2022-2023 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Reinstatement Policy

All students who have been away from Lesley for one or more semesters must apply for reinstatement prior to registration except for those students who have taken an official Leave of Absence (LOA) and register within the timeframe indicated on their LOA documentation. As indicated below, CLAS students apply for reinstatement via the CLAS advising office (or LCAL office for LCAL students) or the CLAS Dean's office; LA+D students apply for reinstatement via the LA+D advising office.

Returning to Lesley following a Leave of Absence:

If a student takes an official LOA and returns during the time specified in the LOA documentation, the student needs only to register for classes within the normal registration window after consultation with their advisor or their advising office to obtain registration clearance. Students may also request an official extension of their LOA through their advising office. LOA’s may be requested for one semester, one term, or two terms. If the student takes a LOA but does not return within the LOA window, the student will need to be reinstated per below sections associated with withdrawals.

Reinstatement for students in good academic standing following a Withdrawal:

A student who left Lesley in good academic standing should submit to their advising office a request for reinstatement in which they,

(a) summarize what they have been doing since leaving Lesley;

(b) provide transcripts for course work, if any, completed during the interim period; and

(c) discuss why they wish to be reinstated.

The director of academic advising may reinstate such students without approval of the Dean. However, if the director of academic advising has concerns about the application, the Dean will make the final decision on reinstatement.

Reinstatement after Academic Probation or Dismissal:

A student who left Lesley while on academic probation, or after being academically dismissed, must apply to the Associate Dean of their undergraduate college for reinstatement per the guidelines below.

Academic Probation: A student who left Lesley on academic probation should submit to their Dean’s office a request for reinstatement in which they,

(a) summarize what they have been doing since leaving Lesley;

(b) provide transcripts for course work, if any, completed during the interim period;

(c) discuss why they wish to be reinstated; and

(d) explain their strategies for achieving academic success at Lesley.

The Associate Dean will review the request and send a recommendation to the Dean. The Dean will make the final decision on reinstatement.

Students who are returning after a period of absence from Lesley in order to complete degree requirements must be registered at Lesley for at least 1 credit during the semester preceding degree conferral.

Academic Dismissal: Normally, after one semester following academic dismissal, students may apply for reinstatement to Lesley. Although additional conditions for reinstatement may be included in the dismissal documentation, to reapply for reinstatement, a student who was academic dismissed must submit to the Dean’s office a request for reinstatement in which they,

a) Summarize the issues that led to their academic dismissal;

b) Outline what they have done since their dismissal to address these issues (and provide a transcript for any courses that they have taken elsewhere during this interim period);

c) discuss why they wish to be reinstated;

d) Provide evidence to support their position that they are successfully addressing these issues; and

e) Explain what they would do differently this time to be academically successful.

To demonstrate that they are prepared to return to Lesley, students who have been academically dismissed often take three or more college courses elsewhere and achieve grades of “B” or better in each. The Associate Dean will review the request and send a recommendation to the Dean. The Dean will make the final decision on reinstatement.

To ensure consideration, students must submit requests for reinstatement by the dates listed below:


Fall Semester August 15
Fall 1 Term (online) August 15
Fall 2 Term (online) October 1
Spring Semester January 2
Spring 1 Term (online) January 2
Spring 2 Term (online) March 1
Summer 1 and 2 Terms (online and on campus) May 1