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The School of Graduate Studies and Research has developed a policy to allow graduate students to request time off from their academic studies for necessary medical care for a physical or emotional/psychological illness, to care for a family member, or bereavement for a spouse or child.
Policy
Students who find it necessary to take a temporary break in their academic studies for a documented medical reason or need to provide care for a family member can request a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) or Family Leave of Absence (FLOA) through their Program Coordinator. The student must provide appropriate documentation in either case. Once a student receives approval for the leave of absence from the School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR), their time-to-degree will be suspended until they return to their program. Leaves of absence can be granted for up to one year at a time. If additional time is needed, it must be requested prior to the end of the approved leave.
Graduate students are not required to register for courses or extended thesis or dissertation credits during the established period of the leave of absence. All current university policies will be enforced regarding university total withdrawal as it concerns tuition and fee billing, financial aid, etc. Retroactive leave requests are not allowed and will not be considered.
Medical Leave of Absence
A Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) allows a graduate student to request time off or withdraw from all courses in which they are currently enrolled in order to receive necessary medical care for a physical or emotional/psychological illness. Supporting medical documentation is required from a medical or mental health provider, indicating the anticipated amount of time off and date of return. This information should be provided to the Assistant/Associate Dean for Administration in the SGSR.
Family Leave of Absence
Family Leave of Absence (FLOA) allows a graduate student to request time off or withdraw from all courses in which they are currently enrolled in order to provide care and support for a family member. Supporting documentation is required from the family member’s care provider, indicating the anticipated amount of time off and date of return. In the case of the bereavement time for a spouse or child, documentation that verifies the death (e.g., a funeral program, death notice, obituary, etc.) and the nature of the student’s relationship to the deceased will be required. This information should be provided to the Assistant/Associate Dean for Administration in the SGSR.
Process to request a leave of absence
Graduate students needing to request a medical or family leave of absence must do so through their Program Coordinator. The student must communicate with the Program Coordinator the anticipated amount of time off and return. The Program Coordinator must notify the Assistant/Associate Dean for Administration in the School of Graduate Studies and Research in writing that the student is requesting a leave of absence, including the anticipated period of time away from their studies.
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