Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional School

Overview

Beginning in Fall 2027, the Graduate and Professional School will implement a new initiative designed to support student success and timely degree completion. This initiative focuses on identifying graduate students who have accumulated a high number of credit hours or terms without completing their degree and ensuring that they are receiving structured guidance to help them finish their programs.

Students who reach established thresholds will be required to complete a Graduate Degree Completion Plan in collaboration with their academic leadership.

Purpose

This initiative is meant to be supportive in nature and aims to help students successfully finish their programs.

The Graduate Degree Completion Plan is intended to:

  • Encourage timely progress toward degree completion
  • Identify and address barriers that may delay graduation
  • Strengthen communication between students, advisors, and academic leadership
  • Provide a clear, actionable path to degree completion

Who Is Affected

Students and their departments will be notified directly if they are required to submit a graduate degree completion plan.

Graduate students (master’s and doctoral) who exceed defined limits for:

  • Total graduate credit hours attempted, and/or
  • Number of academic terms enrolled in their graduate program

Graduate Degree Completion Plan Requirements

Students identified under this initiative must complete an online form via Adobe Sign.

The form will include the following components:

  • Expected Graduation TimelineA projected term and year for degree completion
  • Progress AssessmentA projected term and year for any remaining milestones
  • Barriers to CompletionAn explanation of factors contributing to extended time or excess credit hours
  • Action PlanSpecific steps the student will take to make progress toward graduation
  • Advisor InputGuidance and expectations provided by the student’s advisory committee

Required Approvals

All approvals will be collected electronically through Adobe Sign.

The completed Graduate Degree Completion Plan must be reviewed and approved by:

  • Chair of the Student’s Advisory Committee
  • Department Head (or departmental approver)
  • Graduate Dean of the Student’s College

Process


  1. Early Notification
    Students who are getting close to meeting the threshold criteria will receive an notification informing them of the upcoming requirements.
  2. Over Threshold Notification
    Students who meet the threshold criteria will receive an official notification
  3. Form Completion
    The student completes and submits the Graduate Degree Completion Plan in Adobe Sign
  4. Review and Signatures
    The chair of the student’s advisory committee and departmental/college administrators review the plan and provide approval
  5. Implementation
    The student follows the approved plan and works closely with their advisor
  6. Monitoring
    Students will be required to complete this plan ever semester until graduation.

Important Considerations

  • Failure to complete or follow an approved plan may result in additional academic review
  • Plans are intended to be realistic, achievable, and tailored to each student’s circumstances
  • Students are encouraged to work closely with their advisors and faculty throughout the process

Support Resources

Students are not expected to navigate this process alone. Support is available through:

  • Graduate advisors and faculty
  • College-level graduate offices
  • The Graduate and Professional School

Contact Information

For questions about the Graduate Degree Completion Plan initiative, please contact:

Trent Smith '20

Director, Records Processing Graduate and Professional School
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