Regulation type
Students are expected to maintain continuous enrolment in their program. Subject to the approval of the Dean (or authorized designate), a student may be granted on-leave status from the university for a period normally limited to one year (in total) if exceptional circumstances arise.
Exceptional circumstances would normally include active military duty, UN Service, or significant personal or immediate family issues; workload or change in employment would only in rare circumstances be acceptable grounds for a leave. Students must present documentation to the Dean (or designate) for approval prior to the start date of the requested leave.
Students holding on-leave status are doing so for personal or professional reasons and therefore are not expected to be working on courses, theses or projects and are not normally provided with academic supervision or access to the university's facilities or services during this time. Exceptions to this policy are granted only with the express permission of the Dean.
When a student on leave of absence wishes to return, within the pre-determined timeframe, the Dean (or designate) will evaluate the request to determine the course of studies for completion of the degree requirements. The student may be required to repeat previously taken courses to ensure currency of program competencies, outcomes and knowledge at the time of degree completion. Leave time is included in the calculation of a student's program completion deadline. Due to program capacities, seats will not be reserved for students on leave. Every effort will be made to accommodate students who wish to return from a leave; however, if a seat in the program is not available when the student wishes to return, the leave will be extended to the next available intake date and the student's program completion deadline will be adjusted accordingly.
Students who do not return to the program at the end of their approved leave will have their status automatically changed to "Required to Withdraw." Exceptions to this policy require the approval of the Registrar.