Program Deadline and Program Hold

Once a student starts their program at APUS, they will have a set deadline for completing their program requirements. A student's program deadline begins with the start date of the first course in their program that they attend past the first week of the course. This date is called the initial enrollment date. If a student does not have their program conferred before the program deadline, APUS can issue a letter of program completion; however, students will not actually earn the degree or certificate.

Each program has an established program length:

• Doctorate Degree:  7 years

If students are less than 6 months away from their program deadline, they will be blocked from registration until they have met with their Department Chair to discuss a program completion plan.

Program Deadline Extensions

In some very special circumstances, students may request an extension of their program deadline. While the University takes every extension request under consideration, whether to grant or deny an extension is solely at the University’s discretion. Students should be sure to submit the request prior to reaching their program deadline.

• Students may only be granted an extension of up to 25% of their initial program length.

Students with questions pertaining to program deadline extensions should contact the Office of the Registrar at [email protected].

Program Hold

Students who need to stop out from their doctoral program may request a Program Hold by communicating with the Doctoral Success Coach and completing the Program Hold Request form. Students may request one or more Program Holds during the program,  but must still complete the program within the approved timeframe of 7 years. Students may return from a Program Hold by contacting the Doctoral Success Coach to initiate the return process.

A student's program deadline is not extended if they are on an approved Program Hold; students will have the same program deadline when they return from a Program Hold and may need to work with the Doctoral Success Coach if their program deadline is nearing or expired upon return.

Disenrollment

Students who exhaust their program hold time and/or exhaust their program deadline will be automatically disenrolled from the university.

Voluntary Disenrollment

If a student is an active doctoral student and no longer wants to pursue their education with the university, they should contact the Doctoral Success Coach at [email protected] to commence the process.

Uncertain on Withdrawing

Before a student takes steps to withdraw, their Doctoral Success Coach will discuss options for requesting course extension(s) or Program Holds. Because we serve students who are busy professionals, we understand that there may be times when circumstances make it challenging to complete coursework within the prescribed timeframe. If this happens, the student should contact their course instructor, Chair, or Doctoral Success Coach to discuss their situation.