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Student Handbook

Student Requests for Leave of Absence Policy and Procedure

Students may request a leave of absence from the program for academic, personal, or health reasons. Usually the time period of the leave of absence will not exceed one year and is negotiated on the basis of the needs or wishes of the student and requirements of the program. Students anticipating an absence from the program longer than five working days must request either an emergency leave of absence or a planned leave of absence, otherwise they will be considered to have voluntarily withdrawn from the program and will be required to formally petition the faculty for reinstatement. Students anticipating an absence of five or fewer days are required to inform their clinical supervisor(s) and course instructors and may be required to arrange for another student to provide coverage for practicum or classroom activities.

Students requesting an emergency or planned leave of absence for personal health or psychological reasons may be required to submit a letter from their health care provider(s) and may be required to obtain a health or psychological assessment prior to being reinstated in the program.

Emergency Leave Requests: If a personal or health emergency arises, the student should contact the Office of Academic Affairs and/or the Office of Clinical Training and Psychological Services to request an emergency leave of absence. Both offices can be contacted by calling (937) 775-3490. If the student is unable to make personal contact with these offices, a family member, friend, or another student can make the contact on the student's behalf. If the situation warrants it, either office will contact course instructors and practicum supervisors once an emergency leave of absence has been granted. Emergency leaves are granted for relatively brief periods of time and only rarely do they extend for longer than a two week time period. Once the emergency subsides, the student, in consultation with both offices, will develop a plan to return to program activities or will develop a plan for an extended, planned leave of absence.

Planned leave of absence: Many of the academic, personal or health issues that may warrant a leave of absence can be anticipated in advance. Examples include pregnancy, elective surgery etc. Any such need for a leave from the program should be anticipated in advance to the extent possible. This allows the student to participate in developing a planned leave of absence. The procedures for developing a planned leave of absence are as follows:

1. The student should submit a written request for the leave to the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Clinical Training and Psychological Services stating the reason(s) and the time period the leave will encompass.
2. If the initial request is approved, the student then meets with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and/or the Associate Dean for Clinical Training and Psychological Services to develop a tentative plan for the leave of absence.
3. As necessary, the student meets with his or her academic advisor, clinical practicum supervisor and faculty members teaching those courses that will be effected by the leave of absence.
4. The student meets with both the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Associate Dean for Clinical Training and Psychological Services to develop a formal plan for the leave of absence.
5. If the time period of the planned leave of absence extends longer than one academic quarter, the plan will be presented to the core faculty by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Associate Dean for Clinical Training and Psychological Services for their information.

Completion of Program Requirements: Once an emergency or planned leave of absence has been granted, the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Clinical Training and Psychological Services will assist students in arranging with course instructors and supervisors to complete program assignments.