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Request a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA)
Students in the Feinberg School of Medicine, the Kellogg School of Management, the School of Professional Studies, and the Pritzker School of Law do not follow the links below. You must contact your academic dean's office regarding the medical leave of absence and reinstatement processes for your program.
Students in the Counseling@Northwestern (online Counseling) master’s program, do not follow the links below. Please email Stephannee Standefer.
UNDERGRADUATE
Step 1 - Apply for MLOA
To request a medical leave of absence, please go to: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?NorthwesternUniv&layout_id=100
Step 2 - Contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or the Health Service
Students must work with either Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or Health Services.
CAPS (for mental health related requests).
After completing the MLOA application, students requesting a mental health-related Medical Leave of Absence must visit the Medical Leave of Absence page of the CAPS website for next steps and additional information.
- Searle Hall
- 633 Emerson, Second floor
- Phone: 847-491-2151
- CAPS website
Health Service (for physical health related requests).
Students should submit the following information:- Letter of support for leave from their managing physician (even if it is a Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service physician). The letter or additional documents should include:
- Diagnosis and relevant medical history
- Current treatment
- Treatment plan for medical leave of absence period
- Expected outcome of treatment during the medical leave of absence
- Test results supporting the diagnosis
- Completed release of information to allow for communication from Northwestern Medicine Student Health Services to Northwestern University Dean of Students
Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service will need all documents before a final determination for medical leave is granted. Recommendations are unable to be processed until all documentation is received. This can be a time sensitive request, so please allow enough time to gather all necessary documents.
Searle Hall
633 Emerson Street
Phone: 847-491-8100
Health Service website
Step 3 - Contact Dean of Students Office
Approximately 3-5 business days following the completion of Step 2, the student should hear from a Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) staff member regarding an appointment. If not, the student should contact the Dean of Students office for a medical leave of absence appointment with a member of the Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) program.
Appointments cannot be scheduled until recommendations have been received.
- Dean of Students Office
- 601 University Place
- Scott Hall, Lower level
- Phone: 847-491-8430
- Dean of Students website
GRADUATE - NON TGS
Step 1 - Apply for MLOA
Step 2 - Contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or the Health Service
Students must work with either Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or Health Services.
CAPS (for mental health related requests)
After completing the MLOA application, students requesting a mental health-related Medical Leave of Absence must visit the Medical Leave of Absence page of the CAPS website for next steps and additional information.
- Searle Hall
- 633 Emerson, Second floor
- Phone: 847-491-2151
- CAPS website
Health Service (for physical health related requests)
Students should submit the following information:- Letter of support for leave from their managing physician (even if it is a Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service physician). The letter or additional documents should include:
- Diagnosis and relevant medical history
- Current treatment
- Treatment plan for medical leave of absence period
- Expected outcome of treatment during the medical leave of absence
- Test results supporting the diagnosis
- Completed release of information to allow for communication from Northwestern Medicine Student Health Services to Northwestern University Dean of Students
This information can be submitted online through your MyChart (MyNM portal).
Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service will need all documents before a final determination for medical leave is granted. Recommendations are unable to be processed until all documentation is received. This can be a time sensitive request, so please allow enough time to gather all necessary documents.
Searle Hall
633 Emerson Street
Phone: 847-491-8100
Health Service website
Step 3 - Contact Dean of Students Office
Approximately 3-5 business days following the completion of Step 2, the student should hear from a Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) staff member regarding an appointment. If not, the student should contact the Dean of Students office for a medical leave of absence appointment with a member of the Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) program.
Appointments cannot be scheduled until recommendations have been received.
Dean of Students Office
601 University Place
Scott Hall, Lower level
Phone: 847-491-8430
Dean of Students website
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
Step 1 - Apply for MLOA
Step 2 - Contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or the Health Service
Students must work with either Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or Health Services.
CAPS (for mental health related requests)
After completing the MLOA application, students requesting a mental health-related Medical Leave of Absence must visit the Medical Leave of Absence page of the CAPS website for next steps and additional information.- Searle Hall
- 633 Emerson, Second floor
- Phone: 847-491-2151
- CAPS website
Health Service (for physical health related requests)
Students should submit the following information:- Letter of support for leave from their managing physician (even if it is a Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service physician). The letter or additional documents should include:
- Diagnosis and relevant medical history
- Current treatment
- Treatment plan for medical leave of absence period
- Expected outcome of treatment during the medical leave of absence
- Test results supporting the diagnosis
- Completed release of information to allow for communication from Northwestern Medicine Student Health Services to Northwestern University Dean of Students
This information can be submitted online through your MyChart (MyNM portal).
Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service will need all documents before a final determination for medical leave is granted. Recommendations are unable to be processed until all documentation is received. This can be a time sensitive request, so please allow enough time to gather all necessary documents.
Searle Hall
633 Emerson Street
Phone: 847-491-8100
Health Service website
Step 3 - Contact Dean of Students Office
Approximately 3-5 business days following the completion of Step 2, the student should hear from a Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) staff member regarding an appointment. If not, the student should contact the Dean of Students office for a medical leave of absence appointment with a member of the Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) program.
Appointments cannot be scheduled until recommendations have been received.- Dean of Students Office
- 601 University Place
- Scott Hall, Lower level
- Phone: 847-491-8430
- Dean of Students website
Once all necessary approvals are obtained, TGS will update the student’s record to reflect that the student is on an approved medical leave of absence.