Family Leave Policy

Can I start a family during MD-PhD training? Yes. In each year’s graduating MD-PhD class, typically 10%-25% of the students have become parents during their time in the program.

Policies for family leave are governed by whether a student is in the MD or PhD phase of training. Generally, students take up to 8 weeks paid parental leave, but longer term leave can be arranged upon request.

For students in the MD phase: https://www.med.upenn.edu/student/leave-of-absence-special-matriculation-short-term-break.html
For students in the PhD phase: https://catalog.upenn.edu/pennbook/family-friendly-policies-phd-students/

Additional resources that may be helpful include:

• Penn Family Resource Center for students and postdocs (which includes child care resource info) https://familycenter.upenn.edu/
• Penn lactation space info https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/wellness-worklife/family-care/lactation-support-program/how-to-find-on-campus-nursing-and-lactation-space