Students who have been awarded a master of philosophy degree may proceed directly toward the Ph.D. if they are admitted into the program and continue their registration. On the other hand, these students may elect to allow their registration to lapse for as long as four years without paying a restoral fee. To activate a lapsed registration, the student must submit an application for readmission to the Graduate School-New Brunswick at any time within the four-year window. With the program director's endorsement, readmission is automatic within the four years. (See Readmission in the Academic Policies and Procedures chapter.) After more than four years, holders of the master of philosophy degree may apply for readmission, but their graduate director may require them to take a refresher course or meet other requirements for readmission.