Deadlines
Statutory Deadlines
Graduate Studies Bylaws (Res. 7493/2018)
The USP Graduate Studies Bylaws establish the absolute maximum deadlines for each course, counted from the first enrollment. These deadlines cannot be exceeded under any circumstances, even with extensions:
| Course | Maximum Statutory Deadline |
|---|---|
| Master’s | 48 months |
| Doctorate | 60 months |
| Direct Doctorate | 72 months |
Within these limits, each program establishes its own deadlines for deposit and qualification, which are typically shorter.
Deadline Suspensions
The Bylaws provide situations where deadline counting is suspended, meaning time is not counted against the student:
| Situation | Maximum Suspension | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity leave | up to 180 or 360 days | 180 days if already completed credits; 360 days if still taking courses |
| Paternity leave | up to 180 or 360 days | Same rules as maternity leave (Res. 8776/2025) |
| Leave of absence | up to 365 days | With justification and approval |
| Student representation | duration of term | In USP collegiate bodies, with minimum 50% attendance at meetings |
Deposit Deadlines
Program Regulation 2026
The maximum deadlines for dissertation or thesis deposit, counted from the first enrollment, are:
| Course | Deposit Deadline |
|---|---|
| Master’s | 24 months |
| Doctorate | 56 months |
| Direct Doctorate | 60 months |
Deadline Extension
In duly justified exceptional cases, students may request a deadline extension.
The request must be submitted to the CCP with:
- Detailed justification of the reasons for the delay
- Revised timeline for work completion
- Favorable opinion from the advisor
| Course | Maximum Extension |
|---|---|
| Master’s | 180 days (6 months) |
| Doctorate | 120 days (4 months) |
| Direct Doctorate | 180 days (6 months) |
Important: Even with the maximum extension, the total deadline cannot exceed the statutory limits (48, 60 or 72 months, depending on the course).
Program Regulation 2020
The maximum deadlines for dissertation or thesis deposit are:
| Course | Deposit Deadline |
|---|---|
| Master’s | 36 months |
| Doctorate | 56 months |
| Direct Doctorate | 68 months |
Deadline Extension
Qualification Deadlines
Program Regulation 2026
Registration for the qualification exam must be completed within the following deadlines, counted from the first enrollment:
| Course | Qualification Registration Deadline |
|---|---|
| Master’s | 10 months |
| Doctorate | 24 months |
| Direct Doctorate | 30 months |
After registration, the exam must be held within 60 days. Failure to take the exam within the deadline results in dismissal from the Program.
Program Regulation 2020
The deadlines for qualification exam registration are:
| Course | Qualification Registration Deadline |
|---|---|
| Master’s | 18 months |
| Doctorate | 24 months |
| Direct Doctorate | 30 months |
After registration, the exam must be held within 90 days. Failure to take the exam within the deadline results in dismissal from the Program.
English Proficiency Deadlines
Program Regulation 2026
Proof of English language proficiency is a mandatory requirement for registration in the qualification exam. Therefore, the deadlines for proof coincide with the qualification registration deadlines:
| Course | Proficiency Proof Deadline |
|---|---|
| Master’s | 10 months |
| Doctorate | 24 months |
| Direct Doctorate | 30 months |
Note: Proficiency is not required for Program admission, allowing the student time to prepare and obtain certification during the first year of the course.
Program Regulation 2020
Proficiency must be proven by the following deadlines:
| Course | Proficiency Proof Deadline |
|---|---|
| Master’s | 18 months |
| Doctorate | 24 months |
| Direct Doctorate | 30 months |
Co-advising Deadlines
Program Regulation 2026
The request for co-advisor accreditation must be made within the following deadlines:
| Course | Co-advising Request Deadline |
|---|---|
| Master’s | 12 months |
| Doctorate | 24 months |
| Direct Doctorate | 24 months |
After this deadline, co-advising will only be authorized in exceptional cases, with justification approved by the CCP.
Program Regulation 2020
| Course | Co-advising Request Deadline |
|---|---|
| Master’s | 28 months |
| Doctorate | 44 months |
| Direct Doctorate | 54 months |
Other Important Deadlines
Program Regulation 2026
| Activity | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Research plan submission | 60 days after first enrollment | Mandatory document; non-submission results in dismissal |
| Assessor appointment | Together with research plan (60 days) | By CCP, from advisor’s list |
| Annual report submission | According to CCP or funding agency calendar | Mandatory for all students |
| New report after rejection | 30 days after result announcement | In case of rejected report |
Program Regulation 2020
All students already enrolled will have until April 9, 2026 to register the research plan and assessor list in Sabiá. The Program will no longer use the SIAD system, but the project can be the same one submitted there.
| Activity | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Research plan + assessor list | April 9, 2026 | Extended deadline for Sabiá registration |
| Annual report submission | According to CCP calendar | Mandatory for all students |
| New report after rejection | 30 days after result announcement | In case of rejected report |
Comparative Deadline Summary
Regulation 2026
| Stage | Master’s | Doctorate | Direct Doctorate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research plan | 60 days | 60 days | 60 days |
| Assessor appointment | 60 days | 60 days | 60 days |
| English proficiency | 10 months | 24 months | 30 months |
| Qualification (registration) | 10 months | 24 months | 30 months |
| Co-advising (request by) | 12 months | 24 months | 24 months |
| Deposit | 24 months | 56 months | 60 months |
| Maximum extension | +180 days | +120 days | +180 days |
| Statutory limit | 48 months | 60 months | 72 months |
Regulation 2020
| Stage | Master’s | Doctorate | Direct Doctorate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research plan + assessor | April 9, 2026 | April 9, 2026 | April 9, 2026 |
| English proficiency | 18 months | 24 months | 30 months |
| Qualification (registration) | 18 months | 24 months | 30 months |
| Co-advising (request by) | 28 months | 44 months | 54 months |
| Deposit | 36 months | 56 months | 68 months |
| Maximum extension | +4 months | +4 months | +4 months |
| Statutory limit | 48 months | 60 months | 72 months |
Note: The 60-day deadline for research plan has been extended to April 9, 2026 for registration in Sabiá.