University Leave
Leave of Absence
Students who wish to continue in a degree program but cannot study in a particular semester, session, or year must take a leave of absence with the approval of their academic advisor and the Graduate School. Students must complete a Leave of Absence Request form and present it to their program director and the Graduate School for approval. The Graduate School notifies students of leave approvals and the terms of re-enrollment. While there is no limit to the number of times a student may request a leave of absence, leaves do not extend the time required to complete degree requirements. Leaves of absence are not required for the summer term and are not required of nondegree/coursework-only students.
A student who is in academic jeopardy (academic probation) or who is otherwise not making satisfactory progress toward their degree – and who is granted an approved leave of absence – may be subject to additional review and modified terms of enrollment upon their return.
Withdrawing From the Graduate School
Once admitted to a graduate program, students are obligated to continue their course of studies. Students who desire or need to cease pursuing their degrees after registration and after the start of the term must submit a notice of withdrawal from the University, bearing the proper (program/department) signatures, to the Graduate School. The date used in computing a refund is the filing date of the document for withdrawal. Students who withdraw from all courses in a term will receive a W on their transcript for all course enrolled during the term. Students who withdraw during a semester and DO NOT file an application for withdrawal receive marks of failure in all courses and forfeit the right to any refund that they would otherwise receive. Students seeking to re-enter graduate study after withdrawal must reapply for admission and compete with a new entering class.
Administrative Withdrawal From the Graduate School
All graduate school students are expected to continuously enroll and to participate fully in their graduate courses. Once admitted to a graduate program, each student has the obligation to continue a course of study and must register every semester in the academic year (fall and spring semesters) unless on an approved leave of absence. Failure to comply with the requirement to register every semester will be taken as evidence that the student has terminated their program and admission status in the Graduate School. The Graduate School will withdraw you from the program. The student will need to re-apply to the program.
If a student does not participate during the first two weeks of class during the summer, Fall A, Fall B, Spring A or Spring B term, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the course.
Refunds
The School of Graduate Studies refund schedule is maintained by the office of the registrar. More information can be found here: Withdrawing and Refunds - Office of the Registrar
Reinstatement
Students who “stop out” — that is, leave their studies for a period of time without formally withdrawing or taking an approved leave of absence — must request to be reinstated as returning students. The request may be made directly to the program/ department for review, with accompanying notification to the Graduate School. A student who has been away from studies (i.e., no active enrollment or registration) for more than two years must appeal for reinstatement to the student’s program and the Graduate School. This request must be made in writing and addressed to the program director and the Graduate School.
Depending upon the student’s academic standing at the time of departure and/or the length of departure, the student may be required to reapply and compete with a new entering class. The department is under no obligation to readmit the student. For students reinstated, a reassessment of the relevancy and applicability of prior courses toward the degree may be undertaken. Students in graduate studies in the School of Nursing must comply with its Policy on Students Who Stop-Out.