Program and degree requirements

All requirements for the MA and PhD degrees in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies must normally be completed within the following time periods (beginning with the term of initial registration), as stipulated by the University Senate:

Master of Arts (MA) Coursework Option

• Full-time: 3 terms (1 year); Part-time: 9 terms (3 years) 

Master of Arts (MA) Thesis Option

• Full-time: 6 terms (2 years); Part-time: 12 terms (4 years) 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Full-time from Master’s level: 12 terms (4 years); Part-time: 24 terms (8 years)
• Full-time from BA level (i.e., fast tracking): 18 terms (6 years)

You are required to submit a Petition for Extension of Program Time Limit Form, Progress Report and transcript to the Recreation and Leisure Studies Graduate Program Manager. For the first 3 terms of extension, approval will be granted by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.

After these 3 terms, you will also require approval from the Faculty of Health, Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) and be required to submit a Detailed Plan for Completion of Degree Program document along with your extension application package. The progress report must be signed by you, your thesis supervisor and ALL committee members.

If the petition is not approved, you will be discontinued from your program. 

Students who fail to submit a petition form will be de-registered and will have a Required to Withdraw decision applied to their academic record and must reapply (to a future term) if they wish to continue their studies.

Petition submission and approval deadlines in departments are: 

• Fall – August 1
• Winter – December 1
• Spring – April 1