A master’s student who is not enrolled in courses and has not been enrolled for six consecutive regular semesters (fall and spring) must successfully petition to remain in the master’s program, prior to recommencing formal work toward the degree (that is, prior to enrolling in any courses, signing up for thesis hours, or scheduling a thesis defense).
The petition will take the form of a substantial letter explaining the circumstances surrounding the student’s separation from the program and making a case that the student is in now in a position to complete the degree in a timely manner. Petitions will be reviewed by the Graduate Curriculum Committee.
Any student whose petition is approved may enroll in classes or schedule a thesis defense in the semester immediately following approval or in the semester immediately following that one. (If the student does not enroll or defend in either of those semesters, the student must file a new petition if the student wishes to recommence formal work toward the degree.) A student whose petition is denied is allowed to re-apply to the graduate program, via the standard procedure, without any loss of credit from work previously done, if the student is readmitted.