We understand that completing our program within two semesters limits the total amount of courses some students wish to take. We also recognize there may be a necessity for some to fulfill any missing course requirements needed to graduate. Therefore, during your second semester, you will have the opportunity to petition for a third semester. We recommend you take advantage of this extra semester to enroll in more HSS and IS courses or other CIS courses. Most successful petitions are approved to students who have already completed, or are on track to complete 24-27 credits of the MPS requirements by the end of their second semester. 

To petition for a third semester, follow these steps:

  1. Review the policy below
  2. Fill out this petition form
  3. Fill out your course enrollment checklist
  4. Meet with MPS Director Gilly Leshed during her office hours to discuss the third-semester option. Bring both the completed petition form and course enrollment checklist.
  5. Return signed digital form to Barb Woske by the deadline.

Deadline

The deadline to apply for consideration for a third semester extension is due during the second semester of enrollment.

Fall 2020 Admits: Monday, February 8, 2021, at 12:00 pm (noon).

Spring 2021 Admits: Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 12:00 pm (noon).

These are hard deadlines. No exceptions.

Requirements

Students should be able to show that they have successfully completed or are on track to complete at least 24 MPS approved credits by the end of their second semester. 1000-3000 level courses and AUDIT courses cannot be counted toward these 24 credits. 

Students who apply and are approved to extend the MPS degree program for a third semester should plan to enroll in a minimum 12 credits, with the majority of their credits as MPS-approved credits or CIS-related courses.  For example, these courses are found within:

  • Information Science (INFO)
  • Computer Science (CS)
  • Statistical Sciences (STSCI)
  • Operations Research (ORIE) 

Students should enroll in these additional courses during pre-enrollment period and take them during their third semester for a letter grade only. Beyond the mandatory minimum 12 credits, students may enroll in additional non-MPS related courses, i.e. PE, music/art courses, 1000-3000 level for S/U. These types of courses will not count toward the MPS credit requirements. 

Students may not AUDIT any course during their third semester. There will be no exceptions to this requirement.

Students who do not follow these requirements will be dropped out of the program without graduating.

Costs for Third Semester

There are no prorated dollar amounts available for students who voluntarily request to extend their MPS degree program for a third semester.

If you opt to extend for a third semester, you must pay full-time tuition and fees for all three semesters.

Submitting a third semester extension request indicates that the student understands and agrees to pay full-time tuition rates and associated fees.

Submission of Third Semester Extension Requests

All requests require the submission of a completed third semester extension request form and a completed course enrollment checklist.

Completed request forms must be approved by the MPS Director Gilly Leshed and returned to the Graduate Program Coordinator, Barbara Woske.  

Incomplete request forms will not be considered.

Third semester extension requests submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Students must register for three consecutive semesters. Students will not be considered for a third semester if a voluntary Leave of Absence (LOA) was previously approved and taken.

Next Steps Following Third Semester Extension Request

Upon receipt of a completed third semester extension request form, a formal letter for the extension will be produced and sent to the Graduate School in Caldwell Hall (and to the student) so that the expected degree date may be changed.  

  • For example, the expected graduation date of a student who should be graduating after the standard 1-year / 2-semester program in May 2020, will be changed to a three-semester program with an expected graduation date of December 2020.

Students will then be able to (and should) participate in pre-enroll for next upcoming term.

U.S. Citizens

For U.S. Citizens, nothing additional will be required at this point.

International Students

International students will be required to visit the Office of Global Learning (ISSO) located in 300 Caldwell Hall to work out the details regarding extending their I-20. 

Students are solely responsible for making sure to apply for an extension of their I-20.

See Barbara Woske in Gates 110 for advisor signature.

Please be aware that additional Financial Certification documents will be required.