Extenuating Circumstances

Leave of Absence

The University of Minnesota leave of absence (LOA) policy for graduate students allows graduate students to interrupt their enrollment for up to a maximum of two years and return under the rules and policies in effect when they leave without having to re-apply or negatively affecting their time to degree. Students should contact the DGS for more information as there are strict Graduate School policies and procedures to follow for initiating and ending a LOA.

Please note the following points: 

• Students should consult with their advisor prior to requesting a LOA. Being approved for an LOA does not guarantee the preservation of any financial aid or assistantship appointment the student may be currently holding. 

• The submission of an LOA request to the DGS does not guarantee that it will be approved by the SoN nor does it automatically cancel any active registrations (this is the student’s responsibility). 

• LOA requests should be submitted prior to the beginning of the term in which the leave will begin, if at all possible. 

• Students on a LOA will not have access to any University resources exclusive to students during the leave (e.g., library privileges, access to faculty, etc.). The only exception is the use of University email. 

• Students returning from a leave must fill out a LOA re-entry form before the semester they wish to re-enter (talk with both DGS and GSSP). 

• Students may return early so long as the LOA re-entry form is submitted before the semester they wish to re-enter. 

• Failure to return by the semester indicated on the LOA application will result in the student being dismissed from the program. 

• International students should consult with ISSS prior to requesting a LOA as such action could affect visa status. 

University of Minnesota Leave of Absence and Reinstatement from a Leave: Graduate Students Policy

Incomplete Coursework

The School of Nursing expects students to complete coursework in a timely manner. An “Incomplete” grade is assigned at the discretion of the course instructor when, due to extenuating  circumstances a student that has successfully completed the majority of the course requirements is prevented from completing the remainder of the course on time. The faculty member teaching the course completes an incomplete contract with the student and disperses copies of the contract to the student, DGS, and the Graduate Program Coordinator.  All incompletes should be completed by the end of the following semester to be in compliance with UMN policy unless there is prior approval by the instructor and DGS. A student is not permitted to hold more than two (2) incompletes in any one semester. 

The Graduate Admissions and Progressions Committee (Grad A & P) reviews student progression according to established school policy. An incomplete grade impacts progression in sequential courses, and may be converted to an F or N if left unresolved or contract is not followed. 

Policy: https://policy.umn.edu/education/gradingtranscripts

Withdrawal from Program

Students wishing to withdraw from the PhD program must contact their advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in the School of Nursing as well as the Graduate School at gssp@umn.edu. They must provide name, student ID number, program, and reason for withdrawal. They must copy the advisor, the DGS and the Office of Student & Career Advancement Services (OSCAS) on all email messages at sonstudentinfo@umn.edu regarding withdrawal from the program.