Leave of Absence Policy

Students enrolled in the MD Degree curriculum of the School of Medicine may request a leave of absence for a period of up to one calendar year at any time. All requests for leave of absence will be presented to and reviewed by the Committee on Academic and Professional Standards who will then recommend to the Dean the terms under which the student may return to the curriculum. Following one calendar year, a student in need of more time in recess from the curriculum is officially withdrawn from the curriculum. Students may reapply for admission through the Committee on Admissions, unless an extension is granted by the Committee on Academic and Professional Standards (CAPS) because of special circumstances.

There are several categories of leave of absence under which a student may petition for a recess from the curriculum:

Medical LOA:

This type of LOA is reserved for acute medical problems of a physical or mental health nature affecting the student or a first degree relative requiring intense medical care. In order to return to the curriculum, the student will at the minimum require a release from the treating physician clearly stating that they are fit to return to the rigors of the MD degree curriculum.

Personal LOA:

This type of LOA is used for reasons of a personal nature affecting the student's ability to be successful in the curriculum. These may include but not be limited to requests regarding family related issues unrelated to health.

Academic LOA:

This type of LOA is reserved for students who desire a recess from the curriculum while currently unsatisfactory in a course prior to the issue of a final evaluation in that course. Students should be aware that their ability to return to the curriculum may not be approved by the Committee on Academic and Professional Standards based upon a complete review of the entire academic record. Should a student be permitted to return to the curriculum, the Committee will recommend if the student returns on academic probation or in good academic and professional standing. Students who are recommended not to return to the curriculum by the Committee, may reapply for admission through the Committee on Admissions.

Administrative LOA:

This type of LOA is imposed by an Associate Dean for Student Services as required by academic or professional deficiencies, such as failure of the USMLE Step 1 examination required for advancement in the curriculum. This is reported to the Committee on Academic and Professional Standards and will be recorded on the archival summary sheet at graduation.

Procedure:

1. The student initiates the request for LOA in writing to a Dean for Student Services. The type of leave requested as outlined above should be specified, and the starting date clearly identified.
   
   
2. The Dean for Student Services will review the request, and determine if the type of leave requested is approved. The Dean for Student Services will accept, reject or modify the request as indicated, responding to the student in writing.
   
   
3. The student will meet with their campus Student Services registrar and the appropriate Director of Financial Assistance Services for required exit processing.
   
   
4. The request for LOA will be presented at the next regular meeting of the Committee on Academic and Professional Standards for review and recommendations on the terms of return to the curriculum. Special meetings of the Committee may be called for such review upon the request of the Dean for Student Services.
   
   
5. All approved requests for any type of LOA will be reported on the graduation archival sheet and in the student's MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation).