USD students may apply for a voluntary leave of absence (a separation of the student from the university) for medical reasons through the Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) process. MLOAs are coordinated through the Wellness Area (Center for Health and Wellness Promotion, Counseling Center, and Student Health Center).
MLOAs are recommended when a student’s medical or psychological condition is judged to significantly impair their ability to function successfully or safely as a student. If a student has completed enough course work to qualify for "incompletes" that option will be explored with proper advising, but once a MLOA is approved, incompletes are not an option. It is expected that the time a student takes away from the university on medical leave will be used for treatment and recovery. It should be understood that most students require a minimum of one full semester away from USD, and participation in appropriate treatment to recover their health sufficiently to be able to obtain the requisite medical clearance to pursue re-enrollment.
- Complete and submit the Request for MLOA online form.
- Login using your MySanDiego account and password
- Obtain a recommendation from a Wellness Unit professional by making an appointment to discuss your concerns:
- For medical concerns contact the Student Health Center, Maher 140, 619-260-4595
- For psychological/emotional concerns contact the Counseling Center, SH 300, 619-260-4655
- For concerns associated with use of alcohol or drugs contact the Center for Health and Wellness Promotion (CHWP), UC 161, 619-260-4618
- A Wellness Area professional will assess your condition, review all appropriate documentation, and will determine whether to recommend to your dean’s office that you be considered for a MLOA.
- The dean’s office will determine if a MLOA can be granted and will notify you.
- Your dean’s office will determine your current coursework status, withdrawal from courses, and any requirements for reinstatement.
- Notify the Wellness Area director who issued a recommendation for a MLOA of your plans to return no later than 30 days before the start of classes:
- Complete and submit the MLOA Reinstatement Form.
- Submit this by email to Wellness@sandiego.edu
- Request each community provider you have seen during your MLOA to fully complete the Community Provider Report Form and submit directly to the Wellness Area.
- This is required so that Wellness Area professionals can best advise your dean’s office as to your readiness to return to academia. The medical information you provide is confidential and will not be shared with the dean’s office.
- Once all of your documentation has been received, the Wellness Area director will contact you to review your plan for returning to USD, and will issue a recommendation to your school’s dean. Your dean’s office will determine if you should be reinstated and will notify you.
- Contact the Dean’s Office to begin any academic planning you may need to do with them. Be sure to ask specifically what your school requires from you in order to return.
- If you have engaged in college work since leaving USD, you must request that an official transcript from each institution you attended be sent directly to your dean's office.
- Medical clearance AND approval from your dean’s office are required for reinstatement.
If your documentation is not received at least 30 days before the start of classes, consideration of your application to return from MLOA will be postponed until a later semester. Please note that documentation is reviewed as it is received; therefore, it is to your benefit to submit your materials as early as possible to begin the process of your return.