Notice on the Special Extension of the Thesis Submission Deadline and Retroactive Application for Students Who Have Exceeded the Thesis Submission Deadline (Fall Semester, Academic Year 2026) (August 4(Tue)  ~ August 20(Thu), 2026)

Students who have completed all coursework but have exceeded the thesis submission deadline (hereinafter referred to as the "submission deadline") may apply for a special extension as outlined below. Students wishing to apply should carefully review the following information and submit their application within the designated period.

1. Eligibility

A. Students who have exceeded the thesis submission deadline

• Master's (Day Program): 7 years from the year of admission
• Master's (Evening Program) and Doctoral Programs: 11 years from the year of admission
• Integrated Master's–Doctoral Program: 12 years from the year of admission

Eligible applicants include:

1. Students intending to graduate by submitting a thesis or an individual research project.
2. Students intending to graduate by completing the required coursework credits.

Master's students must follow the degree completion method designated by their department.

B. Students eligible for retroactive application

Students who previously received a deadline extension but failed to submit their thesis within the approved extension period.

Beginning in the 2025 academic year, the extension period has been increased:

• Master's: from 3 semesters to 5 semesters
• Doctoral: from 4 semesters to 7 semesters

Students who applied for an extension before 2025 but did not complete their degree within the approved period may receive an additional extension of:

• 2 semesters (Master's)
• 3 semesters (Doctoral)

upon submitting the required application during the application period.

2. Extension Period

3. Application Period

August 4 (Tue) – August 20 (Thu), 2026

Late applications will not be accepted.

Submission Hours

• Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Lunch break: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Closed on weekends and public holidays.

Submission Office

Applications must be submitted to the administrative office of the applicant's graduate school.

Locations:

• Seoul Campus: Hongmun Hall, Room 521
• Graduate School of International Design: Yemun Hall, Room 209-1
• Graduate School of Performing Arts: Daehangno Education Building, Room 403-3
• Sejong Campus: Gaon Hall A, Room 211

4. Required Documents

• Completed application form (see attached template)

The application must include:

• Applicant's signature
• Thesis advisor's signature
• Department chair's signature

Please submit all pages of the application form.

5. Application Procedure

1. Complete the application form, obtain approval from the thesis advisor and department chair, and submit it to the graduate school office.
   • A change of thesis advisor is permitted.
2. Master's students should consult their academic advisor and choose one of the following degree completion methods, subject to departmental regulations:
   • Thesis
   • Individual Research Project
   • Coursework Credits
3. Any outstanding research registration fees must be paid in full before the application is considered complete.
   • Check outstanding balances via ClassNet.
   • For bank account information, contact 02-320-1293.
4. Master's students choosing the coursework option must complete at least 3 additional credits, even if they had already satisfied the graduation credit requirements before completing coursework.
   • Planned courses must be approved by both the thesis advisor and department chair.
   • Departments may deny approval according to their academic policies.

6-1. Important Notes

1. Once the extension is approved, students must complete their degree within:

   • 5 semesters (Master's)
   • 7 semesters (Doctoral)

2. No further extension or reapplication will be permitted if the degree is not completed within the approved period.

3. 
   

4. Students in general and professional graduate schools must retake and pass the comprehensive examination, even if they had passed it before the original thesis submission deadline.
   • Students in special graduate schools are exempt if they have already passed.
   • The foreign language examination does not need to be retaken.

5. Students must receive additional thesis supervision:

   • Master's: at least 1 semester
   • Doctoral: at least 2 semesters

6. Any thesis supervision completed before approval of the extension will not be counted.

   This requirement does not apply to students graduating through coursework credits.

7. Upon approval of the extension, students must pay one additional research registration fee.

   Expected payment period:
   September 11 (Fri) – September 16 (Wed), 2026

6-2. Notes for Retroactive Applicants

1. Students must complete their degree within:

   • 2 semesters (Master's)
   • 3 semesters (Doctoral)

2. after approval of the retroactive extension.

3. If the degree is not completed within the approved extension period, no further extension or reapplication will be permitted. 

4. If changing the thesis advisor, additional thesis supervision is required:

   • Master's: at least 1 semester
   • Doctoral: at least 2 semesters

5. This does not apply if the advisor change is due to retirement, leave of absence, or similar reasons.

6. Students who did not pass the comprehensive examination during their original extension period must retake and pass it during the additional extension period.
   • Not applicable to students in special graduate schools.

7. Applicants must pay one additional research registration fee.

   Expected payment period:
   September 11 (Fri) – September 16 (Wed), 2026

7. Tuition and Research Registration Fees

1. Any unpaid research registration fees must be paid in full before the application is accepted.
2. Upon approval of an extension or retroactive application, one additional research registration fee must be paid.

• Master's: KRW 120,000
• Doctoral: 10% of the semester tuition
• Graduate School of International Design (Master's and Doctoral): KRW 120,000

Students who need access to library resources or require a research student certificate during a semester when research registration fees are not billed may instead pay a Research Student Certificate Fee.

• Master's and Doctoral: KRW 120,000

3. Master's students graduating through coursework credits must pay tuition during the extended-semester registration period.

• Installment payments are not allowed.
•   2026학년도 2학기 개설강좌 조회(클릭)  

Expected registration period:

September 28 (Mon) – September 29 (Tue), 2026

Tuition:

• Up to 3 credits: 50% of the semester tuition
• More than 3 credits: Full semester tuition

8. Final Reminder

The special extension for the thesis submission deadline may be granted only once.

Students who fail to obtain their degree within the approved extension period (5 semesters for Master's or 7 semesters for Doctoral) will not be eligible for any further extension or reapplication.

9. Contact

Graduate School Academic Affairs Team

• Tel: 02-320-1293
• Email: lovemail@hongik.ac.kr

Attachments

1. Application Form for Special Extension of Thesis Submission Deadline
2. Application Form for Retroactive Extension
3. Department-specific Master's Degree Completion Methods (as of Fall Semester, Academic Year 2026)