Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA)

The purpose of a voluntary medical leave of absence is to provide students with time away from campus for treatment of a physical or mental health condition that impairs a student’s ability to function safely and successfully as a member of the law school community. A voluntary MLOA is processed through the Student Services Office. Each leave is individualized based on the needs of the student and handled on a case-by-case basis.

Prior to completing any of the forms listed below, students must first meet with Susie Spies Roth or Jocelyn Francoeur if you are a 1L to describe your circumstances and share your intention to take a leave or apply for reinstatement.

Leave Request Forms

Students can apply for a MLOA at any time, but for a MLOA to take effect during an ongoing semester, the MLOA application must be submitted before 5:00 PM Friday during the 10th week of classes in such semester.

Chicago Counseling and Psychological Services Medical Leave of Absence Request Form

University Health Services Medical Leave of Absence Request Form

Reinstatement Request Forms

To begin the reinstatement process you must complete the relevant form provided below by 5:00 PM Friday eight weeks prior to the commencement of the semester in which you intend to resume your studies at the Law School.

Chicago Counseling and Psychological Services Medical Leave of Absence Reinstatement Form

In order to complete the CAPS Reinstatement Form you must first complete the following:

Give a copy of your MLOA letter to your treatment provider(s);
Complete all of the treatment recommendations listed in your MLOA letter;
Ensure that your treatment provider(s) has completed the Health Care Provider Report Form and submit it electronically to CAPS. You can find the form here: https://www.northwestern.edu/counseling/clinical-services/medical-leave-of-absence/health-care-provider-report.html;
Complete and upload new releases of information (ROI) forms for each of your treatment providers and the Law School Student Services Office. You can find those forms here: https://www.northwestern.edu/counseling/clinical-services/medical-leave-of-absence/roi-blank.pdf;
Notify your treatment provider(s) that a CAPS clinician will be reaching out by phone to discuss your treatment.

University Health Services MLOA Reinstatement Form

In order to complete the UHS Reinstatement Form you must first complete the following:

Submit a copy of your MLOA letter to your treatment provider(s);
Complete all of the treatment recommendations listed in your MLOA letter;
Obtain a letter indicating readiness to return to coursework from your treatment provider(s). You will submit this to UHS during your reinstatement interview.
Complete and upload new release of information (ROI) forms for UHS to communicate the reinstatement recommendation with Law School Student Services Office. The Authorization for Release of Medical Information Form can be found at https://wwws.law.northwestern.edu/student-life/student-services/documents/uhsform.pdf.

After you have submitted the reinstatement form, please contact UHS at (312.695.8134) to schedule a reinstatement interview. UHS will need to review your documentation and speak with your provider(s) prior to your reinstatement interview.

Additional Information

For Registration assistance and planning, reach out to the Registrar at law-registrar@law.northwestern.edu.
For information regarding loan eligibility and funding and/or to discuss how to defer loans that go into repayment, reach out to the Chicago Office of Financial Aid at financial-aid-chicago@northwestern.edu.
During your medical leave, a registration hold will be placed on your account. This hold will be removed once you are reinstated.
Please note that your NetID may expire while you are on leave causing you to lose access; it will be reactivated once you are reinstated.
Contact your Career Adviser to discuss job opportunities and recruitment timing.

If you have questions related to a Medical Leave of Absence, please reach out to Candace Bergeron Lenard.