Students must complete all MLA degree requirements within five years of commencing the program. For the purposes of this policy, this five-year period is measured as fifteen (15) academic quarters, not counting summer. 

The MLA academic year consists of three quarters: Autumn, Winter, and Spring. The student’s first quarter of enrollment counts as the first of the fifteen (15) quarters. The fifteenth academic quarter is that by which a student must complete the given degree requirements.

For example: 

• A student who begins in Spring Quarter of 2027 must finish by the end of Winter Quarter 2032.
• A student who begins in Autumn Quarter of 2026 must finish by the end of Spring Quarter 2031. 
• A student who begins in Winter Quarter of 2027 must finish by the end of Autumn Quarter 2031.

Students with incomplete courses (notated with a blank grade, an “NGR,” or “I” on their transcript) should work directly with the professor to submit any outstanding assignments, with the intent to ultimately receive a final letter grade in the course.

If fewer than two calendar years have passed from the original enrollment quarter for the incomplete course, the Graham School will support the student in advocating with the faculty member for an assessment plan that would ultimately lead to a final letter grade.

If more than two calendar years have passed from the original term of a course attempt, the enrollment is considered to be expired. 

Please note: even when a letter grade is added, if a course was previously marked as “I” (“Incomplete”), the final letter grades will appear with this “I” still denoted; e.g., “IA,” “IB,” etc.  The best way to avoid this outcome is for a student to communicate with a faculty member before the end of a quarter to come to an agreement on any extensions needed for outstanding assignments.  Otherwise, absent any communication or agreed-upon plan with a student, a faculty member will record an I grade when it comes time to submit final course grades.

Students are expected to attend and participate in each class. Absences and tardiness not only can result in a lowered grade but also jeopardize a student’s standing in a program. Students should carefully review each course syllabus for specific guidance on attendance and participation. Students have the responsibility to communicate in a timely manner with faculty and course instructors regarding absences.

As many as two electives may be pursued outside of the “MLAP” courses offerings, as long as they are at the 3xxx or 4xxx levels; students must first get permission from instructor(s) and program leadership.

Students may take as many as two courses as “pass/fail,” pending approval from both program leadership and the instructor.  A “P” grade confers full course credit, but does not count toward a student’s overall GPA.  Arrangements for a P/F grade must be made before the course ends (i.e., before a student submits their final assignment).

Transfer Credit

Students entering the degree program may request to apply relevant transfer credit from a previous institution, so long as the transfer courses were: (1) pursued at the graduate level via an accredited institution, as represented on an official transcript; (2) not previously applied to a completed graduate degree or certificate program; (3) the course(s) were completed within the last two years. 

Students presently enrolled in the degree may not seek to concurrently enroll in another institution with the goal of transferring credits into the Master of Liberal Arts program. 

All transfer credit is subject to the review and final approval of program leadership on a case-by-case basis. 

UChicago MLA Courses Taken >5 Years Ago

Students who have received letter grades for MLA courses at the University of Chicago may only apply these credits toward their degree if the courses were completed within the previous five years.

These requirements apply to each quarter of enrollment. Students who have received financial aid should refer to the Office of Financial Aid’s SAP policy here, as such students may be subject to additional progress requirements. There are three components to maintaining satisfactory academic progress. A student must continuously meet all three requirements. 

1. Acceptable GPA: A student must maintain an acceptable, cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0;
2. Passing Grades: A student must receive passing grades in all completed courses, and;
3. Coursework Completion Rate: A student must complete a minimum of at least 70% of all attempted cumulative units (whether units count towards degree or not).

Unsatisfactory Academic Progress

Ramifications of Unsatisfactory Academic Progress

In line with the Bursar’s policy, if a student drops a class before the end of the third week of a given term, the student will receive a full refund for the course. This deadline is measured as 5:00 p.m. CST on the Friday of the third week; if that day is a holiday, then the following Monday at 5:00 p.m. CST will serve as the deadline. 

In cases where fewer than three class meetings may be held over the first three weeks of the quarter – due to a University-observed holiday, Saturday meeting cadence, or instructor delay – a student seeking to drop the course by 5:00 p.m. CST on the Monday following the third class in a quarter may receive a full refund. 

Tuition is only refunded if a course withdrawal is arranged during the tuition refund period described above.

Any course withdrawals after the above-described deadline will result in a tuition forfeiture, and a “W” (Withdrawal) grade on a student’s transcript.

The Bursar’s Leave of Absence and Withdrawal Financial Policies Proration Schedule is used to determine the percentage of tuition that may be refunded in the case of withdrawal from the program, or in the case of a leave of absence.

Students who earn a “W” grade are financially responsible for the course.

Students who wish to pursue a course withdrawal must request a W from their academic adviser by 5:00 p.m. on the Monday of Week Nine of the relevant quarter, or the day before the final project/exam is due, whichever is earlier. When made before the deadline, a request for a withdrawal cannot be denied except in cases of academic dishonesty. A withdrawal may not be granted after completion of the course.

Once a student requests a W, it may not subsequently be changed to any other mark. W grades do not confer grade or impact GPA; however, they will count against the completion rate needed to maintain good academic standing.

Involuntary withdrawal may occur: 

• If a student fails to meet the conditions of an academic progress plan. A student who has been withdrawn for academic reasons risks not being eligible to apply for a second readmission to the program.
• If a student exceeds their approved leave of absence time, without an approved extension to their leave.
• If a student has financial or administrative restrictions placed on their student account by the Bursar, Registrar, or another University office. Restrictions may result from a student’s failure to fulfill financial obligations to the University, or to comply with University rules and regulations. In order to resume studies in subsequent quarters, students need to clear the restriction with the administrative or academic office which imposed it. If a student anticipates being unable to clear the restriction in a timely manner, he or she should meet with program leadership as soon as possible to request a leave of absence.
• If a student is subject to a disciplinary decision.
• If a student fails to respond to three consecutive attempts at outreach within an academic year.

Voluntary withdrawal may also be initiated upon student request; students should speak with a counselor in the Office of Student Loan Administration about the implications of a leave on current obligations and future financial aid.

Time spent on leave does not count toward the required time frame in which one has to finish the program. Program staff have the discretion whether or not to grant a LOA. 

A leave of absence (LOA) falls into one of four categories: 

• An LOA while in good academic standing; 
• An LOA while on academic warning or probation; 
• An LOA for medical reasons, and; 
• An involuntary LOA.

Students in good academic standing may take an LOA for up to four consecutive quarters (four cumulative, if more than one LOA is taken). Petitions may be granted to extend this leave for students fulfilling a military service requirement, or otherwise as required by law. Students may be able to return for any quarter (within the four-quarter limit) by notifying the program director at least two weeks before the first day of the quarter. 

A student may take an LOA in good standing for any of the allowable reasons below. In the event a student requests a personal leave, individual circumstances will be considered by program staff. Due to the flexible nature of the MLA and the ability to pause classes during quarters where regular job-related or personal matters may interfere, these requests are granted in exceptional cases of extenuating personal circumstances.

Leave of Absence Reasons: 

• Active Duty Armed Forces
• Administrative – Reason Known
• Administrative – Reason Unknown
• Alternate UC Academic Program
• Caregiving
• Foreign Service
• Funding/Financial Hardship
• Medical (with or w/out USHIP)
• Official Church Mission
• Parental (with or w/out USHIP)
• Personal/Other (excluding financial reasons) 
• Research Independent of UC
• Transportation

Such students are eligible to apply for a leave of absence, but their probation status will remain in effect upon their resumption of studies. In the first quarter of resuming studies, such students are expected to make academic progress. Students who fail to meet the minimum expectations will be withdrawn from the program and barred from further registration in that program for at least one year. 

Through the Office of the Dean of Students in the Graham School, students may be granted an LOA for medical reasons at any time. Resumption is contingent upon the condition being resolved or managed successfully. In such cases, the Dean of Students may require information from a physician or therapist attesting to the readiness of the student to resume studies successfully. If an LOA for medical reasons lasts more than four quarters total, the student’s status will be changed to “withdrawn.” However, before withdrawing a student, the Office of the Dean of Students will seek input from the student to determine whether an additional quarter or two (at most) of leave will enable a successful resolution of medical issues to ultimately resume studies.

 The Office of the Dean of Students may require an involuntary leave of absence if/when it is determined: 

1. That the student has engaged – or threatened to engage – in behavior which has caused (or could cause) significant property damage, or that has substantially impeded (or could impede) the rightful activities of others, and/or; 
2. Based on the consultation with the Student Counseling and Resource Services Director (or his/her designee) and the individualized assessment of the student’s ability to safely participate in the University’s programs, that the student is unable to function as a student and/or the student’s continued presence on campus poses a substantial risk to the safety and well-being of the student or others. 

If the involuntary leave results in a student exceeding the maximum of four quarters of cumulative leave from the program, then the student will be withdrawn from the program.