A student may petition the Graduate Committee for a leave of absence. The Committee's general policy regarding leaves of absence is as follows:
- A leave of absence may be taken for a specific period, up to one year.
- During the leave of absence, the student will not be required to continue making progress in the program, but may be required to complete work that was due before the leave of absence was taken.
- If the leave of absence includes a time when the student would ordinarily have had to take an examination, such as the Candidacy Examination or the Dissertation Prospectus Examination, the student will typically be granted a leave of absence only on the condition that the examination is taken in the first semester upon return.
- If the leave of absence includes a time when the student would ordinarily have had to complete an Incomplete, then all work required to be completed by university rules must be completed on time during the leave of absence.
- Students under contract as teaching associates who request a leave of absence will be granted the leave of absence only if a satisfactory replacement can be found.
Students who wish to extend a leave of absence must petition the Graduate Committee for such an extension. When a student petitions the Graduate Committee for a Leave of Absence, or for any other accommodation, the reasons for the petition will remain confidential within the bounds necessary for the Graduate Committee to make a reasonable and well-informed decision. Students who take a leave of absence after passing the Candidacy Examination should note that the 5-year rule for finishing the dissertation is in effect during the leave of absence (see the Graduate School Handbook).
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