Leave of Absence

It is the experience of CalSouthern that students who pursue an uninterrupted course of study have the highest probability of successfully completing their degree programs. CalSouthern also realizes that adult learners face unforeseen circumstances in their lives requiring temporary breaks in enrollment or interruption of their program of study, and as such has a Leave of Absence (LOA) policy to aid degree-seeking students when professional or personal obligations may prevent a student from participating in a future term.

The Leave of Absence (LOA) policy is applicable to all officially admitted and enrolled degree-seeking students at CalSouthern. Leaves of Absence are limited* to a maximum of 180 days in any 12-month period, including breaks and holidays. The 180-day period begins on the first day of the original LOA and may be limited to a shorter period based on available term start dates. LOA can be approved in increments of one month without exceeding the 180-day maximum cumulative time of leave in a consecutive 12-month timeframe. The request must be submitted in writing to the Academic Advisor and must be taken between course enrollments and may not interrupt an ongoing course. In the case of a need to interrupt an ongoing course, the student should contact their Academic Advisor for further assistance. If a student requests a Leave of Absence and is unable to submit the appropriate documentation within their allotted time frame, the student should contact their Academic Advisor for further assistance. If the student fails to meet LOA requirements, including documentation, and does not continue with their current course, the student may be at risk for non-continuous enrollment.

A leave of absence may be requested for (but not limited to) the following reasons: military, medical, jury duty, family care, etc.

A degree-seeking student may be granted a Leave of Absence (LOA) if the following requirements are met:

The LOA request is submitted in writing no more than one month before the requested LOA is set to begin, and no later than the end of the add/drop period of the term in which the LOA is requested. Requests must include the reason for the LOA and the return date.
Students may request multiple LOAs, but the total number of months the learner remains on LOA may not exceed 180 days* during a consecutive 12-month timeframe.
Prior to applying for an LOA, the learner must have completed their most recent term. An LOA may not be taken in the first term of a student's program.
Students must be in good academic standing and/or are not subject to disqualifications or dismissal due to academic deficiencies or disciplinary action.

While on a leave of absence, all tuition/fee and payment commitments remain in force. For more information on the student's finance and payment status, students must contact accounting@calsouthern.edu.

Students who decide not to return to the University must formally withdraw their registration in accordance with the Withdrawal from the University policy. To do so, students should contact their Academic Advisor/Learner Support Services at least one week prior to the expiration of the leave of absence and complete a withdrawal form. At the time of withdrawal, students are advised of the conditions under which they might resume their studies should their circumstances change and decide to return at a future date. Upon the end of the approved leave of absence timeframe, students who do not return will be subject to being administratively withdrawn from the University after 30 days from the stated return date.

*Days spent in Internal Pause status count toward the combined limit for Internal Pause and Leave of Absence. A student may not exceed 180 total days in these statuses in a 12-month period, whether the statuses are used consecutively or at separate times during the 12-month period.