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Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Program
Leave of Absence (LOA) Policy
Effective Date: 11/1/2026
Responsible Office: Program Director
Review Cycle: Annually
Related ARC-PA Standards: A3.15, A3.17, A3.19, B3.01, B3.02, C1.01, C1.02
Purpose
The National Louis University (NLU) Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Program recognizes that unforeseen circumstances may require a student to temporarily interrupt enrollment. This policy establishes the procedures governing a Leave of Absence (LOA) while maintaining compliance with National Louis University policies, ARC-PA Accreditation Standards, and the competency-based, sequential nature of physician assistant education. The MSPAS Program follows the University's Leave of Absence Policy as published in the current National Louis University Academic Catalog. Because the PA curriculum is delivered in a lock- step cohort model with sequential didactic and supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs), additional Program-specific requirements apply to ensure that students successfully achieve all required competencies before graduation.
Policy Statement
A Leave of Absence (LOA) is a temporary interruption in enrollment approved by the Program and the University for students who experience significant circumstances that prevent continued participation in the curriculum.
Examples may include, but are not limited to:
Personal medical conditions
•
Family medical emergencies
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• Military deployment or service obligations
Jury duty
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Pregnancy or childbirth
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Family responsibilities
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Financial hardship
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• Other extraordinary circumstances beyond the student's reasonable control
An approved LOA is intended to provide students with the opportunity to return and successfully complete the Program while preserving academic integrity and patient safety.
Granting an LOA is not automatic and is subject to Program and University approval.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an LOA, students must generally:
• Be currently enrolled in the MSPAS Program.
• Be in good academic and professional standing, unless the leave request is directly related to the extenuating circumstance.
• Demonstrate a reasonable expectation of returning to complete the curriculum.
• Meet with the Program Director or designated faculty advisor.
• Submit all required documentation supporting the request.
Students who are under investigation for professionalism or academic misconduct are not automatically eligible for an LOA, and each request will be reviewed individually.
Request Procedure
Students requesting a Leave of Absence shall:
1. Notify the PA Program Director as soon as reasonably possible.
2. Meet with their faculty advisor or PA Program Director.
3. Develop an individualized Academic Completion and Return Plan.
4. Complete the official National Louis University Leave of Absence Request Form.
5. Submit all required supporting documentation.
6. Obtain all required Program and University approvals.
The PA Program Director shall review the request and determine whether the proposed leave is consistent with student success, academic progression, accreditation requirements, and available cohort placement. The completed request shall be forwarded to the appropriate University office in accordance with National Louis University procedures.
Academic Completion and Return Plan
Prior to approval, the student and Program shall develop a written plan addressing:
Coursework completed
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Remaining coursework
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Laboratory competencies
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Clinical skills competencies
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• Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs)
Summative assessments
•
• Remediation requirements (if applicable)
Expected return term
•
Revised graduation timeline
•
The Return Plan shall become part of the student's academic record.
Duration of Leave
The Program follows National Louis University policy regarding approved Leave of Absence durations.
Ordinarily:
• A leave should not exceed 180 calendar days within a rolling 12-month period , unless otherwise required by law or approved by the University.
• Additional leave requests require documentation and PA Program approval.
• Each request is evaluated individually.
Because the PA curriculum is cohort-based, the timing of return may depend upon the availability of the appropriate cohort and required courses.
Academic Progression
The MSPAS curriculum is competency-based and sequential.
Students returning from an approved Leave of Absence may be required to:
Repeat selected courses.
•
Repeat laboratory instruction.
•
Repeat simulation activities.
•
Repeat clinical rotations.
•
• Demonstrate competency through reassessment.
Complete additional remediation.
•
Placement into a returning cohort shall be determined by the Student Evaluation and Progress Committee (SEPC) and approved by the Program Director.
Students are not guaranteed re-entry into the same cohort.
Clinical Education Considerations
Students returning during or after Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences shall demonstrate continued readiness for patient care.
Prior to returning to clinical education, the PA Program may require:
• Updated immunization documentation.
Current background check.
•
• Drug screening, if required by clinical affiliates.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Updated OSHA and HIPAA training.
•
Clinical skills reassessment.
•
Technical standards verification.
•
Clinical competency remediation.
•
Additional affiliate-specific requirements may also apply.
Effect on Degree Completion
Students are expected to complete all degree requirements within the maximum timeframe established by National Louis University. Although an approved Leave of Absence may pause enrollment in accordance with university policy, students must still satisfy all current PA Program competencies, course learning outcomes, and graduation requirements in effect at the time of re-entry, as determined by the PA Program Director and PA Curriculum Committee. When curriculum revisions have occurred during the student's absence, additional coursework or competency assessments may be required to ensure readiness for graduation and entry into clinical practice.
Financial Aid and Registration
Students are responsible for consulting with:
Financial Aid
•
Student Accounts
•
Registrar
•
Veterans Affairs (if applicable)
•
• International Student Services (if applicable)
before requesting a Leave of Absence.
Students receiving federal or private educational loans should understand that an approved Leave of Absence may affect loan repayment, grace periods, and financial aid eligibility.
Failure to Return
Students who do not return by the approved date and who have not received an extension may be administratively withdrawn from the University.
Students seeking to return after withdrawal must comply with National Louis University re-entry or readmission requirements and any additional MSPAS Program requirements.
Readmission is not automatic and depends upon:
Available cohort space.
•
Curriculum changes.
•
Student academic standing.
•
Accreditation requirements.
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Clinical placement availability.
•
Student Responsibilities Upon Return
Prior to re-enrollment, students shall:
Meet with the Program Director.
•
• Review and update the Academic Completion Plan.
Complete any required remediation.
•
• Meet all health, immunization, and clinical clearance requirements.
• Demonstrate continued compliance with the Program's Technical Standards.
• Complete any additional competency assessments required by the Program.
Appeals
Students may appeal Leave of Absence decisions through the NLU MSPAS Academic Grievance Policy and the National Louis University Academic Appeal procedures as outlined in the Student Guidebook and Academic Catalog.
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
The Leave of Absence Policy is reviewed annually by the Student Evaluation and Progress Committee, Curriculum and Outcomes Review Committee, and PA Faculty and Staff Committee as part of the Program's Continuous Quality Improvement process.
Program assessment data include:
• Number of Leave of Absence requests
Reasons for leave
•
Return-to-program rates
•
Graduation rates
•
Attrition
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Time-to-degree completion
•
Student progression
•
Clinical progression
•
Remediation outcomes
•
Student success measures
•
Recommendations are incorporated into the Program's Annual Effectiveness Report and used to improve student support services and academic progression.
Evidence for ARC-PA Self-Study
ARC-PA Standard
Evidence of Compliance
Published Leave of Absence policy available to all students and applied consistently.
A3.15
Clearly defined procedures governing academic progression, interruption of enrollment, and return to study.
A3.17
A3.19
Student due process and appeal procedures for Leave of Absence decisions.
Individualized academic plans ensure students achieve all required competencies before graduation.
B3.01
Student progression decisions following an LOA are based on documented competency assessments and faculty review.
B3.02
Annual review of Leave of Absence trends, progression, retention, and graduation outcomes through the Program's CQI process.
C1.01
Continuous evaluation and revision of LOA procedures based on program assessment data and stakeholder feedback.
C1.02
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