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Leaves of Absence

Students desiring to take a leave of absence should schedule a meeting with the Director of the Office of Student Affairs to discuss the leave of absence. All leaves must be approved by the Director or their designee, in the Office of Student Affairs. There are two primary types of leave:

  • Medical Leave of Absence: This type of leave is first initiated in the Office of Student Affairs and then transitions to the ESOP embedded counselor, UNC Campus Health and/or UNC Counseling and Psychological Services. A medical leave can be initiated at any point during a semester for both physical and mental health concerns that are acutely impacting the student’s ability to successfully continue within the program. The leave is officially considered and approved by the ESOP embedded counselor, UNC Campus Health and/or UNC Counseling and Psychological Services.
  • Administrative Leave of Absence: This type of leave is initiated and managed within the Office of Student Affairs. An administrative leave can only be initiated between academic semesters – not while classes are actively in session. An administrative leave serves a broad range of purposes such as a personal hardship.

Students enrolled in the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, who are approved to take a leave of absence, may return to the School within one calendar year of the date of leave. Upon the desire to readmit, the student should schedule a meeting with the Director of the Office of Student Affairs regarding the readmission process.

Students who have been absent from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy for more than one year from last enrollment must reapply for admission to the School and must compete for readmission with the other applicants for the entering class in that year. In situations involving medical leave, it is possible to extend the one year leave on a case-by-case basis. If the student is approved for readmission to the School at a point beyond one calendar year, the Scholastic Achievement and Progression Committee will review the student’s transcript and make recommendations for completing the program. Students may be required to re-take some or all previously completed coursework in the Eshelman School of Pharmacy PharmD curriculum or complete competency testing.