Before you submit a formal Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) request, it is important that you have information about the process and implications of taking a leave. That starts with reviewing the MLOA policy.
Steps to take a Medical Leave of Absence
Once you have determined that you would like to request a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA), please follow these steps below. Recommendations cannot be forwarded to your respective school or program until all required documentation has been completed, returned, and reviewed by the MLOA Committee.
Step 1. Request MLOA
To get started with requesting a medical leave of absence (MLOA), please complete the steps below.
Submit a request with WashU Cares
WashU Cares facilitates the MLOA process. Complete this form to let us know of your interest in taking a MLOA.
Submit a Workday request
Next, submit a leave request and select “medical” for reason for leave. This notifies your school about your plan to request a MLOA.
Sign the MLOA policy
Please read and sign a copy of the MLOA policy. You can submit this to us via email at studentmedleave@wustl.edu
If you are ready to request a MLOA or if you have questions about the process or the required documentation, please schedule a meeting with a leave case manager.
Step 2. Information about the medical/mental health reason for leave
All students will need to provide information about the medical/mental health reason for which they need a leave of absence within five business days of your MLOA request. There are three documentation options, which are listed below. Only one of the following forms of MLOA documentation is required. All documentation must be written in English from the medical provider or translated by a licensed professional translation service.
1. On Campus Providers
If you are working with a medical or mental health provider at Student Health Services (Danforth Campus) or Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, please ask them to complete the MLOA provider documentation. The first step would be to complete and upload the appropriate release of information form (hyperlinked above), to your student health portal, which allows them to share information related to your MLOA with the Leave Case Manager.
2. External provider
Ask your healthcare provider to complete the MLOA provider documentation in PDF format and return it to the MLOA team by fax or email.
- Fax: 314-970-9093
3. Personal statement
If you are not currently connected with a healthcare provider, you can complete the MLOA personal statement and email it to the Medical Leave Coordinator.
Step 3: Administrative and Academic Processes
If an MLOA is recommended, the MLOA Committee will send a letter of recommendation, including recommended effective date, to the student’s School. The school will make the final decision and notify the student and campus partners in writing of its determination. The designated School official will inform the student of the status of their current coursework, withdrawal from classes, and conditions for reinstatement.
Your college/school may place academic conditions on your return based on curriculum sequencing, time to degree requirements, or academic actions that will be determined and communicated to you by the end of the term.
Deadlines to request a Medical Leave of Absence
Students must submit all necessary paperwork, including approval from their School or department, no later than the last day of classes by 5 p.m. to allow their school to determine the outcome of an MLOA request for for the current semester. Any request submitted beyond this deadline will be considered for the following semester.
Duration of Medical Leave of Absence
The following conditions apply.
- You may not return from a leave within the semester that the leave was taken.
- The duration of the leave will depend upon the time you need for treatment and/or recovery and the resolution of academic conditions.
While on Medical Leave of Absence
You will not be a registered student and this impacts your access to university services.
Staying in touch with staff, faculty, and other students can help you maintain your ties to Wash U and prepare to resume your studies.
The Leave Case Manager and your school’s student services office or graduate program directory are key resources to help you stay connected and find answers to your questions.