To progress in the program, students must take a majority of the required courses prior to taking elective courses, since required courses are often prerequisites for electives. The scheduling of the required courses takes place as follows:
| Course Load | Term 1 | Term 2 |
| 5 courses / term | 9001, 9002, 9003, 9004, 9006 | 9005+, 4 electives* |
| 4 courses / term | 9001, 9002, 9003, 9006 | 9004, 9005+, 2 electives* |
| 3 courses / term | 9001 or 9002, 9003, 9006 | 9001 or 9002, 9004, 9005+ |
+ 9005 may be taken in Term 2 or any subsequent term in the program.
* To fulfill degree requirements, all students must successfully complete a designated technology course prior to graduation.
To proceed in the program, a student must complete the work in each course in the term in which it is offered unless a formal Incomplete has been arranged. If a formal Incomplete has been arranged, the student must complete the work by the agreed-upon date or risk failure in the course, thereby jeopardizing his/her ability to progress in the program.
To remain in good standing in the program, a student must achieve an overall average of 70% with no more than one course in the C range (60-69%) and no course below 60%. Students who do not meet progression requirements may appeal. Appeals procedures are described in the Appeals Guidelines on the FIMS Intranet.
Finally, to graduate from the program, a student must have successfully completed 15 courses and have achieved 70% or higher in each graduate course used as credit toward the degree. The sole exception to this is students who have a grade between 60-69 % in ONE course only (as noted above) are still eligible for graduation.