UIWSOM Absence Request

COVID-19 Related Absence - This form is intended for use only for those individuals seeking an excused absence due to a diagnosis, unvaccinated close contact exposure, or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. 

Personal Days - Learners are permitted to take two personal days per academic year which do not count as absences. Personal days are not to be taken during an assessment period, scheduled or mandatory workshops, such as DOCS and/or STRX. Personal Day Absence Requests must be submitted a minimum of five days prior. Failure to do so may result in a professionalism violation. 

The Student Handbook, which contains additional information regarding absences, can be found on the Current Students Page.

Short Term Absence - When an absence is necessary and anticipated, learners must submit a Short-Term Absence From. This form must be completed at least ten business days prior to the event. 

When an absence is the result of an unexpected occurrence, learners must complete a Short-Term Absence Form as soon as possible, but no later than the first date of return to campus. 

Absence from class for medical issues (self or immediate family), military obligation, civic duties, professional activities, funerals (immediate family), traffic accidents, and other exceptional situations are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Examples of unexcused absences include weddings, vacations, birthday, and other family non-emergency events. This list is not inclusive of all circumstances. The request is not considered approved until receipt of an affirmative response from the OASA or OCA. 

Learners with more than five single day excused absences (per academic year) or any unexcused absences will be referred to OASA and may also be referred to the SPC. All unexcused absences will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropiate course of action. 

The Student Handbook, which contains additional information regarding absences, can be found on the Current Students Page.

***The Extended Leave of Absence process below applies to DO program only. MBS learners must use: UIW Leave of Absence Request

Extended Leave of Absence - An absence of more than seven consecutive days is considered an extended leave of absence. An extended leave of absence may be requested for academic or medical reasons, finances, family leave, active military deployment, and other exceptional situations considered on a case-by-case basis. A leave of absence request must be approved by the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, in consultation with appropriate faculty, staff, and administrators.

Please review the Student Handbook for detailed information on eligibility requirements, approval process, term limits, etc.

Prior to submitting this Extended Leave of Absence Request, it is recommended to meet with the following representatives to discuss the impact of your LOA.

Phase I Learner:

• Office of Admissions and Student Affairs - Ms. Ladonna Davidson*
• Phase I Co-Director of Curriculum Integration - Dr. Jessica Bradley*
• Academic Support - Dr. Sarah Lang
• Enrollment Services - Ms. Celia Velez
  *Discussion can be combined

Phase II Learner:

• Office of Admissions and Student Affairs -  Ms. Ladonna Davidson*
• Phase II Co-Director of Curriculum Integration - Dr. Lori Kels*
• Office of Clinical Affairs - Dr. David Garza*
• Academic Support - Dr. Sarah Lang
• Enrollment Services - Ms. Celia Velez
  *Discussion can be combined

MPH Learner:

• Office of Admissions and Student Affairs - Ms. Ladonna Davidson
• MPH Director - Dr. Karen Jaceldo-Siegl
• Enrollment Services - Ms. Celia Velez

Administrative Leave of Absence - An administrative leave of absence is one that is granted or required by the Associate Dean of Medical and Interprofessional Education or the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs for a student who requests of requires a leave of absence lasting between 8 days and 180 days. Reasons for an Administrative Leave of Absence include:

•    Death of a spouse, partner, child or immediate family member.
•    Critical illness of a spouse, partner, child or immediate family member.
•    Significant life events that warrant an interruption in the student's education.
•    Activities or programs that OMIE, OCA or SPC require.

Educational Leave of Absence - When accepted to a dual degree academic program (such as DO/MBA, DO/MPH) or in a structured research program that has prior approval by UIWSOM administration, the student may be placed on an approved Educational Leave of Absence from the DO program to complete the dual degree program. An Educational Leave of Absence is generally limited to one year.

Medical Leave of Absence - Clarification or substantiation for the medical leave of absence may be required if the medical leave is not common for the medical condition, to confirm that a medical condition exists, or if a second opinion from a physician is warranted.