Small departments (more commonly found at small colleges) may only have the resources to offer certain courses (which may include major requirements) only once every two years. This gives students in the major one chance to take the course during their last two years. This means that, if such a course is required for the major, the student must take it when offered. If a student skips it for typical reasons like:
- want to do study abroad that semester
- conflicts with an elective offered at the same time
- conflicts with extracurricular activities
- conflicts with paid work needed to afford school
- is offered at an undesired-by-the-student time like 8am or Friday at 5pm
then the student will graduate late due to having to wait for the next offering of the course.
Additionally, if the course is a prerequisite for other required courses, that can induce additional delays to graduation.