Graduate students’ reasons for taking an incomplete vary: progress on a paper could be going well, yet a few more months of work might allow rewriting or additional research; a paper might be enhanced by additional information or methodological expertise gained from an additional course or seminar; or an emergency may require immediate attention, necessitating more time to complete course requirements.
The first step in the process of taking an incomplete is to determine how much time will be needed to complete the work. The next is to consult your instructor about a completion plan. Consider the following: Is the plan realistic? Is it acceptable to the instructor? What other responsibilities will you have while trying to complete the work (generals, language exams, additional course work)? How many other incompletes do you have?
If the instructor agrees to grant the incomplete, you will have one term to finish the work. As soon as the work is graded, the instructor should inform the Registrar’s Office of the grade change.
If the work in not completed by the end of the following term, you must obtain an extension of the incomplete. To do so, you and the instructor must agree that extra time is necessary, and a date should be set for the completion of the work. Then, submit a petition for the extension to the GSAS Administrative Dean’s Office, Holyoke Center 350.
If the Dean’s Office approves the petition, it is then sent to the Registrar’s office, which keeps it on file. When you submit the completed work to the faculty member, he or she grades the work then notifies the Registrar’s Office of the grade change and the date the work was completed.
Occasionally students have several incompletes and must devise a plan to finish the work. We encourage students to discuss their circumstances with their advisors and the course instructors. Be realistic about your plan and set a reasonable time limit. If it has been more than six months since you took the course, be sure that you and the instructor agree upon the expectations.
If you are applying for grants or fellowships, incompletes may result in the application being considered in a less-than-favorable light. Try to finish course requirements during the term in which the course is taken or as quickly as possible once the course is finished.
Also, remember that each department or committee may have its own policy regarding incompletes and the student should inquire about that policy.
For assistance in establishing a plan for finishing incompletes, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , director of student services, at (617) 495-5005; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , assistant dean of student affairs, at (617) 496-5275; or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , dean for student affairs, (617) 496-6277.