Length of Leave

Duration, Return, and Extensions

Duration of Medical Leaves
The length of the medical leave is dependent on the nature of and severity of the health concern. The majority of medical leaves extend over two semesters, but in some cases are shorter, and they can be extended for up to two years. It is the concern of Health Services and Counseling Services that the leave be long enough to allow a student to regain the health and energy required to manage a full-time academic load in a residential environment. Leaves related to chronic illness, substance abuse, and to injuries requiring rehabilitation most frequently require additional time

Return from Medical Leave
Students on medical leave are not automatically reinstated to Mount Holyoke College. Written clearance from the director of College Health Services or Counseling Services is needed prior to registration for Mount Holyoke classes, assignment of housing, or completion of financial aid procedures. The student may be asked to provide a written recommendation from an appropriate health care provider confirming that the student’s health will support a successful return to full-time academic work on a residential campus.

Requests or inquiry regarding a return from medical leave must be made by May 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester. A student wishing to be readmitted to Mount Holyoke for the purpose of transferring in credits from study at another institution will not require medical clearance. See Study Away During or Following a Medical Leave for more information.

Extension of Medical Leave or Withdrawal
If the student is not prepared to return to the campus in the semester following twelve months of medical leave, she must request in writing an extension of her medical leave.

This request should be submitted to the director of College Health Services or director of Counseling and should include specific information about the student’s need for more time away. The director of College Health Services or director of Counseling will approve extensions and notify the dean of the College of all extensions of medical leave.

The student will be formally withdrawn from the college when the medical leave has extended beyond twelve months and the student has not requested an extension or when the medical leave has been longer than 24 months and there is not a plan for return in the subsequent semester.

If a student has been formally withdrawn, return will require both medical and academic clearance. The student would request a return from medical leave from either the director of College Health Services or the director of Counseling Services and then apply for readmission through the dean of the College.