All work for the master’s degrees must be completed within six calendar years from the date of credit for the first graduate course in the program. Doctoral degree course work in the sciences must be completed within eight calendar years from the date of credit for the first graduate course in the program. Doctoral degree course work in the Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program must be completed within seven years from the date of credit of the first graduate course in the program. Post-graduate certificate nursing programs must be completed within four years from the date of enrollment.  Prerequisite courses taken at the beginning of a planned program do not count in the time determination. Students may, under extraordinary circumstances, petition the Dean of the Graduate School for an extension. If a program is prolonged, courses taken at the beginning of the period may not be counted toward the required credits for the degree.