Minimum Enrollment Students must register for a minimum of three (3) graduate credit hours during any semester in which they use University of Georgia facilities or seek feedback, advising, or instruction from faculty or staff. This includes semesters in which students are completing coursework, preparing for or taking comprehensive exams, conducting dissertation research, or defending the dissertation. Continuous Enrollment Policy Graduate students must maintain continuous enrollment from the time of initial matriculation through the completion of the degree. Continuous enrollment is defined as registering for at least three (3) graduate credit hours in at least two semesters per academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer). Students must maintain continuous enrollment until the completion of their degree, or their status as a degree-seeking student will be terminated by the Graduate School. If that occurs, students must reapply for admission in order to continue in the program. Doctoral students must maintain enrollment during Fall and Spring semesters (breaking only for Summer semesters) until the residency requirement has been met (see below). Enrollment During Final Semester All students must be enrolled in at least three (3) graduate credit hours during the semester in which they complete all degree requirements, including the dissertation defense and submission of the final, approved dissertation to the Graduate School. Residence Credit Requirement Doctoral students must fulfill the Graduate School’s residency requirement, which is interpreted as 30 hours of consecutive graduate coursework that is included on the approved Program of Study. Time Limit for Completion Doctoral students must complete all requirements for the Ph.D. degree—including coursework, comprehensive examinations, admission to candidacy, dissertation research, and the final oral defense—within eight (8) years of their initial enrollment in the doctoral program. This eight-year limit is a firm maximum set by the Graduate School and includes all stages of doctoral progress, regardless of when a student is admitted to candidacy. If a student is unable to complete the degree within the eight-year window, they must submit a formal petition for an extension of time to the dean of the Graduate School. Petitions are not guaranteed and are granted only in exceptional circumstances. The petition must include: A clear explanation of the reasons for the delay; A detailed timeline for the completion of all remaining requirements; An approved advisory committee form (if applicable); An approved and up-to-date Program of Study; and Letters of support from both the major professor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their major professor and the Director of Graduate Studies well in advance of any deadlines to ensure timely progress and avoid the need for a petition. The maximum extension of the degree time limit is 24 months, and the total time to degree shall not exceed ten years, without exception. Note: The Graduate School does not accept departmental exceptions to the eight-year limit. Students who fail to complete the degree within this time frame and who do not receive an approved extension from the Graduate School will be required to reapply to the program and may be asked to retake comprehensive examinations or repeat coursework. For students who matriculated before Fall 2024, please see the relevant Graduate School Ph.D. Time Limit policy: https://policy.uga.edu/policies/#/programs/Hycl4UoKa. Leave of Absence Students who experience significant personal, medical, financial, or family-related challenges may request a leave of absence (LOA) that will exempt them temporarily from the continuous enrollment policy. A formal leave must be approved by both the Director of Graduate Studies and the Dean of the Graduate School. A leave of absence will be granted only for good cause, such as: Serious medical and health-related issues; Major financial and employment difficulties; Pregnancy, childbirth, or child/elder care responsibilities; Other significant personal circumstances that interfere with the ability to undertake graduate study. An approved leave of absence does not stop the eight-year doctoral time clock, except in cases involving pregnancy, childbirth, or adoption. In all other circumstances, time on leave counts toward any University, Graduate School, or program time limits pertaining to the degree being sought. Students are responsible for consulting the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate School website for procedures, documentation requirements, and eligibility criteria.
