MA Residence Status

The Division’s MA programs require a set number of courses, properly distributed, and a master’s thesis. Please see the specific program website for details on those requirements.

Students are expected to register in each quarter of the academic year, Autumn-Winter-Spring. Students who have not registered for four consecutive quarters (except with an approved leave) will be withdrawn from the program, and must petition to resume studies, subject to approval of the director of the master’s program and the Division’s Dean of Students.

MA Program Leaves of Absence
Students are permitted up to four quarters personal leave (counting Summer) and four quarters medical leave (counting Summer) during their career in a doctoral program.

The Division of the Social Sciences generally does not permit a Leave of Absence during the first quarter of study. Our MA programs are designed to begin in Autumn Quarter. An MA student who cannot begin in Autumn Quarter will need to defer admission and begin the following Autumn Quarter. An MA student who begins Autumn Quarter, but cannot complete the quarter, must withdraw from the program.

The student’s program and the Dean of Students must approve all leaves of absence.

MA Extended Status
MA students who have completed their course registration requirements but have not graduated are placed in Extended Status for up to four consecutive quarters (including Summer). Students in Extended Status do not register for courses and do not meet requirements for student loan eligibility, student loan deferments, or international student program extensions. Students in Extended Status are not charged tuition or fees and may access libraries on campus.

Students who have not graduated at the end of four quarters of Extended Status will be withdrawn from the program. They must petition to complete their thesis and/or other degree requirements, subject to approval of the director of the master’s program and the Dean of Students of the Social Sciences Division.

The Division will not consider petitions from students more than ten years beyond their last course registration.