A leave of absence suspends the time limit for degree completion for the duration of the leave. It does not suspend the time limit for the completion of individual courses. Only students who have not enrolled for all course credit requirements may request a leave of absence. The maximum leave is one year. Students who have enrolled for all required credits but have not completed all degree requirements, such as passing the comprehensive examination or completing a thesis or dissertation, are not eligible for a leave of absence but must register for Continuous Registration.
Students request a leave of absence from their program director or chairperson.
If the program approves the request, the chairperson or director completes the Leave of Absence form available from the Graduate College Office and forwards it to the Dean for approval. A leave of absence does not take effect until after approval has been received from both the program chairperson or director and the Dean of the Graduate College. Any student who does not enroll following termination of the leave of absence will be deactivated from the Graduate College. Deactivation is equivalent to withdrawal from a graduate program. Students who do not enroll in their program following the termination of the leave of absence will be deactivated from the Graduate College by the Graduate Dean.