Leave of Absence and Readmission Policy
School of Allied Health Sciences
 
 
All programs in the SAHS use a competitive review process for admission. Once admitted to a program of study, each student is required to follow an approved degree plan. For programs leading to professional certification, these degree plans follow a designated sequence that is influenced by accreditation standards, the availability and scheduling of clinical or applied field-based coursework, the professional judgment of faculty, and the need to use limited resources wisely. These designated sequences limit individual student discretion in the selection and completion of courses of study because most courses are offered only once per year.
 
It is expected that when enrolled, students in professional programs will track continuously through a program of study to completion of their degrees. Occasionally, academic or personal situations arise that make it necessary for students, in concert with program faculty and appropriate administrators, to alter their degree plans and interrupt their enrollment. In these cases, a student must request a leave of absence to preserve matriculation status.
 
Leaves of absence may be requested for varying periods, in accordance with the following procedure: (UTMB General Bulletin, page 80, as revised):
Associate Dean for Student Affairs may grant leaves of absence for up to one year in cases of acute illness or other emergencies, with the provision that the student will arrange with all instructors to make up the work missed.
 
A request for a leave of absence must be made in writing to the chair of the student’s department, and approved by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The request must indicate dates of the leave and plans for returning. In order to re-enroll following a leave of absence, the student must comply with all conditions of the leave of absence stipulated by the department and must obtain the written approval of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs on recommendation by the chair.
 
Student services and privileges provided to enrolled students will cease during the period of the leave. It is the responsibility of the student to request and obtain documentation that the leave of absence has been granted.
 
A student who requests a leave of absence should note the following:
 
a) Graduation and completion date for a program will be delayed unless unscheduled
b) delay in completion of program requirements/graduation may result in the inability for a student to graduate and sit for licensure/certification examinations, thus delaying professional employment eligibility.
Voluntary Program Withdrawal
It is recognized that circumstances may also require a student to voluntarily withdraw from a program. When a student withdraws from a program, her or she surrenders the right of matriculation and must competitively reapply for admission as a student.
 
It is important to note that any student in a professional program who does not remain continuously registered and who has not obtained an official leave of absence for the period of non-attendance is deemed to have voluntarily withdrawn from a program and surrenders his/her right of matriculation. Students not registered by the 12th day of classes and who have not been granted registration extensions or leaves of absence will be deemed to have voluntarily withdrawn. Re-enrollment following deemed withdrawal will require that a student reapply competitively through regular admission procedures.