1.13 Leave of Absence
Students may request a leave of absence in the circumstances below:
A student has completed at least the first semester but needs to take time off from school for a semester or more.
Such requests must be submitted in writing to the Academic Dean. A student will not be regarded as having been granted a leave of absence unless their written request is approved, in writing, by the Academic Dean. A leave of absence may be granted for up to one year. If a student cannot return within that period, the student must request an extension of the leave of absence in writing.
Students who withdraw during their first semester of law school are not eligible for a leave of absence. If the circumstances surrounding their decision to leave and the application details would have made them eligible for an admission deferment, such students may be eligible for re-admission in the following or a later semester. In these cases, students must make a written request seeking re-admission. These students will be notified, in writing, of the requirements for re-admission consideration. If the student meets these requirements, re-admission decisions in these cases will be made jointly by the Dean of Admissions and the Academic Dean. In writing, the student will be notified of the outcome of this process and, if re-admission is granted, of the terms and conditions of re-admission. If re-admission is not granted through this process, the student can re-apply to the Law School for admission through the regular admissions process.
If a student officially withdraws during a semester, grades of Withdrawal (W) appear on the transcript for the courses in which the student was enrolled. A student granted a leave of absence who wishes to return to the Law School must submit a re-entry application to the Registrar’s Office at least 90 days before the beginning of the semester you wish to re-enter. If you have been on leave for three consecutive semesters at the time of re-entry, you must contact the Bursar’s Office and arrange payment of a $20 non-refundable re-entry fee. Students should make an appointment to meet with the Academic Dean before re-entering.
Transcripts will indicate any semesters for which a student was granted a leave of absence.
Leave of Absence due to Pregnancy
Pregnant students are also entitled to leaves of absence from their education program or activity for pregnancy and related conditions. Students are allowed to voluntarily take a leave of absence from their education program or activity to cover, at minimum, the period of time deemed medically necessary by the student’s licensed healthcare provider. A longer period may be available to the extent a student qualifies for leave under any CUNY policy that allows for a greater period of time than the medically necessary period. When the student returns to their education program or activity, the student will be reinstated to the academic status and, as practicable, to the extracurricular status that the student held when the voluntary leave began.
CUNY School of Law does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student’s doctor, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work.
Students needing assistance can reach out to the Office of Student Affairs, suite 5/110, tel. 718-340-4207 studentaffairsoffice@law.cuny.edu or the Title IX Coordinator room 4/321, tel. 718-340-4285.
Students are strongly advised to consult the Office of Academic Affairs at academicdeanoffice@law.cuny.edu to assess the effect of any leave on academic attendance requirements provided in Standard 304 of the ABA Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools and Section 520.3 of the New York Court of Appeals Rules on Law Study.