8.  MAINTAINING STUDENT STATUS

Maintenance status (Pre- Completion of Program) - On-leave policy to maintain student status
Students who have already commenced the program can apply to take a leave of absence for a maximum of one academic year.  Students must write a letter to their advisor stating the reason and their intention to become a Maintaining student.

Maintenance status (Post- Completion of Program)
Students who exceed the standard three-year training duration to graduate will be granted an extension until December 31st of their third year to fulfill all program requirements without any additional charges.
However, students who require further time beyond the December 31st deadline will be required to apply for maintaining student status.  To initiate this process, they must submit a contract outlining their plan for completion and remit the maintaining status fee.

Should the extension exceed one year, students will need to submit a petition requesting permission to continue in the program. This petition must be accompanied by a written explanation detailing their intended approach and timeline for fulfilling the remaining requirements.  The final decision is given at the discretion of the director.  If the extension of maintaining status is approved, they will be required to continue paying the Maintaining Status Fee until they fulfill all the necessary requirements to graduate.

Maintaining status- Coursework, Practicum, Supervision, Studio, Therapy hours
As the CREATE institute is registered as a CRPO educational facility please note maintaining  Students are required to practice within the scope of the CRPO guidelines irrespective of the student's decision to apply to be an RP(Qualifying)

Coursework & Assignments
Maintaining status begins in January following the student's Year 3 end date. It is expected that all coursework would be completed by this time.  Exceptions can be heard for coursework completion up to and including the first 90 days of the students maintaining status.

Hours
Maintaining students can count towards the program requirements their practicum, supervision, therapy,  studio hours and make-up assignments completed during the start and end dates indicated on their contract.

Advisor & Practicum Coordinator Meetings
Maintaining students are required to meet with the program advisor and/or the Practicum Coordinator. 
(Full-year status - up to two meetings / 3 to 6 month status- one meeting)

Register for Maintaining status
To register for Maintaining status, Students must sign and submit a Maintaining Student contract to the administrator and pay all applicable fees*.

Maintaining Fee
Effective January 2025, the annual fee is $750 for the initial year of maintaining status, with a subsequent fee of $1000 for 2nd year. 

Exceptions are required for extenuating circumstances that may lead to a 3rd year extension.