Academic Leaves

Medical leave is a period of absence for graduate students from academic and research work intended to allow time for treatment of and recovery from mental and/or physical conditions that interfere with a student’s ability to participate in campus life, including their ability to complete or make satisfactory progress towards academic goals. 

For graduate students, medical leaves are granted or required by the Office of Graduate Education (OGE).

To start the process, email gradsupport@mit.edu to schedule an appointment. 

A student on approved medical leave retains student status but is unable to particpate in course or to hold any time of employment at MIT.

Click here for more information on requesting a medical leave

A student who discontinues graduate study for one or more academic terms, and who is not on an approved medical leave or on leave for National Service, is required to notify their department. The department will then inform the Registrar, and the student will be formally recorded as withdrawn from the Institute.

Students seeking a non-medical leave must obtain approval from the MSRED Program Director and submit a Non-Medical Leave Request to the Graduate Administrator. Failure to follow this process may impede future re-enrollment. At the time the leave is approved, an expected return date will be established. Extensions beyond the approved return date will be granted only in rare circumstances.

While on non-medical leave, a student no longer maintains student status and will lose access to Institute resources.

MIT ID card swipe access will be deactivated within 48 hours of withdrawal. MIT email accounts will remain active until the next annual deactivation cycle (typically in January). The Center for Real Estate cannot sponsor continued email access for students who have withdrawn from the program.

Click here for more information for withdrawing from the program