Statute of Limitations for Completion of Graduate Programs

Duquesne University has established a Statute of Limitations for all graduate degree programs. No academic program may establish a Statute of Limitations less restrictive than that of the University. Academic programs may establish a Statute of Limitations that is more restrictive than that of the University. Students should consult the Catalog of Graduate and Professional Programs for school-specific policies.

The purpose of the Statute of Limitations is to ensure that students earn degrees that represent mastery of current knowledge in the field and reflect the intense commitment to scholarship and practice necessary for advanced study in one's chosen discipline.

All requirements for master's-level degrees must be completed within a period of six years from the date of initial registration for the program of study. This provision applies to students who enter with or without advanced standing or transfer credit. All requirements for doctoral programs must be completed within a period of eight years from the date of initial registration for the program of study. Students with disabilities who may require an extension of time to complete a graduate degree are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Services.

Students may not suspend their enrollment in their degree programs in order to avoid the Statute of Limitations policy. Regardless of the nature of any absences they may take during their programs of study, students who do not enroll and are not on an Approved Leave of Absence will be held to their original Statute of Limitations for degree completion upon their return. A student who has separated from the University for more than two consecutive fall/spring semesters and who was not on an approved Leave of Absence is subject to the Readmission Policy.

Under exceptional circumstances, a candidate for an advanced degree may apply for an extension to the Statute of Limitations. Such an extension may be granted only in cases where there is clear evidence of progress towards successful completion of the degree and the student can document an extraordinary reason for being granted the extension. The application for an extension must include a detailed schedule for degree completion. Students may apply for only one extension for up to one year.

Requests for an extension to the Statute of Limitations must be submitted by the graduate student to his/her advisor who then forwards the request with his/her recommendation to the relevant or designated school committee or office. The student will be notified in writing of the decision via electronic mail directed to the student's DUQ email address. An appeal of the denial of a request for an extension may be submitted to the school's academic dean whose review and decision are final.

The timeline for requesting an extension to the Statute of Limitations is as follows:

• The student must submit the request for an extension to his/her advisor no later than 25 business days prior to the expected graduation date.
• The advisor will forward the request for an extension with his/her recommendation to the relevant or designated school committee or office within 5 business days of receiving the request.
• The relevant or designated school committee or office will review the request for an extension within 5 business days of receiving it and the advisor's recommendation.
• The relevant or designated school committee or office will notify the student in writing of the decision to allow or deny the request within 5 business days of conducting its review.
• If the request is denied, the student may file an appeal to the school's academic dean within 5 business days of receiving notification of the relevant or designated school committee or office's decision.
• The academic dean will notify the student of his/her decision regarding the appeal within 5 business days of receiving the appeal. The decision of the dean is final.