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 2022 / Effective: May 2022

Procedure

Contact the Dean of Students to prepare for a leave of absence related to pregnancy or childbirth.