Leave of Absence
Students who will not be registering for courses in a semester must complete the Leave of Absence / Withdrawal Form. Students should plan extended absences of a semester or longer with their academic advisor. Students may request a Leave of Absence (LOA) not to exceed three consecutive Fall or Spring semesters (Summer semesters excluded). The student should also schedule an appointment with the Dean of Students and / or the Registrar at the time of submission of the form to ensure that all matters are in order. An LOA may be granted for personal, financial, or other reasons, but the expectation is that the student will return to his or her program within the timeframe indicated on the LOA / Withdrawal Form.
A student on LOA retains his or her existing program year, and is considered “Active” but “On Leave.” The student should ensure that contact information and other relevant data are kept current through the Office of the Registrar. An LOA is permitted only for students in good standing and does not constitute a waiver of the timeframe for program completion. LOA status is not intended to merely delay program deadlines or other program responsibilities but is rather a genuine absence from the Seminary community.
If during the LOA the student finds that he or she must withdraw from the Seminary or needs further extended leave beyond what was originally filed, he or she must communicate his or her intentions to the Dean of Students and / or Registrar.
Note: LOA beyond one academic year (three consecutive semesters, including summer) is considered withdrawal from the Seminary, and the student must reapply with no guarantee of readmission. For information concerning Students Recalled to Active Duty as Members of the National Guard or Reserve, see page 126 of the Student Handbook.
Withdrawal and Readmission
If a student desires to withdraw from the Seminary with no intentions of returning, the student must complete the LOA / Withdrawal Form. The student should schedule an appointment with the Dean of Students and / or the Registrar at the time of submission of the form to ensure that all matters are in proper order. Withdrawal is not complete until final settlements have been made with the Offices of Accounting, Financial Aid, and the Registrar. Withdrawal from the Seminary deactivates the student’s file, and if he or she desires to return at a future date, the student must reapply with no guarantee of readmission.
Students who do not enroll for three consecutive Fall or Spring semesters (Summer semesters excluded) will be automatically withdrawn from their program and from the Seminary. Withdrawn students who desire to return must apply for readmission through the Admissions Office.
Note: Withdrawn students who apply for readmission are subject to the program requirements in effect at the time of readmission rather than those from the time of initial admission.
Withdrawal from Courses
Students who are currently enrolled may withdraw from a class without academic penalty during the course drop period. A withdrawal after the course drop period will be recorded as a failing grade in all courses, unless the student has been granted permission to withdraw without academic penalty by the Petition Committee. The official withdrawal date is the date the Office of the Registrar is notified of the student’s intention to withdraw.
Note: An enrolled student who withdraws from the Seminary will be withdrawn from his or her courses, and will receive the appropriate grade notation (WP or WF). A student who desires to withdraw from his or her courses but does not desire to withdraw from the Seminary should use the Academic Petition Form rather than the LOA / Withdrawal Form.
