What is an Excused Absence?

Absences

Overview

An excused absence is defined and administered in accordance with the Morehouse College Academic Policies and Procedures. The excerpt below summarizes the College's expectations regarding attendance, documentation, and the excused absence review process.

According to the Morehouse College Class Attendance Policy:

Each Morehouse student is expected to attend scheduled classes on a routine basis and be punctual. The Office of the Provost verifies all official class excuses. All requests for class excuses must be accompanied by written documentation to substantiate the request. Any requests must be submitted within five (5) calendar days of the class absence. If the Office of the Provost does not contact a faculty member communicating that an absence is excused, a faculty member has no obligation to work with the student to address any consequences associated with the class absence. <read more>

Typical Reason for Request

Not every reason for missing class qualifies as an excused absence under the Morehouse College Class Attendance Policy. Before submitting an Excused Absence Request, review the approved and unapproved reasons below to determine whether your circumstances may be eligible for consideration.

If you are unsure whether your absence qualifies, please review the Morehouse College Excused Absence Policy before submitting your request.

Approved Reasons for Excused Absences	Unapproved Reasons for Excused Absences
Bereavement	Oversleeping
Court Appearances	Car Trouble / Flat Tire
Family Emergencies	Public Transportation Issues
Illness	Work Obligations
Official School Business	Personal Errands
Military Obligations	Not Granted for Summer Session Classes
Mental Health-Related Issue

NOTE: Instructors reserve the right to accept or reject class excuses.

Reasons for Absence

When submitting an Excused Absence Request, select the reason that best describes your circumstances. The descriptions below explain each absence category and any special requirements that may apply.

Personal Emergency	An unexpected, serious incident that requires immediate attention because it poses a risk to your health, safety, well-being, or property. Requests must be supported by documentation from an appropriate authority, such as a landlord, police department, fire department, utility company, or other official source.
Bereavement/ Funeral	Attendance at the funeral of a loved one or bereavement-related responsibilities.
Mental & Behavioral Health Concerns	An acute episode or ongoing mental or behavioral health concern, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, or panic attacks. This category also includes conditions documented through Morehouse College Counseling Services and/or the Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA).
Chronic Medical Condition	An ongoing physical medical condition for which you are receiving continuous treatment from a licensed physician, such as asthma, sickle cell disease, arthritis, or diabetes. This category also includes conditions documented through the Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA).
Family Emergency	An unexpected situation requiring your immediate assistance for a family member, including a child, spouse, parent, sibling, or member of your extended family.
Official College Business	A scheduled activity or trip sponsored or approved by a Morehouse College office, faculty member, or administrator. Official College Business may include: Academic conferences Community service activities Research opportunities Official Morehouse College-affiliated programs or opportunities Written documentation from the sponsoring office, faculty member, or administrator is required.
Interviews for Internships, Graduate School, or Employment Opportunities	Scheduled interviews for future internships, graduate school admission, or future employment opportunities. Important: Requests submitted for this reason are not eligible for an excused absence and will be denied. Students should use one of their available unexcused absences, as permitted under the Morehouse College Class Attendance Policy.
Job-Related Obligations	Mandatory work assignments required by your current employer. Important: Job-related obligations are not eligible for an excused absence under the Morehouse College Class Attendance Policy.
Illness, Injury, or Scheduled Medical/ Dental Appointment	A temporary illness, injury, or routine medical or dental appointment that is not related to a chronic medical or chronic mental health condition. Examples include: Flu Stomach virus Sprained ankle Broken arm Injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident This category also includes routine physician or dental appointments that are not emergency treatment and do not involve ongoing treatment for a chronic condition.
Court or Judicial Appearance	A required legal or judicial appearance, including: Jury duty Court hearings Traffic citations Other court-mandated appearances
Military Obligation	Military service obligations for active-duty or reserve members of the United States Armed Forces.
Morehouse College Athletic Team and Recognized Student Organizations (RSO)	Participation in an official competition, activity, or trip sponsored by a Morehouse College athletic team or Recognized Student Organization (RSO).
Car Trouble, Minor Vehicle Accidents, and Transportation Delays	Transportation-related issues, including: Flat tire Vehicle will not start Minor vehicle collision Lost car keys Broken vehicle window MARTA or other public transportation delays Important: These circumstances are not eligible for an excused absence and will be denied. Students should use one of their available unexcused absences, as permitted under the Morehouse College Class Attendance Policy.
Travel and Weather-Related Delays	Travel disruptions caused by weather or transportation delays, including: Flight delays or cancellations Bus delays Train delays Other significant travel interruptions Documentation supporting the travel disruption may be required for review.

How Can I Request An Absence Excuse?

If you believe your absence meets the requirements of the Morehouse College Class Attendance Policy, you may submit an Excused Absence Request through the Academic Affairs Service Desk Portal.

Before submitting your request, be sure to:

Review the Morehouse College Excused Absence Policy.
Confirm that your reason for absence is eligible for consideration.
Obtain acceptable supporting documentation.
Submit your request within five (5) calendar days of the absence.
Ensure you have not already submitted a request for the same absence.

After your request is submitted, Academic Affairs will review the information and supporting documentation provided. Submission of a request does not guarantee approval. All requests are evaluated in accordance with the Morehouse College Class Attendance Policy, and instructors retain final authority regarding attendance and course participation.

Ready to submit your request? Visit the Academic Affairs Service Desk Portal and select Request an Excused Absence to begin the process.

Ready to Submit Your Request?

Visit the Service Catalog and select Request an Excused Absence to begin the process.

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