semester extensions), June 15 (for spring semester extensions), or September 15 (for summer term extensions). If the outstanding work is not completed by the deadline, the temporary grade “I” or “FI” will automatically be converted to an “F” by the registrar. When an incomplete is replaced by a permanent grade, the official notation “I Grade” remains on the student’s transcript indicating that the final grade was originally an incomplete.

Note: Students who are unable to continue their enrollment in the following semester and must withdraw from the program may be granted an extension of up to one year to complete their coursework.

3. Request for Extension. Any student requesting a coursework extension beyond the end of the semester must complete the “Request for Extension” form and submit it for approval to the course instructor, who will in turn present the form for final approval to the Academic Dean. When completed, all outstanding work must be submitted­­—by the deadline—to the Office of Academic Affairs, which will make arrangements for grading late papers and proctoring missed exams, rather than directly to the course instructor.
» Request for Extension Form (rev. 11/19)

1. Determination of Sufficient Progress. Thesis or final project extensions beyond the end of the semester are granted only if the advisor determines that sufficient progress has been made and that the thesis or final project is more likely than not to be completed by the submission deadline of the following semester. The following guidelines for thesis or project extensions apply:

a. Students registered for the first semester of a two-semester sequence for thesis (TS 401) or final project (TS 501):

• Students who make sufficient progress by the semester deadline will be awarded academic credit for TS 401 or TS 501 and be permitted to register for TS 402 or TS 502 in the following semester.
• Students who do not make sufficient progress by the submission deadline will normally be granted an extension until the deadline for completing extensions (January 15 for fall semester extensions, June 15 for spring semester extensions, or September 15 for summer term extensions), when the advisor will again determine whether sufficient progress has been made. If sufficient progress has indeed been made, academic credit for TS 401 or TS 501 will be awarded (with an “I Grade” notation on the transcript) and the student will be permitted to register for TS 402 or TS 502. However, if the advisor determines that sufficient progress has still not been made, the student will be withdrawn from the first semester of thesis or project registration (with the permanent grade W [Withdrawal]) and be required to reregister for TS 401 or TS 501 in the subsequent semester.

b. Students registered for a one-semester thesis (TS 306 or TS 310) or the second semester of a two-semester sequence (TS 402 or TS 502):

• Students who do not complete the thesis or final project by the submission deadline posted on the academic calendar may, if the advisor determines that sufficient progress has been made, be granted a one-semester extension or continuation (see “Continuation Registration” below) to complete the thesis (with an “I Grade” notation on the transcript).
• Students who do not complete the thesis or final project after one semester of extension or continuation may, if the advisor determines that sufficient progress has been made, be granted permission by the Academic Dean to register for one additional semester of extension or continuation.
• Students who do not complete the thesis or project after two semesters of extension or continuation will normally be withdrawn from the thesis or project registration (with the permanent grade W [Withdrawal]).

2. Continuation Registration. Students who have finished all coursework but have not completed their thesis or final project by the thesis submission deadline, which is posted on the academic calendar, or other program requirement, e.g., CPE or the M.Div. Senior Oral Exam, by the deadline for graduating students must register for continuation and pay the continuation fee in the following semester(s) in order to remain degree candidates. Failure to register for continuation and pay the fee will cause the student to be administratively withdrawn from the program. In the event that the student is unable to complete the thesis or project even after continuation registration(s), the permanent grade W (Withdrawal) will be entered on the student's transcript.

3. Request for Extension. Any student requesting a thesis or final project extension beyond the end of the semester must first secure the approval of the thesis or project advisor and then submit an email request—before the deadline for submitting theses and final projects—to the Academic Dean, cc'ing the advisor.