A student called to active military duty before enrolling in courses may request a deferral of admission using the process below: 

• The student must submit a request (i.e., letter or email) to The Graduate School for a deferment stating the reason for the request (call to active duty), indicating the term he/she wishes to re-enroll (the term can be changed if needed). 

• The Graduate Dean approves the deferment and informs the Program Director and student of the approval. 

• If the student's discharge from the service is delayed, the student contacts The Graduate School and requests an extension of his/her deferment. The Graduate Dean will approve the delay and inform the Graduate Program Director.

When a student on military leave of absence plans to resume graduate study, he/she must inform The Graduate School. The Graduate School will readmit students who were in good academic standing at the time of their call to duty who seek readmission no later than three years after the completion of the period of service. Readmission fees will be waived. All registration holds must be cleared before the student will be eligible to register.

The Graduate School follows the University policy concerning course withdrawals for military leave of absence. In the case of a military leave of absence, the time clock related to the time limit for the completion of the degree will be stopped at the semester in which the leave begins. The time clock will resume upon the student's return to the program. 

The “IM” or the military incomplete grade, is assigned for incompletes to students called to active military duty. The “IM” grade is given when students are deployed for active military duty assignments during an academic term and will be unable to complete coursework for the term through an alternative format. It is not given to enable a student to do additional work to improve a grade. The “IM” grade can be assigned with instructor approval if deployment occurs after 60% of the course (e.g. nine weeks of the fall or spring semester) has been completed for the academic term. If deployment occurs after 80% of the course (e.g. twelve weeks of the fall or spring semester) has been completed for the academic term, active duty military students are guaranteed the option of an “IM” if they so choose.  The IM grade must be removed within three years of returning from deployment or the grade will convert to a “WM.” 

The “WM” or the military withdrawal grade, is assigned for withdrawals of students called to active military duty during the course of an academic term. The “WM” grade is given when students are deployed for active military duty assignments during the term and will be unable to complete coursework for the term through an alternative format. While students who are deployed on active military duty assignments can opt for the “WM” grade at any point during the term, the “WM” grade will be assigned if deployment occurs before 60% of the course (e.g. nine weeks of the fall or spring semester) has been completed for the academic term and an alternative format for the course (such as moving to an online section) is not available. When a student receives a “WM” grade, the grade is recorded, but the semester hours attempted are not counted as quality hours.