Progression in a student’s academic program can be interrupted for various reasons, resulting in gaps within the scheduled curriculum. These interruptions may include a leave of absence, a recession, withdrawal, or dismissal. It is important to note that regardless of the reason behind the interruption, students must complete the DCOM curriculum within six (6) years from the initial program start date.
Leave of Absence
A leave of absence may be granted from LMU-DCOM for one of the following reasons:
- Medical Leave- Medical Leave is defined as a student developing a medical condition that will temporarily not allow them to continue their studies
- Personal Leave- Personal Leave is defined as a student experiencing a sudden and unexpected event that will temporarily not allow them to continue their studies (i.e., military deployment)
- Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Recessed Professional Leave- Recessed Professional Leave is defined as a student being placed on leave absence when they have not achieved the academic benchmarks required to progress in the curriculum. A student may not request to be placed on Recessed Professional Leave.
- Scholarly Leave- Scholarly Leave is defined as a student taking a leave of absence to participate in external professional development opportunity (e.g., research) outside of LMU-DCOM's oversight
The Assistant/Associate Dean of Students, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, or LMU-DCOM Dean can grant a leave of absence. Leave of absences are granted for conditions/circumstances that will impact the student’s ability to complete coursework in the future.
Only the appropriate Assistant/Associate Dean of Students at your location or the LMU-DCOM Campus Dean can grant a leave of absence. All forms of leave of absence may require the student to provide documentation to support their request for leave. For a student to request a leave of absence, the student must submit a written request and meet with the Director of Students and Academic Advancement to discuss the reasons for the leave. LMU-DCOM will then notify the student in writing about the decision regarding the leave and any requirements about the student’s return to campus. Leave of absence is granted for up to one year.
Before a student’s leave of absence can begin, they must go through LMU-DCOM’s prescribed checkout procedure, including a documented discussion with the LMU financial aid office, as directed by the Director of Students and Academic Advancement.
Students seeking to return from a leave of absence must ensure that all approved terms and conditions of the leave have been met and are submitted in writing before reinstatement will be granted. The submission of this paperwork is the responsibility of the student and must be submitted in writing to the Director of Students and Academic Advancement.
Recession
Upon recommendation from an SPC and approval from the respective LMU-DCOM Campus Dean, a student may agree to being recessed by being removed from their current academic cohort and allowed to return as a member of the cohort one graduation year behind.