Coursework extensions

Requests for extensions to submit coursework during the term are typically negotiated between students and their instructors directly.

If an extension is needed beyond the end of the term, then students need to petition the Committee on Standing for an official coursework extension. It’s important for students in such a situation to book an appointment with your academic advisor from the Student Services team.

The Committee on Standing convenes at the following time periods to consider each term’s petitions:

• Fall Term Petitions: Beginning of January
• Winter Term Petitions: Late May
• Summer Term Petitions: Beginning of September

Extension to Complete Coursework Form: Faculty of Information (FI) — Extension to Complete Coursework Form (PDF)

(NOTE: Your instructor must complete Section 2 on the form)

A written statement (maximum of 1 page) explaining:

• The extenuating circumstances that negatively impacted your ability to complete the coursework on time.
• How the extenuating circumstances were beyond your control.
• If the extenuating circumstances still persist, how you plan to overcome them to complete the outstanding coursework.

Any supporting documents:

• If you were negatively impacted by a medical situation, you are required to provide a Verification of Illness (PDF).
• If you are registered with Accessibility Services, provide a letter from your accessibility advisor.

Submit the above documents to Student Services through your academic advisor.

Legitimate reasons for an extension can be academic in nature (e.g., unexpected obstacles in conducting research) or non-academic (e.g., illness, personal). The Committee may or may not support a request for an extension. Generally, the Committee will only consider documented, extraordinary, unexpected circumstances as valid reasons for extending coursework into a subsequent term.

To have a legitimate request, the student needs to demonstrate that:

• They were in a situation that was unforeseeable and that was sufficiently serious to prevent them from completing the coursework on time.
• They would not be placing in jeopardy the normal and satisfactory completion of new course work, if their coursework extension request were approved. The Committee on Standing may determine that new course work should not be undertaken until the outstanding course work is completed, or that an extension should not be provided given the amount of new coursework the student may undertake.
• They have a reasonable chance of completing outstanding requirements within the time to be allotted.