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UH Hilo Academic Policies | Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Time Limits for Completion of a Ph. D.

  • Graduate level courses may only be applied towards the degree requirements if taken within 10 years of the completion of the degree. (Credits used towards fulfillment of another degree may not be used.)

  • The maximum time a student may take to complete all requirements of a Ph.D. is 7 years from matriculation into the Ph.D. program, with a possible extension for extenuating circumstances not to exceed 10 years in total. A petition for extension will be submitted by the program to the Graduate Council, and if approved, the Graduate Council will forward approval of the extension to the VCRED.

An individual program may shorten the time limits, if desired and internally approved. Special exceptions to the limits, with the support of the program and Dean, would require Graduate Council approval.