What Is a Sabbatical?

A sabbatical is an extended period of leave from regular duties, usually granted to faculty after a number of years of service, so that they can concentrate on research, writing, creative work, study or professional development. The tradition comes from the idea of a rest every seventh year. In practice, universities typically offer sabbaticals after about six years, though policies vary.

How sabbaticals work

A faculty member applies with a plan, and a committee, the department chair and the dean review it. If approved, the person is released from teaching and most administrative duties for a semester or a year. Pay differs: many universities pay full salary for one semester or half salary for a full year, and some require outside funding or reduced pay.

Faculty may spend sabbaticals at their own institution or visit other universities, research centers, archives or fieldwork sites, sometimes abroad. They are generally expected to produce something, such as a book, articles, a new course or a report, and to return to the institution for at least a year afterward.

Beyond academia

Other workplaces also offer sabbaticals, typically extended unpaid or partially paid leave for rest, travel or study. In teaching, sabbatical leave for primary and secondary teachers exists in some countries. In popular use, "taking a sabbatical" means a long career break.

How it affects students

A professor on sabbatical will not teach, supervise or hold office hours as usual. Departments arrange for other instructors to teach their courses. If you are working on a thesis or independent project with someone due to go on sabbatical, plan ahead: ask about remote supervision, a co-advisor or the timing of deadlines.

Why they matter

Sabbaticals allow deep work that is difficult during teaching terms. They support scholarship that benefits students, such as new research, updated courses and fresh ideas.

Related terms

See tenure, faculty, emeritus, postdoc and independent study.