Master's Degree Program Progression

The grid below displays the program progression (full-time/continuing/additional session status) applicable to graduate students who are admitted to a Master’s degree and who remain registered/continuing in their program until degree requirements are completed.

Master's Program Level Term & Status Term & Status Term & Status Program Residency Status
Master's Year 1

Fall – Full-Time 

Winter - Full-time Summer - Continuing *Residency
Master's Year 2

Fall – Full-Time 

Winter - Additional Session Summer - Additional Session

*Residency

Continuing
Master's Year 3

Fall  –Additional Session

Winter - Additional Session Summer - Additional Session Time Limitation

Master’s thesis students are normally** required to pay a minimum of 3 full-time terms.

**Master’s non-thesis and some Master’s thesis programs have different residency requirements. Student should refer to the program requirements section of the eCalendar for the residency requirements of their program. If degree requirements are met prior to completion of the residency term (e.g., Master’s Year 2), fees for outstanding residency terms will be charged in the final term of registration.

Master’s thesis students who interrupt their studies and are readmitted to the same program will be charged fees equivalent to tuition and/or additional session fees owed for all unregistered terms up to the end of Master’s Year 3 (applicable to full-time students). In addition, students will be charged the applicable fees** for the term of readmission and any future terms of registration up to and including their term of graduation. Students who are readmitted after time limitation will not be assessed for unregistered terms but will be responsible for all applicable fees** as of the term of readmission.

For example:

If you were not registered for 3 terms and your last registration was the end of Master’s Year 2, upon readmission you will be charged additional session fees for 3 terms and the applicable fees** due for the term of readmission, and any future terms of registration up to and including your term of graduation.

If you were not registered for 3 terms and your last registration was the end of Master’s Year 3 (time limitation), upon readmission you will be charged additional session fees due for the term of readmission, and the applicable fees** for any future terms of registration up to and including your term of graduation.

Master's Degree Program Progression – Change of Program

Students in certain master’s programs can request to change their program option from thesis to non-thesis or non-thesis to thesis after completing at least one term in their program of admission. Upon transfer, their program progression is adjusted (see below). Students remain responsible for fulfilling all program and degree requirements applicable to the new program option.

  • Students who transfer from the non-thesis to thesis option following completion of less than 15 credits of coursework will be in Master’s Year 1 (Full-time 1st term)
  • Students who transfer from the non-thesis to thesis option following completion of 15 credits of coursework will advance to Master’s Year 1 (Full-Time – 2nd term)
  • Students who transfer from the non-thesis to thesis option following completion of less than 30 credits of coursework will be in Master’s Year 1 (Full-time 2nd term)
  • Students who transfer from the non-thesis to thesis option following completion of 30 credits of coursework will advance to Master’s Year 2 (Full-Time)
  • Students who transfer from the thesis to non-thesis option, will be required to fulfill all coursework required for the non-thesis option, will be in full-time or part-time status based on the number of credits they register for each term, and, will normally advance to Year 2 following completion of 30 credits of course work

*Residency refers to the number of terms (or years) students must be registered on a full-time basis to complete their program. Students are not permitted to graduate until they have fulfilled the residence requirement (or paid the corresponding fees) in their program.

** The applicable fees in your term of readmission will depend on whether you are being readmitted with a status of Thesis Full-Time or Thesis Additional Session, which depends on when you were last registered and how many terms you missed. You will be charged the tuition and/or additional session fee for that term, in addition to all of the fees of a regular student which include administrative fees, Student Services, Athletics and Recreation fees, society fees, and potentially health and dental insurance. Details can be found on the Student Accounts website.

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, McGill University.

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