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2.02 Attendance
2. Academic Information and Policies 2.01 Academic Calendar for the Master’s Programs
1. HMS Master’s students cross-registering in other schools must abide by the registration policies of that school and by the calendar of that school, should it differ from the calendar above. 2. The calendar is subject to change.
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Academic Calendar (2022-2023).pdf
2.02 Attendance
As a professional school, HMS expects attendance and active participation in all components of the curriculum, including all lectures, seminars, and other academicallyrelated program activities. The granting of a Master’s degree attests to the fact that the student has demonstrated a commitment to the student's professional responsibilities through participation in all aspects of the curriculum as defined by the faculty.
HMS recognizes that there may be unexpected events outside a student’s control that may justify absence from a class or other academically-related activity. These include medical emergencies, family emergencies, and sudden changes in life circumstances. In such circumstances, a student is required to report the absence to the course and program directors as soon as possible and to discuss any implications for progress with the program director. Unreported or unexcused absences may lead to disciplinary action.
Religious obligations are a valid reason for an absence from a class or other academically-related activity. Massachusetts state law provides that a student in an educational institution who is unable, because of the student's religious obligation, to attend a class, participate in an examination, or meet a study or work requirement shall be provided with the opportunity to make up this work (see Section 6.01, Harvard University Policy Regarding Religious Holidays). Students should use careful discretion in judging the importance of a particular holiday and in requesting travel days around such holidays. The student must inform the course and program director in advance when the student must be absent for a religious obligation. Extended time off beyond the timeframe of the official religious holiday will not be eligible for an approved absence. See also Section 2.03, Grading and Examinations. Attendance at professional conferences is not considered sufficient reason for absence from a class or other academically-related activities of the program. While leadership in extracurricular and extramural activities is encouraged, such opportunities must not occur at the expense of a student’s required coursework and attendance responsibilities. Individual students may, however, request advance permission from the course and program directors to attend a scientific conference or meeting.
Requesting permission for any absence must be made in writing (email is acceptable) to the course and program directors.
Under no circumstances will an approved or unapproved absence relieve a student of meeting all of the academic requirements of the course or program; if the absence conflicts with a session or sessions that cannot be otherwise made up or completed, then it may affect the student’s grades or overall academic record.
Periods between terms are available as vacation periods. Students are not allowed to begin vacations prior to the term end dates or extend vacations beyond the start of the next term.
Master’s students may not enroll in more than one Master’s degree program concurrently.
Master’s students may not enroll in courses with overlapping meeting times. Registration in all courses, including electives, must be approved by the student’s program and programs may restrict enrollment in electives if they have concerns about academic performance or time management.
Registered students may audit courses with the permission of the instructors concerned and the permission of their program leadership. However, students auditing a class may not take course examinations or receive course grades, and audited courses do not appear on students’ transcripts or count toward required credits.
Consequences of Noncompliance with Attendance Policy
Students who fail to comply with the school’s attendance policy face a number of serious consequences. These include the following:
1. Grades may be lowered.
2. An unreported absence from a course may result in a failure.
3. The program director will review attendance noncompliance to determine whether such unprofessional behavior warrants official censure in the student’s academic record and/or consideration of disciplinary sanctions at the APRB.
4. Summative comments in the evaluations of courses may include descriptions of unapproved and/or unreported absences or tardiness.
Absent extenuating circumstances, any student who does not attend classes, is not working on the mentored research/capstone project, or fails to respond to communications from the program director, administration, or the Office for Graduate Education, for a period of 10 weekdays (during any term) without approval and has not been placed on an official leave of absence (LOA) will be considered absent without leave, and will be considered withdrawn from Harvard Medical School.
