A Leave of Absence offers a student the opportunity to leave the law school temporarily with the assurance that the student will be able to return and resume studies so long as the student complies with the Leave of Absence terms. To obtain a Leave of Absence, a student must demonstrate that the student is experiencing an extenuating circumstance that is preventing the student from successfully completing their courses. Requests for a Leave of Absence must be submitted before the end of the academic semester and no later than five calendar days before the last day of classes. If you are experiencing significant non-academic challenges, please meet with Associate Dean of Students Carol Chestnut as soon as possible to discuss whether a leave of absence might be appropriate and/or beneficial. Also, please be sure to review the Leave of Absence policy in its entirety. This policy is included in Rule 1.11-04 of your Student Handbook. For more information, you can also contact Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Kia Vernon or Registrar David Williams.
Withdrawing from law school is different from a Leave of Absence. While students who secure a Leave of Absence maintain their NCCU email accounts and may continue to receive services from the Office of Wellness, a student who formally withdraws is no longer considered a student of the university and no longer has access to any university services or benefits. A student who has withdrawn but who later would like to return to law school is required to file a formal Petition for Readmission with the Office of Academic Affairs, which will be evaluated by the Standards Committee. You can review the Withdrawal policy in its entirety in Rule 1.11-04 of your Student Handbook. For more information, you can also contact Associate Dean of Students Carol Chestnut, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Kia Vernon, or Registrar David Williams.