Time Limits Regulation for Degree Completion

Admitted student to a graduate program in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics as "Regular Admission" who chooses to abandon the coursework/GTA responsibilities without proper justification must fulfill the program of study requirements within the Time limit for degree completion:

  • For completing a Ph.D. program the time limit is up to 5 years since admission; with some exceptions approved by the Graduate Coordinating Committee and the Department Head.
  • For completing a Master’s degree the time limit is up to 2 years since admission; with some exceptions approved by the Graduate Coordinating Committee and the Department Head.

Note: A student admitted to a graduate program in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics as "Regular Admission" who chooses to abandon the coursework/GTA responsibilities without proper justification may be subject to dismissal.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) Duration

To allocate the GTA's budget more efficiently and to be able to support more Ph.D. and Master's students, the "GTA's duration Rule" applies to all graduate students admitted as Regular Admission, and is defined as follows:

Time Limit:

  1. The duration of possessing a GTA position for a Ph.D. student shall be up to five academic years, renewable one semester at a time after the fourth year upon the recommendation of the Graduate Coordinating Committee and the Head's approval.
  2. The duration of possessing a GTA position for a Master's degree shall be up to two academic years, renewable one semester at a time after the second year upon the recommendation of the Graduate Coordinating Committee and Head's approval.

Apply for an Extension:

  1. A graduate student with a GTA position may submit a request for a one-semester extension of possessing GTA, using the "Request for Extension form" at the link below, if needed, under well-justified, extenuating circumstances, and the advisor's approval.
  2. To apply for a GTA extension, a graduate student shall submit the following documents to the Graduate Coordinating Committee before passing the time limit.
    1. A signed "Request For Extension Form" at https://www.grad.msstate.edu/files/Initial_Extension_Of_Time_Form_2018… (Needs to be revised when submitted)
    2. The letter of support from the Chair of the dissertation/thesis committee, which states a justification for the request and the specific steps necessary for the completion of the dissertation/thesis within the one-semester extension.
  3. In a rare circumstance, the graduate student may request an extension for the second time.  
  4. The request must be approved by the Graduate Coordinating Committee and the Head of the Department.

Note that:

  • A Request for Extension is considered for one academic semester past the time limit.
  • In case a student needs more than five years of financial support, the Head of the Department will make the decision.
  • The "GTA duration Rule" is an internal rule and subject to change; 
  • The Graduate Coordinator will notify the newly admitted students about the "GTA duration rules" on an advisory day.
  • The termination of GTA status does not mean the student cannot complete the program. It means they will not possess a GTA status.
  • The Chair of the Ph. D committee will submit the progress report on the status of the graduate student to the Graduate Coordinating Committee by the end of the fourth year.