2021 - 2022 COM Student Handbook

Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM)—Graduate Certificate in Health Professions Preparation Program 2021–2022 371 2. Voluntary Leave of Absence A voluntary leave of absence is a request by a student to discontinue coursework for personal, financial, or medical reasons. A student requesting a leave of absence must complete the proper paperwork (LOA form) obtained from the Office of Student Affairs. The request for a voluntary leave of absence must be submitted, in writing, to the director of the Office of Student Affairs who will review the request and submit a recommendation to the dean. The dean will then determine whether or not the leave of absence is to be granted. Students granted a leave of absence for medical reasons may be required to have a licensed physician, approved by the dean, certify in writing that the student is able to resume his or her studies. Any limitations that the student may have must be clearly documented before the student may be able to resume the program. Students granted a leave for absence for financial reasons must, before their return to the university, prove to the financial departments of the university that they have the financial capability to continue their education. 3. Communication with KPCOM During a Leave of Absence A student who is on a leave of absence that does not identify a date of return must communicate monthly with the Office of Student Affairs for the duration of the leave. This communication is to be initiated by the student and occur during the first week of each month, starting with the month following the onset of the leave. Failure to report may result in the student being referred to the Graduate Student Progress and Advising Committee for disciplinary action. 4. Return from Leave of Absence Upon return, a student who was withdrawn from coursework during the leave will have to repeat all courses in their entirety during the next course offering. 5. Leave of Absence Records Leave of absence records and the date of each determination shall be placed in the student’s permanent record. Code of Conduct Students are required to know and adhere to both the college’s Code of Conduct and the university’s Code of Student Conduct.