Required Withdrawal for Academic Reasons
Students will normally be required to withdraw if they do not make adequate academic progress according to the timelines and policies set by their home graduate program and/or the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. When a student is required to withdraw, the academic record will indicate "required to withdraw". The decision to withdraw a student for academic reasons is made by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
A student in any graduate program who is required to withdraw will not normally be eligible to apply for readmission to the University for at least one year. After one year, students who have been required to withdraw from a graduate program may be admitted to a different program in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies provided they meet all admission requirements in effect for that program at the time they apply. Such applications must be accompanied by a statement from the graduate program which recommended withdrawal outlining the reasons for which the student was required to withdraw. Students who have been required to withdraw from a graduate program may also apply to be readmitted to the same program after at least one year has passed from the effective date of withdrawal. Compelling evidence must be presented that a more successful outcome is likely if the student is to be readmitted. All cases for readmission must be reviewed and approved by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Students required to withdraw from a graduate program more than once are not eligible to be considered for admission to any program in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Voluntary Withdrawal
A student wishing voluntarily to withdraw from the University must notify the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the graduate advisor in the home graduate program in writing. When the withdrawal is processed, the academic record will indicate "voluntary withdrawal," the date of withdrawal and a standing of W in all courses not completed on that date.
A student who does not complete formal withdrawal procedures will be liable for all assessed fees until such procedures are completed.
Withdrawal for Non-Registration
A student who fails to register and/or becomes absent without leave from their program (or, for programs that do not offer formal leave, without appropriate permission) for two or more consecutive terms will normally be withdrawn from the program. The academic record will indicate "withdrawal - did not register." Graduate programs must document that an attempt was made to contact a missing student when recommending a withdrawal for non-registration, and must attempt contact using email, mail, and registered mail.
Required to Withdraw for Non-Academic Reasons
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies reserves the right to require a student to withdraw from a program of study if the Faculty, in consultation with the graduate program, considers the student to be unsuited to proceed with the study or practice of the chosen discipline or field of study. Request to withdraw for non-academic reasons would not prevent the student from immediately applying for entry into a different program of study. The decision to withdraw a student for non-academic reasons is made by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Reinstatement
This applies when a student's registration has lapsed but the student is permitted to resume the program. Normally, if the student is reinstated, courses that have been completed will be credited to the degree, and only outstanding degree requirements must be completed. The student's start date remains the date of initial entry to the program and the time limit for completion of the degree is not affected.
A student may be reinstated on the recommendation of the graduate program if:
- the student is in good academic standing,
- any delinquent fees or charges are paid including tuition and continuing fees owing for the period during which the student did not register, and
- the time limit for degree completion, including the sessions in which the student was not registered, has not expired.
Sometimes, even if the student is reinstated, they do not have enough time left to complete the outstanding degree requirements. A decision, based on the academic merits of the case, will determine whether the student should be readmitted as a new student or reinstated. In the latter case, an extension of the time limit may be requested. In addition, if more than two years have elapsed since the student last registered, the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies may impose additional requirements to ensure that the student is current in the field and is academically prepared to complete the degree requirements.
A student who is required to withdraw for academic reasons is not eligible for reinstatement.
Readmission
This applies when it is appropriate to admit a student who was previously registered, as if for the first time. An application for admission, whether to the same or a different program, will be evaluated as a new application. A new application form and application fee must be submitted.
A maximum of 40% of the total number of required credits of previously completed coursework may be applied toward the new graduate program requirements, provided the courses were completed no longer than five years from the date of readmission. Courses eligible for transfer must have been awarded a grade of at least B (74%). Normal program requirements apply, as does the standard time allowed for degree completion: five years for a master's student; six years for a doctoral student.