Department of English
Leave of Absence

A Leave of Absence is a temporary cessation of study and may be granted to allow students in good academic standing to postpone their studies for a definite period of time, normally not to exceed one year, in the event of unavoidable circumstances. The time that the student spends on an approved Leave of Absence will be included in the time allowed to complete the degree, i.e., six calendar years for the master's degree and eight calendar years for the doctoral degree.

A student who wishes to request a leave should submit to the Graduate School a completed "Application for a Leave of Absence," which requires the endorsement of the student's committee chair and the department's Director of Graduate Studies and supporting documentation. The application form is available from the Graduate School offices or website. An official Leave of Absence begins only after the student receives a copy of the request with the Graduate Dean's signature confirming final approval of the leave.

Students should be aware of the academic and financial consequences of a Leave of Absence. A student may not complete comprehensive examinations or hold a teaching assistantship while on leave. For a student receiving federal financial assistance, the university is required to report enrollment status as "withdrawn" when a student takes a leave of absence for a semester or more. Upon return to the university graduate program, new loan applications must be submitted and an in-school deferment form must be filed with lenders.

A teaching assistant in good academic standing may take a one-year leave of absence. To do so, the TA must request a leave in writing from the Director of Graduate Studies during the spring semester prior to the academic year in which he or she wishes to be on leave. A teaching assistant on leave must notify the graduate director in writing by February 1st whether or not he or she intends to return the following fall semester.