Voluntary Leave of Absence
Students may need time away from school due to, but no limited to, the following situations:
- Personal illness/health-related conditions
- Family illness/health-related conditions
- Crisis of personal or family nature
- Research or clinical fellowship programs
- Additional degree programs
- Military duty
A leave of absence will be classified as either being Short-Term LOA or Long-Term LOA
- Short Term Leave of Absence: Length is between 3 to less than 8 Weeks and requires one approval as stated in form.
- Long Term Leave of Absence: Length is 8 Weeks and above and requires 2 approvals as stated in form along with reviewal and approval by the PMSEPC.
- Anything less than 3 weeks would need to be discussed with Module Lead/Clerkship Director(s)/Course Lead – Unless related to personal health of student or family member. Please see Policy: Podiatric Medicine Students to be excused from Classes in order to access health services
A student in good academic standing may request a LOA by submitting a written request to the Office of Student Services and the Chair of the Podiatric Medical Student Evaluation and Promotion Committee (PMSEPC) explaining the situation, the amount of leave time requested, the proposed start date and date of return, a plan to communicate with the Office of Student Services during the absence, and the intent to return to the SOPM to complete the DPM degree.
The Director of Student Services may approve a leave of absence of less than eight weeks. Any leave of absence greater than eight (8) weeks must be reviewed and approved by the PMSEPC.
Medical LOA requires a supporting letter from the student's personal physician. A second opinion from a physician selected by UTRGV SOPM may also be required. The Director of Student Services will review the request and make a recommendation to the PMSEPC. The Director of Student Services will work with the student if there are any concerns related to the request for a personal medical LOA. The PMSEPC will review the request and will contact the student with their decision. A 'release to return to work/school' letter from the student's physician is required two (2) weeks prior to return. Depending on the individual case and after review by the PMSEPC, a medical LOA may be renewed.
For Parental Leave, please refer to the Parental Leave and Accommodations policy.
An educational/research/service LOA may be granted to allow students opportunities to enhance their podiatric medicine school experience by participating in educational, research, or service activities at other institutions or other colleges within UTRGV. The student requesting such a leave must submit a letter of request for leave to the Director of Student Services, who is responsible for monitoring the student's time spent in the educational/ research/ service activities; and the Chair of the PMSEPC. The Director of Student Services will work with the student if there are any concerns related to the request for an educational/research/service LOA. The PMSEPC will review the request and will contact the student with their decision.
An extraordinary circumstances LOA or LOA for personal reasons may be granted in the event that a student requires a leave for reasons other than medical or educational/research/service. The student requesting such leave must submit a written request to the Office of Student Services and the Chair of the PMSEPC explaining the situation, the amount of leave time requested, the proposed start date and date of return, a plan to communicate with the Office of Student Services during the absence, and the intent to return to the SOPM to complete the DPM degree. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will work with the student if there are any concerns related to the request for an extraordinary circumstances LOA. The PMSEPC will review the request will contact the student with their decision.