Special Circumstances Forms
Purpose: If a student is temporarily unable to continue in their graduate program due to significant issues (health, family, job, military duty, etc.), they may request a leave of absence from the program for up to one year. During this time, the student is not enrolled at WMU, which may impact access to resources. The leave of absence extend the degree time limit by the specified period.
Form Link: Leave of Absence Form
Routing Process:
- Student completes information in the Student portion
- Advisor or committee chair endorses request with their signature
- Department chair endorses request with their signature
- Student or department emails form to Graduate College (grad-info@wmich.edu)
- Graduate College dean reviews and approves
- Graduate College emails copy to Registrar’s Office
Final Destination: Registrar’s Office (registrar-info@wmich.edu)
Program Time Extension (AKA “Extension Request”)
Purpose: This form is required by the Registrar’s Office when a student has surpassed the maximum allowed time for their degree program. Master’s students must complete all degree requirements in six years, and doctoral students must complete the requirements in seven years. Any coursework used to meet degree requirements must be taken within this time limit, including transfer courses. Requests to use older coursework are made with this form, and the department must certify that the student has remained current in the material.
Form Link: Extension Request Form
Routing Process:
- Student completes information portion and Part 1
- Advisor or committee chair completes Part 2 and 3
- Advisor or committee chair circulates form for necessary signatures
- Departmental staff or advisor/committee chair emails form to Graduate College
Final Destination: Graduate College – Dissertations and Theses (grad-dissertation@wmich.edu)