Chapter 3
Matriculation to Graduation

3.17 Withdrawal from the University

See also PRR regulation(s): REG 02.15.7, REG 02.05.4

 
  1. Procedure for Permanent Withdrawal
  2. Procedure for Temporary Withdrawal
  3. Late Withdrawals
  4. Retroactive Withdrawal
  5. Effect of Withdrawal on Meeting the Continuous Registration Requirement
  6. Effect of Withdrawal on Permanent Record
    7.

 

A. Procedure for Permanent Withdrawal
 
  1. A student who wishes to withdraw permanently form the University must first notify his/her department or program in writing.

  2. The Director of Graduate Programs (DGP) then forwards the request to the Graduate School for approval.

  3. If the student is not in good standing, the student will receive a 'Termination' notation on their transcripts. If the student is in good standing, the student receives a 'Termination without prejudice' notation on their transcripts.

  4. If the student has preregistered, notification to withdraw must be approved before the last day of the drop period. The student is responsible for dropping all classes for the upcoming semester.

 

B. Procedure for Temporary Withdrawal
 

A temporary withdrawal is a release from the University for the duration of one semester.

  1. Students considering withdrawal should consult their major advisor and Director of Graduate Programs (DGP).

  2. A student who wishes to drop all courses and who has preregistered and prepaid must go through the official withdrawal process through the Counseling Center unless notification has been given to the University by the DGP prior to the beginning of the academic period (Fall, Spring, or Summer) for which the registration cancellation is desired.

  3. NC State students carrying course work at another campus under the Interinstitutional Registration Program must also contact the Department of Registration and Records to initiate the paperwork necessary for removal from the class roll at the other institution.

 

C. Late Withdrawals
 

Graduate students may receive late withdrawals approved through the Counseling Center under two conditions:

  1. Certification by a physician of inability to continue for medical reasons. Such medical petitions are subject to review by a University physician if a request for consultation is made by the Counseling Center.

  2. Certification by the Counseling Center or by an independent psychiatrist or psychologist of inability to continue for psychiatric/psychological reasons. In this case, the Counseling Center reserves the right to review pertinent records and to reexamine the student if necessary before approving a withdrawal. This is to certify that:

    1. there has been a significant decrease in the student's usual level of psychological functioning, and

    2. that regaining that previous level of functioning will involve a process of sufficient academic disruption to make continuing as a student unreasonable. In this situation a "hold" will normally be placed on the student's readmission pending certification by the Counseling Center or independent psychologist/psychiatrist that the student has regained and can be expected to maintain that usual level of psychological competence.

The Dean of the Graduate School verifies that a decision has been reached in accordance with policies and procedures that the student has responsibility handled a documented hardship, that the hardship has been beyond that student's control, and that the consequence has been reasonably unforeseeable.

 

D. Retroactive Withdrawal
 

Requests for retroactive withdrawal may be made if the semester in which the student was eligible to officially withdraw has passed.

  1. The student should notify the program in writing of his/her intent to retroactively withdraw from the University.

  2. Students wishing to retroactively withdraw must follow all of the guidelines for late withdrawal.

  3. The program should instruct the student to make an appointment with the University Counseling Center.

  4. The student completes a Counseling Center form during his/her appointment at the University Counseling Center.

  5. The Counseling Center sends copies of this form to both the program and the Graduate School. If the form does not state so, the program should be notified of the reasons for the student's retroactive withdrawal.

  6. The DGP then notifies the Graduate School of the recommendation, whereupon the Dean of the Graduate School either approves or denies the action.

 

E. Effect of Withdrawal on Meeting Continuous Registration Requirement
 

Any student enrolled in a graduate program who is registered for a given semester or summer session and withdraws during the official registration period (typically the first 10 or 5 working days of a semester or summer session, respectively) must obtain a leave of absence to meet the requirement for continuous registration. However, those students withdrawing after the official registration period ends DO NOT need to obtain a leave of absence and will be considered by the Graduate School as having met their continuous registration requirement.

 

F. Effect of Withdrawal on Permanent Record
 

Neither courses nor grades are recorded on the permanent record for students who withdraw during the regular drop period. After the last day of the official drop period withdrawals without academic penalty are granted by the Counseling Center only under exceptional circumstances. In such cases, neither courses nor grades are recorded on the permanent record.