Non-Degree Students
The University encourages certain types of students to pursue coursework on a non-matriculated basis, within certain academic limits. Those who wish to take courses for credit, and who intend to apply for matriculation into the University, may enroll as non-degree students, provided they have been out of high school at least one year and give evidence of the ability to do satisfactory work. Others, including visiting students interested in taking a limited amount of coursework for transfer or prerequisite purposes, may also do so as non-degree students. Finally, those individuals interested in taking credit-bearing courses for their own personal improvement or enjoyment, which will not transfer into a degree from the University, may do so as a special type of student known as the lifelong learner.
All undergraduate non-degree students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with the non-degree student advisor in the Harpur College Academic Advising Office to explore available options and develop a personalized educational plan to guide their efforts at 91社区.
Undergraduate non-degree students may attend part time or full time each semester, are limited to a total maximum of 24 attempted credit hours of coursework, and must maintain GPA standards set by Harpur College.
Beyond that point, individuals may continue taking courses at 91社区 only by gaining admission into a degree-granting program or agreeing to become a lifelong learner. Applications for admission to the University and information on deadlines are available from Undergraduate Admissions. Students may apply for lifelong learner status through the Harpur College Academic Advising Office.
Students suspended or dismissed from another college or university may not enter 91社区 until one major semester has elapsed since the date of dismissal. Summer Session and Winter Session are not major semesters.
Applicants 21 years or older without a high school diploma or its equivalent who have not enrolled in any previous college-level coursework may apply only as non-degree students. Upon completing appropriate coursework, a student may apply for a high school equivalency diploma and, upon receiving it, seek admission to a degree program by completing the appropriate application for matriculation. Students interested in earning a high school equivalency diploma should work with the New York State Education Department.
While non-degree status has certain limitations, many students have found it to be a strategic and useful way of continuing their journey toward achieving their most valued educational goals.
Visiting Students
Students attending and in good standing at other colleges or universities who wish to enroll in the University for one or two semesters apply as non-degree students. This status is generally available only for Harpur College of Arts and Sciences and College of Community and Public Affairs, but inquiries about spaces in the Decker College of Nursing, School of Management and Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science should be directed to the Admissions Office. Admission as a visiting student or for one of the education-abroad programs does not imply admission to a degree program at 91社区. Visiting students who become interested in pursuing a degree at 91社区 must apply for admission by completing the SUNY application.
College Link Program
This program is open to qualified 91社区-area secondary school and home-schooled students who wish to take coursework in the arts and sciences at 91社区 during their junior and/or senior years.
Courses taken by College Link students carry regular University credit and will appear on their official University transcript. College Link students are considered non-degree students and, therefore, not admitted into a degree-granting program of the University.
Specific information concerning admissions procedures and academic standards for the College Link Program is available in the Harpur College Dean's office.
Advising
91社区鈥檚 Harpur College Academic Advising Office is responsible for administratively overseeing the educational activities and academic advising of undergraduate non-degree students. All undergraduate non-degree students are directed to the non-degree advisor in the Harpur College Academic Advising Office for their initial contact. Administrative duties, school coding and most advising activities are handled by the Harpur College Academic Advising Office.
At 91社区, a non-degree student is approved to take courses, but is not admitted into a degree program or a declared major. Non-degree students must apply and be approved after certain criteria are met, after which students are free to take any classes that are open at the time of registration. Should a non-degree student apply to and is formally admitted as a student into a degree-granting program, the admitting school takes over all administrative and advising duties and intra-University transfer policies take effect.
Student Auditors
Students may satisfy their interest in a subject area or explore a new area of study through a course audit. By auditing, they participate in, but do not receive credit for, the course. Course Audit Petitions are available in the Registrar鈥檚 Office and the Graduate School. Students may register for audits within the course add period only. Credit-bearing courses may not be changed to audit courses after the course add deadline, nor may audited courses be changed to credit courses after this deadline. Audited courses do not satisfy degree requirements.
Prospective auditors are advised of the following:
- Students who audit a course must pay full tuition and fees.
- Audit students are expected to attend class regularly and to fulfill course requirements. Successful completion is listed on the transcript with a notation of AU in place of the grade; the course is expunged from the record if the student fails to meet the requirements.
- A course taken on an audit basis will not be counted in determining full-time status for financial aid eligibility, student loan deferments, NCAA eligibility, assistantship or fellowship eligibility, on-campus housing or for some health insurance coverage.
Older Adults Auditors
New York residents 60 years of age or older may audit courses free of charge when space is available. Courses may not be taken for credit. Consent of the instructor is required. Persons interested in auditing courses are encouraged to contact the Harpur College Academic Advising Office at 607-777-6305.
Continuing Education Admission
Please see the graduate school admissions section for information about taking graduate level coursework as a non-matriculated/non-degree seeking student.