Leave for Approved Study or Degree in Absentia

You must apply for non-degree admission from the institution where you want to take courses. (Non-degree admission is sometimes referred to as applying as a visiting student.) 

For application instructions, please contact the institution to which you’re applying.

Discuss your plans, degree requirements and proposed courses with your academic advisor(s). You must have their approval to move forward. 

Note: Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students must also meet with their EOP Counselor and obtain the EOP Director’s approval. 

Meeting with your advisor(s) will help you determine: 

• Whether you’re eligible for leave for approved study or degree in absentia 

• How course credits may transfer back to UAlbany and be applied to your degree requirements (Note: Final designations are made by the Office of Undergraduate Education.) 

• If you need to request a senior residence requirement waiver

You must complete the Leave for Approved Study / Degree in Absentia Form by the mid-point of the semester before the semester you intend to study at another institution. 

(For example, if you intend to study at another institution in the spring semester, you must apply by the mid-point of the fall semester.) 

Note: If your plans will affect your senior residence, you must also request a senior residence requirement waiver at the same time. 

You’ll receive an email from the Office of Academic Progression & Success notifying whether your request has been approved.  

We encourage you to have an alternative plan, in case your request is not approved: 

• Current students who are denied leave for approved study must register for classes, which we suggest you do while applying for a leave.

• Former students who are denied a degree in absentia may apply for readmission at UAlbany instead. We encourage you to explore the University’s degree completion program. 

Check for holds at UAlbany. And work with the institution where you’ll be studying to enroll as a non-degree (visiting) student and register for classes. Additionally: 

Leave for Approved Study 

• If you registered for UAlbany classes before receiving approval, be sure to drop those classes by the Drop deadline to avoid financial liability.

• If you’ll be returning to UAlbany, speak with your academic advisor(s) before you leave about how and when you will register for classes for the semester you return, and which courses you’ll select. 

Degree in Absentia 

• You can maintain “in absentia” status for two years or until your proposed graduation date.  

• If you don’t make academic progress toward completing your degree (as evidenced by transcripts sent after each semester) and/or if you don’t request an extension before the two-year mark, you will be officially withdrawn from UAlbany. 

  • To request an extension, please contact the Office of Academic Progression & Success at 518-442-3950 or [email protected].

• Fees apply to degrees completed in absentia. If you extend your graduation beyond the two-year mark, readmission fees apply. 

You must arrange to have a final, official transcript sent to the Registrar's Office at the end of each semester you spend at the other institution. 

• Physical transcripts can be sent to: University at Albany, Registrar’s Office, Campus Center B52, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222. 

• Electronic transcripts can be sent to [email protected].

Our office will use these transcripts to update your UAlbany academic record. Note: Only course credits transfer, not grades.