If you plan to leave Brown for one or more semesters before you receive your degree, you may apply for a leave of absence. Applications for leaves of absence (with the exception of medical or mental health leaves) should be sent to the Graduate School at least four weeks before the start of the semester in which the leave is to be taken. Leaves of absence are normally granted for one to two semesters. To extend a leave, students must file extensions with their Director of Graduate Studies prior to the expiration of the leave. Students who do not file the extension request will receive a warning from the Graduate School and may be automatically withdrawn from their graduate program.

The Director of Graduate Studies should make clear, in writing, if there are conditions that must be met before a student may return from a leave of absence.