The following rules govern all students who take the MA in English at Sam Houston State University:

1. To earn the MA, a student must have been accepted into the English Graduate Program in regular Admission status. The student must be recognized as a degree candidate by filing a Declaration of Major form after completing twelve to fifteen hours of coursework, including ENG 697. 
   
   
2. A student has six years to complete the MA degree from the date of initial enrollment for graduate credit. After the expiration of the time limit, courses from the first term will expire; courses will continue to expire each subsequent term. A student who returns to the program after the expiration date will have to retake the expired classes.
   
   In extenuating circumstances, a student may apply, in writing, to the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences for a one-semester extension beyond the six-year time limit. The student sends the written appeal first to the Director of Graduate Studies in English, who reviews the petition, attaches an explanatory cover letter, and forwards the appeal to the Dean. The Dean ultimately approves or denies the petition.
   
   
3. A student must be enrolled continuously in at least three credit hours. (Enrollment in one or both of the summer terms counts as continuous enrollment.) If the student withdraws from the program for a period of time, she or he must submit a Reinstatement Application to the Graduate Studies Office in order to enroll again in classes. The student is still bound to finish the degree within six years from the first term of enrollment. For further information about enrollment, see Enrollment Status.
   
   
4. A student must maintain good academic standing (3.0 average). For definitions and requirements, see Grades and Academic Standing.