Leaves of Absences and Reinstatement Forms

Stanford requires continuous enrollment throughout your doctoral program. This means that you need to register as a full-time student (with few exceptions) each quarter of the regular academic year (summer is optional). If you do not register during the regular academic year (excluding summer) and are not on an approved leave of absence, your doctoral program will be discontinued. Reinstatement (i.e., readmission) is at the discretion of Stanford GSE and the University based upon your degree progress to date and potential for degree completion.

• Leave of Absence- fill out and submit form in Student eForms section of Axess
  The granting of leaves is at the discretion of Stanford GSE. One major consideration is good academic standing. If you meet the minimum degree progress standards (e.g., GPA greater than 3.0, appropriate milestones completed to date, etc.) you may be eligible for up to six quarters of total leave during your doctoral program. Your initial leave can be from one to three quarters in duration, and extensions can be requested for up to six quarters of total leave. In other words, you may be able to take one year of leave and then extend it one more year, if need be and with Stanford GSE approval. Because summer enrollment is optional, you do not need to take a leave of absence for Summer Quarter. If you are an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, a Bechtel International Center advisor must sign the leave form. If you receive Veteran's Benefits, the VA representative from the Registrar's Office must sign the leave form. Otherwise, only your signature is required before submitting it to the Doctoral Programs Officer in eForms, though please note that students are also responsible for discussing their plans with their advisor(s).
• Application for Reinstatement in Graduate Study
  If your program was discontinued for failing to enroll during the regular academic year, you can apply for reinstatement or readmission to the doctoral program. Reinstatement is based upon your degree progress to date and potential for completion of the PhD, and is at the discretion of Stanford GSE and the University's Graduate Admissions Office. You need to complete and sign the form, and submit it along with a check in the amount indicated on the form. The Stanford GSE Admissions Officer should receive reinstatement requests. Stanford GSE will review your application, and if approved, forward it to the Graduate Admissions Office for final review and approval.