Full-Time Vs Flex-Time

Standard Full-Time Period of Study

Students in a Master's program are expected to complete all requirements within six terms (2 years) of continuous full-time registration.

Students in a PhD program are expected to complete all requirements within 12 terms (4 years) of continuous full-time registration.

Flex-Time Period of Study

The Flex-time option is only available to students in the following programs:

  • Master of Education
  • Master of Health Sciences
  • Master of Arts in History
  • Master of Science in Management*
  • Master of Nursing - Advanced Practice Specialization
  • Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner Specialization
  • Master of Public Health** 
  • Master of Public Health with Specialization in Nursing** and;
  • PhD in Health Sciences

Students in a flexible full-time Master's program are expected to complete all requirements within twelve terms (4 years) of continuous full-time registration.

  • Six (6) terms (2 years) of continuous full-time registration;
  • Up to six (6) additional terms of continuous registration, during which no fees are required.
  • *An exception to this is the Master of Science in Management program in which students are expected to complete all requirements within six consecutive terms (two years) as follows: Three terms of continuous full-time registration. Followed by up to three additional terms of continuous registration, during which no fees are required.
  • **Students in the Master of Public Health program may only complete the program in 3 years if the schedule and timetable allow

Doctoral students in the Flex-time PhD in Health Sciences program are expected to complete all requirements within 24 terms (8 years) as follows:

  • Twelve (12) terms (4 years) of continuous full-time registration;
  • Up to twelve (12) additional terms of continuous registration, during which no fees are required.

As the flex time option is intended for working professionals, students will not  be considered for financial support from the University, but are eligible to apply for and receive Tri-Council (i.e., CIHR, SSHRC, and NSERC) and Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) funding within the first twelve terms of their program. Note that students will not be permitted to change from the Standard Option to the Flex Option, and vice versa.

Master Level Co-operative Programs

For co-op students in a Master's program, the duration of the co-op placement will be added to the time limits of the Standard Full-Time Period of Study.