Undergraduate Policies

A leave of absence (LOA) is a leave from the University with the intention of returning within two full academic semesters or a calendar year to complete coursework.

The deadline to take a leave of absence from the University without any record of courses or grades of the current semester is the same as the “last day to drop without a W grade.” (See Academic Calendar.)

If a student takes a leave of absence from the University before the “last day to withdraw from a course,” all LOA grades will be a “W” and will affect the student’s progress toward degree and Academic Standing. If a student takes a leave of absence after the “last day to withdraw from a course” all LOA grades will be a “WF” and will affect the student’s GPA calculations and Academic Standing.

When a student takes a leave of absence during a semester, the effective date of the leave of absence will be determined when the Office of the University Registrar receives the completed leave of absence form (see Registrar’s website for appropriate form). Students must check with the Student Accounts Office to determine their financial responsibility for tuition and other fees, such as housing and meal plans.

Any student who is in good academic standing is eligible to take a leave of absence from the University for up to one calendar year. A leave of absence allows students to re-enter the University within one calendar year from the date on which the leave was approved without the need for completing a new application.

The leave of absence also enables the student to retain degree requirements from the catalog under which they originally matriculated. Any student may, however, choose to re-enter under requirements in the current catalog. A student whose leave of absence extends beyond two full academic semesters must complete a new application to re-enter the University. Graduation requirements will be determined from the catalog in effect on the date of acceptance for re-entry by the Office of Admissions or the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

Students who are not in good academic standing may apply for leave of absence, with an exception to the above policy with an appeal made to the Dean of Students.Under these circumstances, the Dean of Students and the Student Experience Committee must approve any application for re-entry before a student registers for any additional courses at the University as per the Withdrawal from University poliicy. (See “Withdrawal from University.”)

A student who is on a leave of absence is able to take up to two (2) courses at another institution in any term, including summer with approval.

For information about the financial aspects of the leave of absence policy, please refer to the “Refund Policy” included in the “Financial Information” section of the catalog.

Maximum Number of Courses: Current students (including students on a Leave of Absence) may take a maximum of two (2) courses at another institution in any term, including summer. [“Summer” includes the summer as a whole.] Students may obtain permission for up to two (2) courses for a maximum of 8 credits. Permission for an alternative course can be particularly helpful in situations when courses are cancelled.

A student who is on a leave of absence is able to take up to two (2) courses at another institution in any term, including summer with approval.