Pregnancy and Childbirth Leave Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to describe the process and procedure for requesting a leave of absence related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Scope

The scope of this policy applies to all students in all programs.

Policy

Northwestern Health Sciences University prohibits discrimination against any student on the basis of pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions or parental status, in the administration of its educational programs and activities. Northwestern Health Sciences University will neither require nor prohibit leaves of absences for reasons of pregnancy or child-birth related concerns. In addition, Northwestern Health Sciences University will reasonably accommodate its students, including pregnant students, so that they may continue to make progress towards completion of their degree.

Absences due to pregnancy related medical conditions and childbirth will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student’s doctor. Upon return from leave of absence, students will return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before the medical leave began, including being given the opportunity to make up missed work. Northwestern will work with each student to develop an individualized maternity leave plan which will include a plan for the completion of missed coursework. As part of the individualized plan, Northwestern will not require the student to complete missed work during her medically necessary leave period unless the student so chooses. As part of this plan, Northwestern may offer students an alternative to making up missed work, such as the ability to retake a course at no additional expense to the student.

Revised: May 2017 / Effective: July 1 2017

Procedure

Follow the steps below to request a leave of absence related to pregnancy or childbirth.

Schedule a Pregnancy Leave of Absence meeting with your Dean or Program Director:
Request medical documentation from your health care provider which includes the length of pregnancy leave needed and any necessary additional time away for related medical appointments.
Carefully review your rights and responsibilities under Title IX.
Attend Pregnancy Leave of Absence meeting with the Dean or Program Director. If you already have medical documentation from your health care provider, please provide this information at this time.
Turn in your medical documentation to your Dean or Program Director. Attach a copy to this packet and keep a copy for your records.
Make arrangements with each of your instructors and the appropriate clinic coordinators regarding your leave. Document the plan in the Course & Clinic Planning packet.
Meet with the Financial Aid Office to discuss any possible concerns regarding your leave.
Turn in your completed Course & Clinic Planning packet to your Dean or Program Director. Keep a copy for yourself. Your Dean and Program Director will review and sign the document when the plan is approved.
1. If any changes were made to the plan by your Dean or Program Director, pick up a copy of the modified plan for your records.
Notify the Dean or Program Director when you have given birth to establish that your leave has officially begun. Your Dean or Program Director will work with the Office of the Registrar to have your instructors notified your leave has begun.
Follow the Course & Clinic Plan that was approved by your Dean or Program Director.
If additional leave time is medically necessary beyond the initial assessment, provide new medical documentation from your health care provider to your Dean or Program Director.