Leave of Absence: Course-Based Programs
Regular Leave of Absence
Walden University’s programs are designed to permit students to pursue their studies full time while managing the many responsibilities they have as adult professionals. The university will, however, consider a student’s request for a leave of absence if the student is experiencing hardships that make effective academic progress unusually difficult. The university defines a leave of absence as a temporary break (30–180 calendar days) from academic registration with a clear intent to return to the program of study. Students may take one or more leaves of absence for a total not to exceed 180 days in a 1-year period. This 1-year time frame starts on the first day of an elected leave of absence.
Military Leave of Absence
Military-affiliated students should make every attempt to work with their instructors to determine (a) if they need to drop their courses, (b) if they need to withdraw from their courses, or (c) if they might receive a grade of “I” (Incomplete) in the courses following the university policy for incomplete grades.
Military students who are forced to withdraw will receive a grade of “W” even if they withdraw after the last day to withdraw from classes. These students will then be required to retake those courses upon their return.
The following additional considerations are made for a student who is a member or the spouse of a member if the member has a dependent child, of the Iowa National Guard or reserve forces of the United States and who is ordered to National Guard duty or federal active duty:
- The student may make arrangements with the instructor(s) for course grades, or for incompletes to be completed by the student at a later time, which will keep the student’s registration and all tuition and fees intact.
- The student may make arrangements with only some instructors for grades, or for incompletes to be completed by the student at a later time, which will keep the student’s registration, tuition and fees intact for only those courses in which the student makes arrangements.
- Students who are forced to drop or withdraw from their classes due to military obligations will be credited the full cost of those classes for the term.
A “dependent child” is defined as someone who was claimed by a qualified military person on the qualified military person’s internal revenue service tax filing for the previous tax year.
Students may be required to submit additional documentation, as requested by the university, to support the military leave of absence considerations listed above.
To return from a military leave of absence, students must contact a member of the Student Success Advising Team, to be reinstated without penalty, and the Military Services Office, if they wish to reinstate benefits. For students on MLOA, their leave time does not count toward the total time allowed to earn their degree. Walden University’s Office of Admissions reserves the right to review course applicability to a student’s degree program, dependent upon the time elapsed between the student’s leave and when the student returns to the original program of study. Also see the Gaining Readmission in the Walden University Student Handbook.
For Iowa residents: The same options apply to a student who is the spouse of a service member described above if the service member has a dependent child.
Tuition Reduction Benefit
Only one tuition-reduction benefit may be applied to tuition at one time.
Students will forfeit any scholarship or tuition reduction they receive if they withdraw from the university or change to another degree program that is not eligible for the scholarship or tuition reduction.
Students on a leave of absence will retain their scholarship or tuition reduction if they return to the university within the time frame listed in the leave of absence policy.
Leave of Absence: Tempo Learning®
Walden University programs are designed to permit students to pursue their studies full time while managing the many responsibilities they have as adult professionals. The university will, however, consider a student's request for a leave of absence (LOA) if the student is experiencing hardships that make effective academic progress unusually difficult. An LOA is defined as a temporary break (1–5 calendar months) from academic registration with a clear intent to return to the program of study.
Tempo Learning® Leave of Absence (LOA) Policy
- If approved, a student may request an LOA during any 3-month subscription term to begin on the first day of a new term.
- LOAs may only be taken for dates between subscription terms. If students wish to leave the program prior to the end of their term, they may withdraw from the term with the understanding that there may be implications to SAP, Financial Aid, and academic standing. The LOA would begin after their scheduled term end date.
- Students must identify the date when they intend to return from LOA. The return date must align with the start of any new subscription term, which is the first Monday of any month.
- Students could forfeit a portion of their scholarship or tuition reduction if they take a leave of absence. Students are advised to review disclaimers for all tuition reductions and limited time offers and to reach out to our billing office with questions.
Requesting a Leave of Absence
Students in Tempo Learning® programs must contact their Academic Coach to verify that the university has done everything it can to help them continue their studies. Students may request a leave of absence by providing a statement in writing to their Academic Coach indicating the day they wish to begin their LOA, the reason for the LOA, as well as the date they wish to return. If unforeseen circumstances prevent a student from providing a prior written request, Walden University can document its decision to grant a student's leave of absence request, as long as the written request is received from the student before the end of the 30-day nonengagement period for the respective subscription term in which the LOA will take effect.
The registrar's office will notify the student, Faculty SME, or Academic Coach (if applicable).
Time students spend on leave of absence does not count toward students' program length. If students request a leave of absence during a time when their program deadline will expire they must first file an appeal for an extension of their program deadline and have it approved prior to the leave of absence being granted.
Students are only permitted to take a leave of absence totaling up to 5 months in any 12-month period.
Failure to Return From Leave of Absence
For Tempo Learning® students, Walden will consider the official withdrawal date for a student not returning from an LOA to be the last day of engagement. If this action is taken, the student, Academic Coach, and Bursar will be notified.