Leaves of Absence & Withdrawal

On this page:

• Leaves of Absence
• Active Duty
• Withdrawal

Leave of Absence Policy

Contact Adviser & Director of Graduate Studies

Students considering a leave of absence that will result in a break in enrollment of one or more semesters must first contact their graduate adviser and the academic program's director of graduate studies to inform them of their intent, the reason requesting leave and the expected duration.

Letters to the Graduate School Office

After approval of the leave at the academic program level, the director of graduate studies and the student will submit letters to the vice provost/dean of the Graduate School. The DGS letter will verify that the academic program has been informed and that a leave of absence has been approved. The letter from the student will provide an explanation for the request as well as the anticipated departure and return date.

Resolving Financial Support Responsibilities

It will be the responsibility of students to resolve all issues pertaining to their support (e.g., research or teaching assistantship, scholarship) with their adviser or other relevant authority before departure. These issues include the date when support will be terminated and whether or under what conditions the student will be reinstated for support upon their return.

Notification for Re-Entry

Before the completion of the Leave of Absence, the student must notify the academic program's director of graduate studies and the Graduate School so that the re-entry process can be initiated.

Contact with the University During Leave

Students on a Leave of Absence may not make significant use of University resources and services or engage in significant consultation with the faculty.

Extension of Degree Time, Continuous Enrollment

Time spent on leave does not automatically extend limits for completion of the graduate degree but can be considered in a request for an extension.

Doctoral students who are required to maintain continuous enrollment may petition for an exception to this policy while they are on an approved Leave of Absence.

International Students

International students in F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant status must also obtain authorization from the International Center before the initiation of a Leave of Absence and before returning to campus to ensure compliance with current SEVIS regulations and visa restrictions.

F-1 and J-1 students approved for a leave of absence may not remain in the United States during the leave period unless authorized by the International Center. For students who must depart the United States, leave periods exceeding five months will necessitate updated student immigration documentation for re-entry.

All international students considering a leave of absence should meet with an international student adviser to determine the appropriate steps to safeguard their immigration status.

Active Duty Policy

Students who are called to active duty as part of a Reserve or National Guard unit call-up during an academic term and are unable to complete their work have three options:

• They may choose to withdraw from school, in which case they shall be given a 100 percent refund of all academic fees including the educational fee, student activity fee and any instruction-related miscellaneous fees which may have been assessed. In such cases, no course numbers, titles or grades will appear on the student’s academic record. All that will appear on the record will be the date of the withdrawal (the date military orders require the individual to report for active duty) with an explanatory statement.
• A student and instructor can consider the use of the "I" grade under appropriate circumstances. The time such students spend on active duty shall not be included in the time allowed for the removal of an "I" grade (e.g., one calendar year from the date of its recording).
• The student and instructor may choose for the student to complete or have completed all of the course work and receive a grade before the date to report for active duty. This arrangement may work if the student is called-up near the end of an academic term and is subject to the approval of the professor.

This policy is implemented to assure that students called to active duty before the end of the semester (or summer term) will receive fair and just treatment, both financially and academically.

Withdrawal from the University

Formal withdrawal from MU is arranged through the Graduate School using a Notice of Withdrawal form that is signed by the adviser and the vice provost/dean of the Graduate School.

Grades

If the student has earned a C or better at withdrawal time, a grade of W is recorded. If the student is failing at withdrawal time, a grade of F is recorded. Students are responsible for notifying their instructors of their intention to withdraw and for determining if their work qualifies for a W grade. Students who leave MU without filing a statement of formal withdrawal are given a grade of F in all courses.

Urgent Situations

If the reason for leaving is so urgent that an official withdrawal cannot be obtained, the student should notify the Graduate School as soon as possible and officially request to be withdrawn.