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Extension Policy

Master’s and doctoral students who require additional time to complete their program may request an extension. The following guidelines apply:

• Extension duration: 1 to 3 terms per request

• Maximum allowed extensions: Up to a total of 6 terms

• Certificate and diploma students: Not eligible for extensions

Academic units are expected to have clear, published guidelines regarding extension requests. These may include:

• A draft of the thesis or major project

• A proposed completion plan

• Written support from the supervisor

• Other relevant documentation

These guidelines should be available on the academic unit's website or in their graduate handbook.

Tracking Time Remaining

At this time, there is no automated system to notify students or staff of the time remaining in a program. The time remaining must be calculated manually by:

1. Counting the number of terms since the student began the program

2. Subtracting any officially approved leaves (compassionate, parental, medical, or academic break)

If assistance is needed with this calculation, please submit a support ticket to the Graduate Studies office.

Extension Process

Students must complete an Extension Application Form and submit it, with attachments to their academic unit for approval. The approved form must then be submitted to Graduate Studies. 

The form can only be used by graduate students who have not been discontinued; they must follow the reactivation or readmission process. 

If an extension is granted, students must maintain continous enrollment for the length of their extensions. 

Time Limits & Service Indictors

• When the normal program time limit has expired a C09 service indictor (time expired) will appear on a students account and block enrollment. To resolve: the student applies for an extension and if granted the C09 will move to end of their extension period.
• When a time limit extension is granted a C08 service indictor (enrollment letter block) will appear on their account. This will not block enrollment. This blocks students from being able to download a confirmation of enrollment letter through the self-service function of goSFU. 
• Any student on an extension will need to request a custom confirmation of enrollment letter from Graduate Studies.