Student Leave of Absence Procedure

Due to the intensive nature of physician assistant education, all academic activities are considered to be an important part of the overall educational experience. The Wake Forest University School of Medicine Department of PA Studies encourages all students to engage in their education with consistent attendance.

Leaves of absence will be individualized to the specific situation but will follow the general policies and procedures outlined below.

In all instances of leaves of absence, the PA Studies faculty will be notified. Students are urged to submit requests for absence as soon as an absence is anticipated.

All requests for a leave of absence, whether administrative or medical, should be submitted IN WRITING to the Chair of the Department of PA Studies or his designee.

A. Administrative Leaves of Absence
Administrative leaves of absence may be granted for personal, educational, financial or other reasons which must be stated in the letter of request. If the student is in academic difficulty or under consideration or direction of the PA Academic Affairs Committee, the Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee will be consulted by the Chair of the Department of PA Studies or his designee prior to approval of the request. During both the Pre-Clinical and Clinical year, administrative leaves will be considered on a case-by-case basis. During the Pre-Clinical year, when more than two weeks of leave are needed, the usual recommendation is withdrawal from school and readmission.

B. Medical Leaves of Absence
Medical leaves of absence require a statement from the appropriate licensed health care provider as to the expected duration of absence. Reinstatement must be approved by the Chair of the Department of PA Studies or his designee, who will need to be assured that the student is again ready for the rigors of medical studies.  While a statement of readiness from the student's health care provider may be sufficient, the right to require a second opinion regarding readiness is reserved. This consultation will come from a health care provider approved by the School of Medicine, and any cost involved will be borne by the student.  Medical leaves of longer than two weeks will not normally be granted during the Pre-Clinical year.

C. Excused Absences (Up to 72 Hours in Length)
Excused absences will be determined on a case by case basis. Valid reasons for requesting an excused absence include personal illness, family emergencies, and the need to participate in the observance of religious holidays. Personal illness lasting longer than 3 days may require documentation by a medical provider. The student must notify the PA Studies Registrar via phone or e-mail to report all absences. Please note that absence requests related to attending weddings, homecomings, the need to make an early flight for vacation, etc., will not be granted.

Pre-Clinical Year

• The student should arrange to make up any work missed.
• The student must notify the PA Studies Registrar of his/her absence.
• For excused absences that include missing an exam, refer to the Exam Policy.

Clinical Year

• Each absence will be considered individually.
• For excused absences that include missing an exam, refer to the Exam Policy.

D. Absence Report as part of the Student File

All reports of absences will become a part of the student file. In the case of unexcused absences, faculty will make a note of the date(s) and nature of the absence and place such documentation in the student’s file.

  Updated 5/08*