Master's Program Policies

Maintaining Registration
Both full and part-time graduate students must maintain continuous registration during the period of their programs (maximum 5 years for magistral students). Registration must be maintained through all sessions, and even if all course work is complete, students should register for their thesis (CNPS 599).
Web registration opens in June for Fall - Winter registration and in mid-March for Spring and Summer registration. For Fall-Winter registration, you should register for both terms 1 and 2 courses on or after June 2. (Please check the UBC calendar for further information about registration).
The web address: https://ssc.adm.ubc.ca/sscportal/servlets/SRVSSCFramework

Students who are unable to register for courses they require should contact Student Information:
karen.yan@ubc.ca, Tel 604-822-6371

Program Duration
For both full-time and part-time students: the masters program must be completed within 5 years. Under exceptional circumstances, a student may apply for an extension from 4 to 12 months.

On Leave Status
Graduate students who wish, for personal, health or financial reasons, to take time out from their graduate programs, must apply for a formal Leave of Absence which must be recommended by the Department's Graduate Advisor and approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Formal Leaves of Absence are normally granted in the case of good reasons for no less than four months and normally begin in September, January or April. A student may be on leave for no more than one year in a masters program and or no more than two years in a doctoral program. The time so spent will not be counted as part of the limited time period allowed for completion of the degree program. At present a fee of $270 per annum is assessed for the leave.

Please Note: request of extension, or leave, or course waivers cannot be submitted through email. The Graduate Advisor needs hard copies of all relevant documents and cannot process email memos or requests because Faculty of Graduate Studies needs original documents.

Course Standing
Students are required to attain a minimum second class overall standing (65%-79%) in courses completed in a graduate program. No more than 6 credits of Pass standing (60%-64%) may be credited toward a graduate degree and failed courses cannot be credited toward a graduate program.

Retention Policy:
University regulations require that at least 60% must be obtained in any course taken in a Master's program for a student to be granted pass standing. However, only six credits of pass standing may be credited towards a Master's program; for all other courses credited to the program, at least 65% must be obtained. All courses core to a student's program must be completed with a grade of at least 65%. Students unable to meet these minimum requirements will be asked to withdraw from the program. The Department reserves the right to require a student to withdraw from a program of study if it considers the student to be unsuited to proceed with the study or practice of his or her discipline or field of study.

Program Advising :
When a student is admitted to a program, an advisor is assigned and a program of studies is sent to the student. Once a student begins courses, program advising is provided by the student's advisor. Formal changes to a program of studies must be made through the student's advisor who will recommend the change to the Graduate Advisor or in consultation with the Department Head. When a student is ready to begin a thesis, he/she can approach any full-time member of faculty to be a research supervisor. If a student finds the faculty member selected is unavailable, he/she should approach the Graduate Advisor or Department Head to consult regarding other options.