Coursework Extensions

Updated October 1, 2024

Coursework for MSW students at FIFSW includes, course assignments, the OSCEs and field practicum requirements. For PhD students, coursework extensions also apply to course assignments, the Comprehensive Exam and the thesis. Academic considerations or accommodations can be applied to all of these types of coursework. 

The University’s Assessment and Grading Practices Policy sets out that instructors are not obliged to accept late work except where there are legitimate, documented reasons beyond a student’s control. The first step of any request for a coursework extension is for the student to communicate with the instructor or supervisor about the extension request in advance of assignment due date and agree upon the extension length. Given the review by the graduate unit, the extension request can be either approved or rejected. Coursework extensions can be requested for both academic accommodation (i.e. disability related) and academic consideration (e.g. non-disability related) as follows: 

1. Non-disability medical-related reasons: sudden/acute/temporary illness; emergency situation. Complete the Student Illness or Injury Form.
2. Non-disability non-medical reasons: religious observance; other extenuating circumstances (e.g. family crisis, trauma, grief, or other distress related to personal or humanitarian crises) 
3. Disability related reasons: accommodations approved by Accessibility Services 

For Extension Requests WITHIN the Academic Session (before final grade deadline) 

With instructor agreement of an extension, the student completes the Online Coursework Extension Form. Documentations required: 

1. Statement of impact of situation, including relevant circumstances or events, severity and how they interfered with the student’s capacity to attend to academic work including practicum requirements (e.g. mild, moderate, serious, severe), and relevant dates. 
2. Disability related reasons: students registered with Accessibility Services are encouraged to provide a Letter of Accommodation a week before the original due date to approve up to a one-week extension on assignments. If there is a disability-related rationale for an extension beyond one week on file, please connect with your Accessibility Advisor to discuss the process and communication re: the request. 

For First Extension Requests BEYOND the Final Grade Deadline 

Students requesting a coursework extension beyond an academic session (after the deadline date when course grades are submitted to SGS) are required to complete an School of Graduate Studies Extension to Complete Coursework Form. This form must be filled out by the student, signed by the instructor, and approved by the MSW or PhD Program Director prior to being sent for SGS approval. If you are registered with Accessibility Services and the request is disability-related, please connect with your Accessibility Advisor to discuss the process and communication re: the request. 

1. Student fills out page 1 (including section 1) of the Extension to Complete Coursework Form
2. Student submits the form to their instructor or supervisor who fills out and signs section 2 of the form 
3. Instructor or supervisor submits the form to MSW or PhD Program Director for approval 

Please note that late assignment penalties will apply to assignments that are handed in late without having received coursework extension approval. These are noted in the course syllabus. 

Contact the Academic Success Centre for skill building around time management, procrastination, and perfectionism, as well as preparing for specific kinds of academic tasks/assignments including group work, reducing/managing distraction, balancing academic/practicum work with life responsibilities and treatment, etc. 

For Subsequent Extension(s) Requests BEYOND the Academic Session 

Students requesting a coursework extension beyond an academic session (after the deadline date when course grades are submitted to SGS) are required to complete a School of Graduate Studies Extension to Complete Coursework Form. This form must be filled out by the student, signed by the instructor, and approved by the MSW or PhD Program Director prior to being sent for SGS approval. If you are registered with Accessibility Services and the request is disability-related, please connect with your Accessibility Advisor to discuss the process and communication re: the request. 

1. Student fills out page 1 (including section 1) of the Extension to Complete Coursework Form 
2. Student submits the form to their instructor who fills out and signs section 2 of the form 
3. Instructor submits the form to MSW or PhD Program Director for approval 

Please note that late assignment penalties will apply to assignments that are handed in late without having received coursework extension approval. These are noted in the course syllabus. 

Documentations required: 

1. Non-disability related health reasons: Student need to provide  A Verification of Illness  (VOI: also known as a “doctor’s note”). 
2. Non-disability non-medical reason: statement of impact of situation, including relevant circumstances or events, severity and how they interfered with the student’s capacity to attend to academic work (e.g. mild, moderate, serious, severe), and relevant dates. 
3. Disability related reasons: students registered with Accessibility Services are encouraged to provide a Letter of Accommodation a week before the original due date to approve up to a one-week extension on assignments. If there is a disability-related rationale for an extension beyond one week on file, please connect with your Accessibility Advisor to discuss the process and communication re: the request. 

For more details, see SGS coursework extensions. Contact the Academic Success Centre for skill building around time management, procrastination and perfectionism, as well as preparing for specific kinds of academic tasks/assignments including group work, reducing/managing distraction, balancing academic/practicum work with life responsibilities and treatment, etc.