Student Leave of Absence Policy

Leaves of absence will be individualized to the specific situation but will follow the general policies and procedures outlined below.

In all instances of leaves of absence, the PA Studies faculty will be notified. Students are urged to submit requests for absence as soon as an absence is anticipated.

All requests for a leave of absence, whether administrative or medical, should be submitted IN WRITING to the Chair of the Department of PA Studies or his/her designee.

Administrative Leaves of Absence

Administrative leaves of absence may be granted for personal, educational, financial or other reasons which must be stated in the letter of request. If the student is in academic difficulty or under consideration or direction of the PA Academic Affairs Committee, the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee will be consulted by the Chair of the Department of PA Studies or his designee prior to approval of the request. During both the Pre-Clinical and Clinical year, administrative leaves will be considered on a case-by-case basis. During the Pre-Clinical year, when more than two weeks of leave are needed, the usual recommendation is withdrawal from school and readmission.

Medical Leaves of Absence

Medical leaves of absence require a statement from the appropriate licensed health care provider as to the expected duration of absence. Reinstatement must be approved by the Chair of the Department of PA Studies or his/her designee, who will need to be assured that the student is again ready for the rigors of medical studies.  While a statement of readiness from the student's health care provider may be sufficient, the right to require a second opinion regarding readiness is reserved. This consultation will come from a health care provider approved by the School of Medicine, and any cost involved will be borne by the student.  Medical leaves of longer than two weeks will not normally be granted during the Pre-Clinical year.

  Updated May 2011