Students must register for courses each semester in order to maintain their matriculated status. Otherwise, a leave of absence for a specific period must be requested in writing and approved by the Director of the MSW Programs of the School of Social Work. Students returning from a leave must be readmitted by the Director of the MSW Programs or the Admissions Committee.

A matriculated student who has completed course work and whose graduation is pending, but whose record includes incomplete grades, should check regulations at the Hunter College Registrar's Office concerning maintenance of matriculation.

Students must complete all requirements for graduation within five (5) years of matriculation.

After completion of one semester, a student wishing to change status is required to consult with his/her faculty advisor and submit a written request to the Dean's Office. Approval for change of status considers the student's academic record and may contain conditions the student must meet before returning to full-time status. When a a student wishes to return to full-time status, a letter of intent should be sent before April 1stto the Dean's Office.

A leave of absence for a specific period must be requested in writing and approved by the Assistant Dean. The leave may not exceed one year and is not counted as part of the time limit for completing work for the M.S.W. degree.

Students who have successfully completed one year at another accredited graduate school of social work may apply for admission into the second year of the full-time two year program at Hunter. To meet the degree requirements, transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 credits at the Hunter College School of Social Work within the official five-year time limit.

Credits may be transferred and applied to the MSW program only for non-degree graduate study. A maximum of 9 credits of prior graduate study from an accredited graduate program in social work and 6 credits of prior graduate student in a non-social work area may be considered for credit transfer. Transfer of credit can only be considered for courses in which students received a grade of B or better. Matriculated students who wish to transfer credit may apply to do so only after completing one semester. Students must complete a transfer of credit form available in room 704. The Assistant Dean reviews all requests for transfer of credit.

Students failing to register for a regular semester will be automatically dropped from the active student files. If they wish to return, they must apply for readmission. In all cases of non-attendance, with the exception of the approved leave of absence, students must still observe the five-year limitation for the master's degree.

Students can officially withdraw from courses up to the Monday of the seventh week of the term; the grade in such a course will be recorded W, indicating that the withdrawal was without prejudice. Official withdrawal is accomplished by filing a withdrawal application in the School of Social Work Admissions and Record Office on or before the deadline. The student should notify the graduate advisor of this action. After the seventh week of the term, all official withdrawals must have the approval of the graduate advisor on an official withdrawal form and will need documentation to show reason for withdrawal, i.e., illness or serious personal emergency. Unofficial withdrawal will result in a grade of WU, which could result in probation status and preclude further registration.

Non-matriculants who wish to withdraw or make program changes after payment of fees must have a Drop-Add form approved in the School's Admissions Office. A Bursar's receipt is necessary for any transaction when the form is filed in the Registrar's Office.

A student who decides to withdraw from the School of Social Work is expected to submit a written statement to that effect to the Dean. In order to clear the official record, a withdrawal form with the departmental stamp of approval, secured in the Office of Admissions and Student Records at the School of Social Work, must be filed by the student in the Office of Admissions and Student Records.

Students who withdraw from the College without action by the Dean will be considered new applicants if they want to return at a later date and will need to reapply for admission.

As a condition for registration and for field placement, students must have health insurance and professional liability insurance. For students without personal health insurance, health plans are available through Hunter College. Professional liability insurance is provided through a School group policy, and payment for this policy is made at the time of registration. The liability insurance cost is approximately $12 - $15 per year.

Please be advised that the New York State Department of Health has specific regulations regarding immunization. All Hunter College students born after January 1, 1957 are required to provide proof of the following:

1. Two Doses of Live Measles Virus Vaccine.
The first vaccination must have been administered to you after your first birthday and after December 31, 1967. The second vaccination must have been administered more than 30 days after first dose and after 15 month of age. (Please Note: Any measles vaccination administered prior to January 1, 1968 is not valid as per Public Health Law 2165.)

2. One Dose of Live Rubella Virus Vaccine.
Administered after your first birthday.

3. One Dose of Live Mumps Virus Vaccine.
Administered after your first birthday and after December 31, 1969.
Immunization documentation that you submitted to your previous school is NOT automatically sent to Hunter College. You MUST request a copy of your immunization record from your previous school or your physician. All documentation must contain an original stamp. (Xerox copies of the stamp will not be accepted.) Please bring this documentation in person to the Health Services Office (Rm. 307 HN), 68th Street.

All documentation must be brought to the Health Service Office before you register. You will not be allowed to register if you have not brought in this documentation.

Please feel free to call (212) 772-4800 if you have further questions regarding this matter. The office is located at the 68th Street Campus, in room 307 HN and the hours are Monday thru Thursday 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM.