The Ten-Term Rule

Current Policy

The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) allows all U-M graduate students the eligibility to receive up to ten terms of LSA Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) support. This policy defines the student's eligibility to receive ten-terms of LSA GSI employment but does not guarantee or promise ten-terms of LSA GSI employment.

A term counts towards the Ten-Term Rule if:

• It is in the Fall or Winter semester (Term III: Spring/Summer is excluded)
• The position is a .25 fraction or greater.
• Smaller fraction positions of .2 or less are counted proportionally, based on the tuition waiver; e.g. Two successive .2 graderships add up to one term towards the ten-term rule. If two appointments are combined in one term to total .25 or greater, then that is treated as one regular term of GSI support.

Additional Information

• GSI support from any LSA unit counts toward the ten-term limit.
• Students in other U-M schools or colleges are also capped at ten-terms of LSA GSI support. 
• Appointing units should check a student’s record to ensure they have not met their ten-term limit.
• LSA GSI positions held by students during U-M master’s degree (excluding Bridge Masters programs) programs do count towards the ten-term limit if the student later enrolls in a doctoral degree program.

Exceptions

Exceptions to the Ten-Term Rule are rare.  Graduate programs, not individual students, must request an exception using The Ten-Term Rule - Exception Request form. The exception is reviewed by the Office of Graduate Education.  

Exceptions may be granted if, for example, a student faces a serious medical issue that delays progress, or if their dissertation hits an unforeseeable setback (like an advisor leaving the university). “Best available” or “only available” teaching assistant arguments won’t be persuasive, nor will excellent progress towards degree or mistaken departmental commitments.

Changes in Field:

If a student changes disciplines while pursuing a degree, the Office of Graduate Education will discuss the need to make an extension to the ten-term limit. 

Bridge Masters Program:

GSI positions held by students during a Bridge Masters program do not count toward the ten-term limit.

Background

The Ten-Term Rule, established in 1986, was designed to encourage timely Ph.D. completion by limiting graduate students’ reliance on teaching assistantships, which could delay progress and affect future employment. The rule promoted an ideal five-year financial aid structure to ensure students gain valuable teaching experience while progressing efficiently. The Ten-Term Rule was established to ensure new cohorts have access to financial and teaching opportunities, while preventing students from extending their time in graduate school unnecessarily.