Time Limit for Degrees
Policy Statement: To communicate the amount of time students have to complete their degree program.
Reasons for Policy: To ensure clarity around timelines to complete degrees.
Who Should Review This Policy: All School of Nursing faculty, instructors, students and staff.
Definitions: None
The Policy:
Baccalaureate Programs
Traditional Program and R.N. to B.S. in Nursing Program
The time limit for completion of degree requirements is seven years. Two additional semesters, one semester at a time, may be added with the permission of Rutgers School of Nursing.
Second-Degree Program
The time limit for completion of degree requirements for the full-time program is two years or six semesters. Additional time to complete the degree may be added with the permission of the Entry to Baccalaureate Nursing Division Administration/Committee.
Blackwood 2 +2 Nursing Program
The time limit for completion of degree requirements is four years. Two additional semesters, one semester at a time, may be added with the permission of Rutgers School of Nursing.
Should a student withdraw or take a leave of absence, the date by which the degree must be completed does not change. In other words, the leave of absence is included in (i.e., counts towards) the time limit.
Graduate Programs
Advanced Nursing Practice students are expected to be continuously registered every semester (fall, spring, summer) from the date of matriculation. The time limit for completion of degree requirements:
B.S. to M.S.N. degree must be completed within five years
M.S.N. to D.N.P. degree must be completed within five years
B.S. to D.N.P. degree must be completed within six years
Post-Master's certificate programs must be completed within four years
Additional time to complete the degree may be added with the permission of the Advanced Nursing Programs Committee.
The Ph.D. in nursing degree must be completed:
Full-time students: within seven years
Part-time students: within eight years
Additional information for Ph.D. in nursing students:
Any approved leave of absence does not count toward the time limit
An extension of time (EOT) request for up to one year may be granted upon review and approval of both the Ph.D. in Nursing Program and the School of Graduate Studies.
Students must follow the policies of the School of Graduate Studies.