Completion Time Limit 

All graduate coursework applied toward a master’s degree or graduate certificate must be completed within six (6) years of the date of degree or certificate conferral. Any course that is more than six years old at the time of conferral will be considered expired, will not apply toward degree requirements, and will be reflected as invalid on the student’s degree audit. 

This six-year limit applies to all coursework, including transfer credit. Students who do not complete their program within the six-year period may be required to repeat expired coursework or complete additional coursework to meet current program requirements. 

Students who are unable to maintain continuous enrollment may request consideration for an extension of up to 12 months on a case-by-case basis due to extenuating circumstances. Military personnel deployed during their studies may be granted an extension of up to 12 months, provided the extension does not exceed the duration of deployment as documented in official orders. Extensions are not automatic and must be approved by the Graduate School. For additional information, contact the Graduate School. 

Research Requirement 

All students pursuing a graduate degree must complete a minimum of three credit hours in an approved research course. Approved research courses are designated at the graduate program level. 

Application for Degree Conferral 

Graduate degree candidates must submit an Application for Graduation online through Warrior Web by the deadline published in the university calendar. Late applications will be accepted with a $20 late fee; however, students submitting after the late deadline will be eligible for degree conferral only. 

A non-refundable $50 graduation application processing fee is required at the time of submission. Students who do not meet graduation requirements in the semester for which they applied must submit a new application and pay the processing fee again. 

Application for a Graduate Certificate 

Candidates seeking an approved graduate-level certificate must submit both an Application for Graduate Certificate form and an Application for Certificate Conferral form by the specified deadline to formally receive the certificate online through Warrior Web. A non-refundable $30 processing fee is required when submitting the Application for Certificate Conferral form. 

Students who do not fulfill certificate requirements in the intended semester must reapply and pay the processing fee again. 

Financial Obligation for Graduating Students 

In accordance with Texas Education Code § 54.007(d), all financial obligations to the university must be settled by the end of the semester. Failure to do so will result in the withholding of the student’s diploma and a registration hold, which will prevent future enrollment and may prevent access to official transcripts. 

Additionally, Texas Education Code § 54.007(c) states, “a student who fails to make payment prior to the end of the semester may be denied credit for the work done that semester.”