Graduate students at Northeastern University who become parents may be eligible for a Parental Modified Academic Plan (MAP) which will facilitate the ability to take time away from studies following the birth of a child or adoption. To take advantage of a MAP under this policy, a student must be a full-time, registered graduate student in good standing at Northeastern University who has recently given birth or has adopted a child.  Further information about eligibility and the university policy and process can be found HERE.

All students may access other university support through resources such as medical leaves of absence, medical accommodations, personal leave and other resources as applicable under the circumstances. Information about resources and support may be found HERE.

A Parental MAP can be taken at any time within one year following the birth or adoption of a child and lasts for up to 12 weeks.

During a Parental MAP , the student will remain registered as a full-time student. The MAP will be developed with the student and relevant departments/divisions and faculty to develop a plan to support the student’s academic progress. Modifications may include, but are not limited to, modifying deadlines for course assignments, examinations, teaching and research responsibilities, and/or other academic requirements through the completion of the modification period.

If academic requirements are expected to be completed beyond the end of a term, the student should follow the process described below for requesting and clearing an incomplete grade.

A student who requests a Parental MAP should complete the following steps at least four months in advance of the anticipated due date or adoption date, to the extent possible.

1. Obtain a letter from a physician, other health care professional, or other office stating an anticipated arrival date or provide documentation specifying an expected date of adoption;
2. International students studying in the US or Canada must consult in advance with the Office of Global Services (OGS) to determine the impact that a MAP could have on their student status. International students who hold F-1 or J-1 visa status must remain in compliance with U.S. federal government regulations even when taking advantage of a MAP. International Students studying at a Canadian campus must continue to meet the conditions of their Study Permit as required by IRCC.
3. Students enrolled in master’s and professional doctorate programs complete the request for a MAP form HERE. Students enrolled in PhD programs complete the request for a MAP form HERE. Students should submit the above documentation and obtain the appropriate approval signatures.
4. Every effort will be made to acknowledge requests within 3 business days, and to communicate decisions to students within 3 weeks.

If academic requirements are expected to be completed beyond the end of a term, the student should work with their course instructor or research advisor to complete an Incomplete-Grade Contract on which the precise agreement for clearing an incomplete grade is specified. The contract is then signed by the student, the instructor, and the student’s academic advisor. Copies of the form are kept by the student and the instructor, and are uploaded to the student’s advising notes.

The maximum time period for clearing an incomplete grade for a Parental MAP is the end of the approved time period for the MAP. Instructors may not deny a request to develop an Incomplete-Grade Contract for a Parental MAP, and may not require that an incomplete grade by cleared before the end of the approved Parental MAP.

International students should consult with the Office of Global Services before requesting an incomplete grade to ensure that they will remain in compliance.

If the missing assignment(s) have not been submitted to the instructor by the agreed upon due date, the grade entered will reflect the student’s grade in the course for the work completed and the missing assignments receiving no credit toward the final grade. Changes in the final grade will be applied to the term in which the student was enrolled in the course.

Any exception to this policy or extension of the deadline must be recommended by the college in which the course was offered and must be forwarded in writing to the Office of the University Registrar for implementation. Modifications that permit completion of requirements more than 30 days beyond the end of the term may be requested by completing the Request to Waive University Policies.