A leave of absence is a period during which students maintain their status but are entitled to none of the services of the university provided by the payment of tuition or fees. An application for a leave of absence may be filed at any time during the academic year for the following semester(s). A leave of absence may begin during a semester, provided the completed application for leave is filed with the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies before the end of the fourth class session. In this case, the entire semester is counted toward the leave. No tuition refund will be given except as provided by other existing regulations.
The total leave allowed by a student during their graduate program is two semesters, which need not be taken consecutively. Students desiring leaves of absence must complete a Leave of Absence form available from the appropriate Program Coordinator to complete leave arrangements. A return date will be agreed upon in advance and stated on the Leave of Absence form. A student who fails to return on the agreed date will be considered to have withdrawn from the university.
A leave of absence may be granted to any student complying with the School of Graduate Studies regulations. A leave of absence will be revoked if the student incurs an academic dismissal subsequent to the granting of the leave. Students on leave are fully responsible for returning on the agreed date. No reminders will be sent to the student. A leave of absence does not waive the mandatory six-year requirement. That is, all students requesting a leave of absence still must complete their program within six years of the date of acceptance.
Please note that students taking a leave of absence after the first class meeting will be subject to the standard refund policies of the university and will incur financial obligations. It is also strongly recommended that students using financial aid review the impact of taking a leave on their financial aid status and award with the Student Navigation Center.