University policy requires that graduate students remain continuously registered in order to encourage timely degree completion. Nonetheless, there are occasions in which students need to take a leave of absence. Students who wish to take a leave of absence should complete a Leave of Absence Request form, including their supervisor鈥檚 signature and provide any required supporting documentation (such as a Health Care Provider form) prior to the start of the term in which they wish to take leave. 鈥淟eave of Absence鈥� is a registration status. Students who neglect to request a leave and fail to register are automatically discontinued from their graduate program and must apply to be reactivated.

International students who need to take a leave of absence should check with the office of International Services for Students to confirm that they will not invalidate their study permit.

Faculty of Graduate Studies recognizes two types of leave for students in thesis graduate programs. These are:

1. Leaves that count towards time to completion
2. Leaves that do not count towards time to completion

For all types of leave the student must complete a Leave of Absence Request form with their supervisor鈥檚 signature and supporting documentation (if required) to the Program Assistant well before the beginning of the term for which the on-leave status is requested.

Please see Graduate General Regulations (GGR) 1.4.5 for more information.

Leaves that count towards time to completion

Leaves that count towards time to completion may include leaves for personal or professional reasons. Documentation is not required. Up to three terms of leave may be taken under this category.

Leaves that do not count towards time to completion

Leaves that do not count towards time to completion may include, but are not limited to, leaves for military service or those for medical, compassionate or parental reasons. Supporting documentation is required. The maximum time to completion will be adjusted accordingly but all other program requirements and academic unit expectations will remain the same.

A student may initially request up to three terms of leave. Students who require more than three terms of leave may submit a request for renewal to be reviewed by Graduate Studies. Students are required to submit supporting documentation for initial and renewal requests. Renewal requests require a rationale, and additional documentation may be requested by the review committee.

A student may be asked to provide documentation from their clinician to confirm that they have recovered sufficiently to return to their course of study at the end of a leave for medical reasons. If medical documentation is submitted for reasons related to a physical or mental disability, the student has a legal entitlement to disability accommodation.

Students completing the requirements for their program past the normal completion time, as the result of having taken three or more terms of leave, may be required to repeat courses/comprehensive examinations or complete additional courses at the discretion of their graduate program committee. Responsibility for approving these additional degree requirements rests with the dean of graduate studies and the chair of the student's graduate program committee.

Parental Leave

A student may request up to five terms for each instance of childbirth or adoption. Students are required to submit supporting documentation.

ACADEMIC BREAK

Students in thesis programs are NOT eligible for academic breaks.