Moody College seeks to aid graduate students who are balancing scholarly and parental responsibilities. Accommodations can be provided for qualifying graduate students.
Moody College of Communication Parental Accommodation Statement
In the case of the birth of a natural child or for the adoption or foster care placement of children under three (3) years of age, graduate students in the Moody College are allowed a one-semester extension in the completion of academic responsibilities required for their degree. Academic responsibilities include coursework, qualifying exams, committee meetings, presentations, or any other required academic milestones.
These responsibilities may be postponed either during or immediately following the semester in which the student’s child is born or adopted. Graduate students who serve as a teaching assistant, assistant instructor or graduate research assistant in the Moody College of Communication also need to meet the instructor of record or research advisor to discuss and outline plans for flexibility in duties and schedules. Graduate students should contact the department Graduate Advisor and Graduate Coordinator to discuss plans for accommodations with as much advance notice as possible. Please complete this form and submit to your Graduate Coordinator. Additional approvals will be required depending on which accommodation(s) is deemed best for the student.
Parental accommodations could include the following:
Academic Accommodation
The student meets with their faculty advisor, the department graduate advisor, and the department graduate coordinator to discuss a plan for degree completion and modifications. Once a plan is made, it will be recorded in the Accommodation Request and signed by the graduate advisor and student.
TA Accommodation
A student with a TA assignment will meet with the course supervisor/coordinator to discuss the possibility of modified duties. Depending on the course that the student is a TA for, it may not always be possible to modify responsibilities. If an agreement can be reached, the plan will be shared with the graduate coordinator and an Accommodation Request will be completed with the details.
AI Accommodation
A student with an AI appointment will meet with the department chair or program director to discuss the possibility of modified duties. Depending on the course that the student is an AI for, it may not always be possible to modify responsibilities. If an agreement can be reached, the plan will be shared with the graduate coordinator and an Accommodation Request will be completed with the details.
GRA Accommodation
A student with a GRA assignment will meet with the faculty research supervisor to discuss the possibility of modified duties. Depending on the research responsibilities, it may not always be possible for a GRA modification. If an agreement can be reached, the plan will be shared with the graduate coordinator and an Accommodation Request will be completed with the details.
Leave of Absence
A student may request to take a complete leave from academics and TA or GRA responsibilities via a formal Leave of Absence through the Graduate School. The student meets with their faculty advisor, their graduate advisor and their graduate coordinator to discuss the Leave and to complete the Graduate School Leave of Absence form and the Moody College Parental Accommodation Request. Please see the Graduate School website for all policies and procedures for formal Leaves of Absence.