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Master's degree students must enroll for a minimum of 2 credits every fall and spring semester until they complete all degree requirements (Chapter 5.A.2). If they cannot enroll, they must obtain approved graduate leave (Chapter 5.A.6) or internship leave status (Chapter 5.A.7). Students who fail to enroll or secure approved leave for up to two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) are considered to have an unapproved absence. They may reenroll by paying a non-refundable processing fee and obtaining departmental approval, which is not guaranteed (Chapter 5.A.3). However, students with unapproved absences for three consecutive semesters (excluding summer) will be discontinued from the Graduate School and must reapply to the university and be accepted by the program to resume their studies (Chapter 5.A.4).

b. Doctoral Students

Doctoral enrollment requirements vary based on whether a student has passed their preliminary exam.

i. Prior to

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Preliminary Exams

Doctoral students must enroll for a minimum of 2 credits every fall and spring semester until they complete all degree requirements (Chapter 5.A.2). If they cannot enroll, they must obtain approved graduate leave (Chapter 5.A.6) or internship leave status (Chapter 5.A.7). Doctoral students who fail to enroll or secure approved leave for up to two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) are considered to have an unapproved absence. They may reenroll by paying a non-refundable processing fee and obtaining departmental approval, which is not guaranteed (Chapter 5.A.3). However, students with unapproved absences for three consecutive semesters (excluding summer) will be discontinued from the Graduate School and must reapply to the university and be accepted by the program to resume their studies (Chapter 5.A.4).

ii. After

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Successfully Completing Preliminary Exams

Doctoral students must continue enrolling for research credits each semester until they defend their degree. There is a four-year time limitation from the preliminary exam date to degree completion. Students who have taken their preliminary examsexam, have met all their program requirements except completion of their dissertation, and do not have the funding to register for two or more research credits will be placed into Continuous Doctoral Status for a limited number of semesters. Students in Continuous Doctoral Status will be charged a $50/semester administrative fee and will have limited access to university resources. See Chapter 5.A.2 for detailed information about Continuous Doctoral Status.

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• • Students in CDS are not enrolled for credit, which may affect their financial aid, federal loan requirements, and immigration status. International students must consult with the Office of International Programs before entering CDS.
  • Doctoral students in CDS are charged a $50 administrative fee each semester, granting them limited access to academic resources and university libraries. They may apply for WSU campus health services for up to one year by paying a health fee at the beginning of each semester.
  • Doctoral students who enroll for at least two credits will not have to pay the CDS fee for that semester. The $50 administrative fee will offset tuition costs.
  • Students in CDS do not need to complete a Request for Reenrollment form or pay a reenrollment re-enrollment fee to register for two credits to defend. They may need to contact the Graduate School to activate their enrollment status.
  • Students who opt out of CDS will be dismissed from the Graduate School. Readmission requires reapplying to the Graduate School and their program and is not guaranteed.
  • Failure to pay the $50 administrative fee for two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) may result in the student being dismissed by the Graduate School. Readmission will require payment of the unpaid administrative fees.
  • CDS may be waived for medical reasons, military service, Peace Corps service, or required internship leave. This period of leave from CDS is considered official leave, and the appropriate documentation must be submitted and approved in advance of the semester the student wishes to be on leave (Chapter 5.A.6, Official Leaves of Absence and Chapter 5.A.7, Internship Leave). Graduate leave does not extend the time limitations to complete the doctoral degree (Chapter 6.E).
  • CDS is included in the time limitations for completing a doctoral degree. Students have four calendar years from the date of successful completion of the preliminary exam to complete their degree (Chapter 6.E). They may be in CDS for a maximum of 7 semesters (excluding summer sessions) during this 4-year period. After seven semesters in CDS, students must enroll for two credits and defend their dissertation to complete their program. Students cannot be on CDS during extension periods. Those with approved extensions must follow specific enrollment requirements, which include a minimum of 2 research credits during one semester of their first extension and continuous enrollment in a minimum of 2 research credits during the fall and spring semesters of their second or third extensions (unless they complete their degree before the extension expires). Non-compliance with the CDS policy may result in dismissal from the program.

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While degree-seeking graduate students typically enroll in credits every semester until degree completion, circumstances may prevent them from doing so. These circumstances may include illness, family issues, financial need, work, or other obligations. The exceptions to continuous enrollment outlined in this section address situations in which a degree-seeking student must be away from their studies and cannot enroll for credits. In such cases, students must complete the appropriate graduate leave or internship leave paperwork, obtain approval from their faculty advisor and the chair or director of their graduate program, department, or school, and submit the paperwork to the Graduate School before the semester they will be away. It is important to note that official leaves of absence, internship leave status, and unapproved absences are included in the time limits for degree completion.

i. Graduate Leave of Absence

Graduate Leave of Absence. Degree-seeking students in active status and good academic standing who must be away from campus for reasons such as medical issues, family obligations, job obligations, military service, or Peace Corps service, and who cannot maintain continuous enrollment in any given semester may apply for an official graduate leave of absence. Additional information and procedures can be found in Chapter 5.A.6. Doctoral students in CDS status may only be granted graduate leave for medical reasons, military service, or Peace Corps service. Students approved for graduate leave while in CDS status will not be charged the $50 administrative fee.

ii. Internship Leave

Internship Leave. Degree-seeking students who wish to pursue an internship approved by their program and do not need to register for credits during the internship period may apply for internship leave status. Information and procedures related to internship leave can be found in Chapter 5.A.7. Doctoral students in CDS status may only be granted internship leave if it is required by their program. Students approved for internship leave while in CDS status will not be charged the $50 administrative fee.

3. Reenrollment for a Degree-Seeking Student

A degree-seeking graduate student (who is not in CDS) who fails to maintain continuous enrollment or is not on approved graduate leave or internship leave status and is absent for one semester (excluding summer) must complete the Request for Reenrollment form before they can register for classes. The reenrollment process incurs a nonrefundable non-refundable processing fee because the student is returning from an unapproved absence. As part of the reenrollment process, students must list any university-level coursework taken since their last enrollment at WSU. It is important to note that reenrollment also requires departmental approval and is not guaranteed.

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The leave must be approved by the student's advisory committee chair, the chair or director of the graduate program, department, or school, International Programs (for international F-1/J-1 students only), and the dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate and professional education. A student may be on graduate leave for up to one calendar year during their studies but leave time may be extended for special circumstances (e.g., military and Peace Corps service) at the program's recommendation and the Graduate School's approval. Graduate leave beyond one calendar year during a student's studies is not guaranteed.

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• • Faculty and other mentors must work with graduate students to create a written Parental Leave Academic Plan with fair and appropriate alternative arrangements.
  • The Plan must be approved by the student's course instructors (if applicable) and the major advisor.
  • Students should alert their chair or director of the graduate program, department, or school and faculty advisor as soon as they know of the need for leave to arrange necessary academic accommodations.
  • Students should meet with their faculty advisor no less than ten weeks before the proposed leave start date to develop their academic work plan.
  • The agreed-upon plan should be attached to the Short-term Pregnancy/Parental Leave form for Graduate School submission.
  • Consult the Access Center Student Accommodations and Disability Resources for any medical issues requiring reasonable academic accommodation.
  • Graduate assistants are not required to perform duties during leave but may maintain mutually agreed-upon involvement with their advisor.

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• • This type of leave does not cover medical situations or complications due to childbirth. Rather, students should refer to Medical Leave, above.
  • For planned absences of an entire semester or more, graduate students should apply for an official leave of absence from their studies.

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• To be eligible for internship leave, a graduate student must be approved for an internship by the student's advisory committee chair. The graduate student does not have to register for credit for the internship unless required by the program.
• The student must have registered for and completed at least one semester as a graduate student at WSU before going on internship leave. Graduate students can apply for internship leave by completing the Internship Leave Approval form and submitting it to the dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate and professional education one semester before the internship.
• International students must consult with the Office of International Programs regarding employment eligibility. Internship leave through the Graduate School does not constitute employment authorization for immigration purposes.