1. All graduate students must be registered in each semester for the graduate program registration appropriate to their discipline (e.g., Linguistics 9000, Chemistry 9000 or, in the case of Medicine, Medicine 9900) until all academic requirements for the degree have been met, except during periods for which leaves of absence have been granted (see Leaves of Absence).

2. Students in course-based graduate programs must also be registered for a course every semester (or be working on a course for which they received an incomplete grade in an earlier semester). It is the student’s responsibility to inform the Head of the academic unit if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent them from registering for a course in a given semester. In such a case, the student should request a leave of absence, as outlined under Leaves of Absence, by the appropriate deadline. Students in course-based graduate programs who fail to register for a course for more than one semester per academic year may see their programs terminated due to lack of progress as outlined under Termination of a Graduate Program.

3. A student registered in a graduate diploma, Master's, Ph.D., or Psy.D. program may not concurrently pursue studies leading to any other degree without the prior approval of the Dean.

Students intending to withdraw from their program must inform the Dean of Graduate Studies in writing. Ceasing to participate in a course, dropping a course, or informing an instructor of the intent to drop a course does not constitute formal withdrawal from a graduate program. The period of withdrawal from a program without incurring liability for that semester's fees is three weeks after the first day of lectures in the semester in question, as stated in the University Diary. Requests received after the end of the regular registration period, and approved, will be charged an administration fee as indicated on the Financial and Administrative Services website.

1. Students will register for courses at the times indicated in the University Diary.

2. Students not admitted to a graduate program may enroll in graduate courses with the permission of the Head of the appropriate academic unit.

Note:

For interdisciplinary programs, the Head of the academic unit is the Dean or Director of the Faculty/School administering the program.

1. Within two weeks following the first day of lectures in any semester, as stated in the University Diary, a graduate student may, upon the approval of the appropriate Head of academic unit, add a course or courses to the student's registration for that semester.

2. Within eight weeks after the first day of lectures in any semester, as stated in the University Diary, a graduate student may, upon the approval of the appropriate Head of academic unit, drop a course or courses from the student's registration for that semester without prejudice.

3. After the period described in 2. above has expired, and up until the last day of lectures, any student who is prevented from completing a course by illness, bereavement or other acceptable cause, duly authenticated in writing may, upon the recommendation of the Head of the appropriate academic unit, drop that course without academic prejudice.

Notes:

1. For interdisciplinary programs, the Head of the academic unit is the Dean or Director of the Faculty/School administering the program.

2. A course cannot be dropped after the last day of lectures without the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

1. Each student in graduate studies shall spend such time in the program as decided by the academic unit of specialization and approved by the Dean, and be subject to the following minimum residency.

   1. Except where provided for elsewhere in this calendar, each student for a Master's Degree shall normally spend at least two semesters in residence as a graduate student at this University.

   2. Except where provided for elsewhere in this calendar, each student for a Ph.D. or Psy.D. shall normally spend at least three semesters in residence as a graduate student at this University.

   3. To be resident as a graduate student of this university a student must be registered as a graduate student at Memorial University of Newfoundland and participate in a community of learners and instructors (formally or informally) who are joined together by the practices and standards of a profession or an academic discipline. For most students this will involve taking courses or engaging in research while resident on campus. These attributes may, however, be found elsewhere and it is possible therefore that the residency requirement may be satisfied in an off campus location. In such cases the Dean of Graduate Studies must be satisfied that the attributes are met.

   4. Except where provided for elsewhere in this Calendar, each student for a graduate diploma shall normally spend at least one semester in residence as a graduate student at this University.

2. The maximum period of a graduate program shall be seven years beyond first registration.

1. A leave of absence is a period of time during which a student is not required to register; no fees are assessed; and the time granted is not counted in the maximum time period permitted for a graduate program (see Period of Study).

2. In the event that circumstances prevent a student from pursuing the program, the student may apply to the Dean of Graduate Studies for a leave of absence.

3. A student may normally apply for only one leave of absence during the student's program. The maximum leave of absence shall normally not exceed 12 months.

4. An application for leave will normally be made before the end of the registration period in the first semester for which leave is requested. Requests received after the end of the regular registration period, and approved, will be charged an administration fee as indicated on the Financial and Administrative Services website.

A student may apply for a leave of absence in the case of pregnancy/birth/adoption of a child. (Such leave will be considered separately from 3. above.)