Time Limit for Completion of the PhD Degree

Doctoral students are expected to complete all requirements for the PhD or DMA degree in seven years or fewer, depending on academic field and departmental policy. Beyond the seventh year, GSAS students are not eligible for housing in Columbia Residential, nor for any additional funding from GSAS or the Arts and Sciences.

Despite the expectation of completing the PhD in seven years or fewer, doctoral students may request additional semesters to complete the doctoral degree, during which time they are required to maintain full-time status via continuous registration. (Official leaves of absence stop the clock.)

PhD students in the Arts and Sciences who do not complete all requirements for the doctoral degree by May 31 of the seventh year of registration will be notified by GSAS in writing that they have reached the end of the timeline for a doctoral degree. If these students wish to continue in the PhD program, they will be informed that they may request an extension for one or two additional semesters of candidacy.

Students who wish to request an extension should submit to the advisor and DGS all dissertation chapters and materials produced to date, as well as a copy of a proposed timetable to distribute and defend the dissertation in one or two additional semesters of candidacy.*

The department’s role: After conferring with the advisor about the materials submitted, the DGS should email GSAS ([email protected], copying the advisor) with an evaluation of the materials received, and with a decision about whether to endorse as feasible the timetable provided.

GSAS will review the request and inform the student that a) they may continue as a degree candidate for one or two additional semesters to complete the PhD; or b) the faculty have determined that the student has not made adequate progress and will not be permitted to continue as a degree candidate. GSAS will send the confirmation message to the student and will copy the advisor and the DGS.

If the extension of time is approved, but the student does not complete all requirements for the doctoral degree by the stipulated date, the student will no longer be considered to be a doctoral degree candidate by GSAS. Exceptional circumstances may be considered via an appeal to the Dean.

*If the advisor is the DGS, the student should submit the materials to the dissertation committee and the DGS.

_{Updated per ECGSAS, December 12, 2025}