Leave of Absence (LOA)

LOA is a period of non-enrollment during which a student is not considered to be working toward the MD degree. This may be to pursue other degree opportunities, including a MPH degree at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, or for personal and/or medical reasons.

Advanced Studies Program Status (ASPS) 

ASPS is a period of non-enrollment during which a student completes a formal, approved, research experience with faculty at Hopkins or outside of Hopkins, such as the Dean's Year of Research and NIH Medical Research Scholars Program.

If you are considering taking a LOA or an ASPS

Notify [email protected] that you would like to discuss taking a LOA or ASPS and request a meeting with an OMSA dean (typically the dean assigned to your college). You will discuss the details of your proposed status change and have any questions answered around academic progress, career planning, and administrative procedures.

We encourage you to also discuss plans with your CAP advisor.

Next steps after meeting with OMSA

For ASPS, OMSA will prepare a letter that will be sent to you, the Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, and Student Benefits. The letter is your official documentation that you are on ASPS. During ASPS, you will continue to have access to your student health insurance (unless this is waived) and you will pay a nominal continued enrollment fee. You are expected to regularly monitor your JHMI email account. Thirty days prior to your scheduled return date, you should notify OMSA of your intent to return or if you would like to discuss an extension of your ASPS. If your extension is not approved prior to the end of your expected date of return, you may be responsible for tuition and/or other fees. You will work with the Registrar’s office to register for coursework prior to your return.

For a LOA, after discussing plans with OMSA, you will submit a leave request form which can be found on the University-wide LOA website. The website provides guidance around what kinds of reasons a student can request a LOA, expectations during the LOA, and frequently asked questions. Per the Student Leave of Absence Policy (effective January 22, 2024), LOAs are limited to one year and can be extended one additional year. After two years, medical students will be considered withdrawn from the University. This policy does not apply to dual degree students who are on LOA to complete their second degree. Instructions on returning from voluntary leave can also be found on the University LOA website. You will work with the Registrar’s office to register for coursework prior to your return.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Medical Student Affairs at [email protected] or 410-955-3416 or one of the student affairs deans.