Interruption of Degree Work

A leave of absence is an approved interruption of a degree program that is subject to a fixed duration and/or specific requirements for return. A withdrawal is a complete departure from the Conservatory and its degree programs. A withdrawal can only be reversed through the mechanisms of reaudition and petition of the relevant academic committee. Students who do not return from a leave of absence will be considered withdrawn from the Conservatory.

Leave of Absence

A student may request a leave of absence by writing to the associate dean for academic affairs. The Peabody Conservatory is not obliged to grant a leave of absence, and students should present compelling personal or professional reasons for the interruption of studies when requesting a leave of absence. A leave of absence is not granted retroactively. Students must request the leave of absence in writing before postponing their studies. Moreover, a leave of absence is subject to the following conditions:

• The student must be a current student who has matriculated into the Conservatory

• The student must be taking lessons or coursework to fulfill the requirements of a degree program

• DMA students who have completed their coursework are no longer eligible for a voluntary leave of absence

• The student may not be in immediate jeopardy for dismissal on academic grounds

• An international student must make arrangements regarding his or her visa with the international student advisor

• A student who receives financial aid must make the appropriate arrangements with the Financial Aid Office

• The student must be given clearance for all financial obligations, including but not limited to tuition, instrument loans, library fines, and residence fees If a leave of absence has been granted, the leave will be made for an agreed-upon fixed duration of either one semester or one year. During that time, a student may not be enrolled as a full-time student at another institution. Any credits earned at another institution during the leave of absence must be approved for transfer by the associate dean for academic affairs in consultation with department chairs. A student on a leave of absence must notify the Academic Affairs Office in writing of the intent to return by November 15 for re-enrollment the following spring semester or by April 15 for fall re-enrollment. A tuition deposit of $50 will be required at that time to reserve 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.

Medical Leave of Absence

In certain circumstances, a student with a chronic condition that is documented by licensed caregiver will be placed on a medical leave of absence. The associate dean for student affairs initiates a medical leave of absence. A student will be administratively withdrawn from all classes and receive no credit.

In situations where a leave of absence is indicated due to circumstances as described below, the associate dean for student affairs may require a medical or involuntary leave of absence. This step will be taken when necessary to protect the safety of the student or other individuals or to preserve the integrity of the university's learning environment. Such a decision may be based on behavior and/or communication that:

• Harms or threatens harm to the health or safety of the student or others

• Causes or threatens to cause significant damage to the property or resources of the University

• Evidences chronic and/or serious drug or alcohol abuse

• Significantly disrupts the functioning of the University community

• Reflects disorganized or altered thinking incompatible with successful participation in the academic program

If a medical or involuntary leave of absence is required, the leave will be made for an indefinite duration that may not exceed one year without requesting an extension and providing the appropriate documentation from a licensed professional. A student wishing to return must notify the Student Affairs Office in writing of the intent to return. An assessment of the student's fitness for return will be required as a condition of returning from a medical or involuntary leave of absence and study at the Conservatory may only resume at the scheduled start of a semester.

Extended Leave

Any student on leave of absence must report his or her status to the Conservatory by the middle of the second semester of leave to either make arrangements to return or to extend the leave of absence. Students who are granted an extension to a leave of absence beyond the originally stipulated year may need to petition the appropriate academic committee and reaudition for the appropriate faculty. This process may include reauditioning and/or placement tests in specific areas. Students who do not report their status by the end of the second semester of leave will be considered to have abandoned their degree program and to have withdrawn from the Conservatory without following the proper withdrawal procedures. The Peabody Conservatory has no obligation to former students who abandon degree programs, and former students can only return to the Conservatory by reauditioning and petitioning the appropriate committee for certification of previously earned credits.

Special Circumstances for Leave of Absence

Doctoral students may only take a leave of absence while completing their residency. Once a DMA candidate has completed the required coursework, he or she may no longer exercise the leave of absence option, but must continue to enroll for consultation 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 register for consultation or failing to pay the degree in-progress (DIP) fee for more than one year, the student must petition the DMA committee for readmission. If a petition is approved, all retroactive fees must be paid in order for the reinstatement of status to become effective. Any DMA candidate who fails to register for consultation will be dropped from the program.

Double degree students may request a leave of absence from the double degree program, but they cannot be granted leave from only the Homewood or Peabody portion of the program. A leave of absence for double degree students is subject to the guidelines of the advising office for the Krieger School of Arts and Science or the Whiting School of Engineering.

International students who request a leave of absence should be aware that federal 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 leave of absence must provide medical documentation to the school to support such a request. Medical leaves of absence cannot exceed an aggregate of one year.

Withdrawal and Readmission

Requests for total withdrawal from degree programs must be initiated in the Office of Academic Affairs. Students must make arrangements for all financial obligations, including, but not limited to, tuition, instrument loans, library fines, and residence fees. 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 associate dean in consultation with the appropriate academic committee and the major teachers who may request an audition

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