Steps for Requesting a Leave of Absence

1.  Complete a Request for Leave of Absence form and a Curriculum Plan Change form
2.  See Angela Moseley, room 4-009C to get your Individual Plan of Study and a copy of your current Curriculum Plan
3.  Meet with your advisor to complete a Generic Curriculum Plan and to update your Individual Plan of Study
4.  Have your advisor sign off on your Request for Leave of Absence, Curriculum Plan Change form, and your Generic Curriculum Plan
5.  Return all three (3) forms to Angela in room 4-009C
*** All of the necessary forms can be downloaded from the links above

Extra Information For Those Requesting a Leave of Absence for Medical Reasons

(Please see above information, too)  If you need to request a leave of absence for medical reasons, you will need to provide us with a doctor's note prior to your medical leave of absence being approved.  You will also need to provide a doctor's note when you return, stating that you are fit to return to school (have it addressed to The Associate Dean for Academic Programs Programs, VCU School of Nursing, 1100 East .  Box 98056, Richmond, VA  23298-0567).

Maximum Time Limit for Leaves of Absence

Generally, the maximum time limit for a Leave of Absence is one year or three semesters (Summer semester is counted for this year, for example:  if you request a one year leave beginning in Fall, then you will return the following Fall).  If a student desires a leave of longer than one year, you must reapply at the end of the first year's leave of absence, and it will be decided on a case-by-case basis.  Be careful to plan to complete your degree within five years from the time you begin the program (seven years for doctoral students), as this is the official policy of the University.  Please consider that if you take an extended leave, program changes may occur that influence your progression.  Any extensions past the maximum time limits for your degree, must be made by formal request to The Associate Dean for Academic Programs Programs and be approved by the School of Graduate Studies, also.

*This policy does not apply to doctoral students who are post comprehensive exams; they must enroll every semester until defending their dissertation, unless they request a Leave of Absence.

**Summer semester does not count in this, which means, you could be absent for a Summer and Fall semester or a Spring and Summer semester without informing us.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact Angela Moseley at 804-828-0836, or via email at admosele@vcu.edu.