Policy Rationale
Vermont State University (VTSU) recognizes that students deserve a meaningful education and students need varying amounts of time to complete their degrees. Factors that impact degree completion include student demographic such as age, employment and family responsibilities, transfer credits, and program modality. In addition, Federal policies for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) require that students in receipt of federal financial aid must complete their program within 150% of the published required credits of the educational program. This policy ensures students graduate with up-to-date knowledge while allowing some flexibility for unique situations, as well as ensuring that VTSU is compliant with Federal policies.
Policy
Students are encouraged to adhere to the requirements of the Catalog of the year of their enrollment in the university with continuous enrollment within the time limits for degree completion defined in this policy. Students are responsible for working with their faculty advisor to create a plan for degree completion in the event they are unable to complete their Catalog requirements within the defined time limits.
Time Limits for Degree Completion
The appropriate Catalog requirements must be completed within these timeframes; some additional restrictions may occur by Academic Program as defined in the Academic Catalog:
- Certificates: 2 years
- Associate degrees: 4 years
- Bachelor’s degrees: 6 years
If students do not complete their degree requirements within these time periods, they must follow the newest published Catalog requirements, which will be displayed in the student information system.
In the case of a discontinued program, students will be offered a teach-out plan to complete their graduation requirements within a specified period of time.
Students who need to take a Leave of Absence or a Voluntary/involuntary Medical or Mental Health Leave must follow the relevant policy and process for the leave itself and reenrollment to the University.
University-Sponsored Part-Time Programs
For university-sponsored part-time programs:
If students don’t finish in this time, they must follow the newest published Catalog requirements, which will be displayed in the student information system.
Procedure
- When a student’s Catalog expires, they should meet with their faculty advisor to explore their options for graduation, which could include updating their Catalog to the newest version or appealing to complete their original Catalog requirements.
- If a student wishes to appeal for an exception to this policy, to include maintaining their original Catalog requirements with course substitutions, they should follow Step 2 in the Procedures of the Academic Appeals & Complaints policy, which will route the appeal to the appropriate Dean of Schools.
- When a student requests an exception to the policy, the Dean of Schools will consult with Financial Aid, the Registrar, the Program Coordinator, the Department Chair, and any other relevant university partners to make a determination about whether a student can retain their current Catalog requirements. The Dean of Schools will communicate their decision in writing to students via their University email within 10 business days.
Responsibilities
Deans of Schools:
Program Coordinators:
Registrar:
Students:
Related Documents and Forms
Academic Appeal and Complaint Form
Exit/Leave of Absence Form
Related Policies
Academic Appeals & Complaints
Degree Requirements & Participation in Commencement
Exit or Leave of Absence from the University
Federal Financial Aid
Date of Last Approved Revision: March 2025
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