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Leaves of Absence and Withdrawal
Leaves of Absence
A leave of absence is an approved interruption of the degree progam. Any student in good standing may be placed on leave of absence for personal or professional reasons.
A student may request a leave of absence by writing to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Leave of absence is granted for the period of one semester or one academic year. A leave of absence is not granted routinely, however, and a student should have compelling reasons for requesting an interruption of his/her regular progress towards the degree.
If a leave of absence has been granted, the student must notify the Office of Academic Affairs in writing of the intent to return by November 15 for re-enrollment the following spring semester, or April 15 for fall re-enrollment. A tuition deposit of $50 will be required at that time to re-serve space on the major teacher's roster. However, a student requesting a leave of absence is not guaranteed a space in a teacher's studio upon return to school.
Undergraduate
Undergraduate students on leave of absence for more than the allowed year must petition the Undergraduate Committee for readmission and certification of previously earned credits toward the degree program. This process includes reauditioning and may include placement tests in specific areas.
Graduate (other than D.M.A.)
Graduate students on leave of absence for more than the allowed year must petition the Graduate Committee for readmission and certification of previously earned credits toward the degree program. This process includes reauditioning and may include placement tests in specific areas.
D.M.A.
Once a D.M.A. candidate has completed the required coursework, he or she may no longer exercise the leave-of-absence option, but must continue to enroll for Degree-in-Progress through the semester of completion of degree requirements in order to maintain standing in the program. If a student interrupts his or her program by failing to pay the DIP fee for more than one year, the student must petition the D.M.A. Committee for readmission. Upon approval of the petition, all retroactive fees must be paid in order for reinstatement of status to become effective. Any D.M.A. candidate who fails to register for Degree-in-Progress will be dropped from the program.
International Students
International students who request a leave of absence should be aware that the United States law governing the visa status of F-1 students requires them to leave the United States for the duration of their leave of absence, unless the leave is granted for reasons of illness or other medical conditions. Students wishing to remain in the United States during their leaves of absence must provide medical documentation to the school to support such a request. Medical leave of absence cannot exceed an aggregate of one year.
Withdrawals
Requests for total withdrawal from degree programs must be initiated in the office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
Readmission
Former degree candidates who have withdrawn from the Conservatory must submit a written request for readmission to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Final decisions on readmission will be made by the appropriate academic committee in consultation with the Associate Dean.
