FAQs for Non-Degree-Seeking Students

A non-degree seeking student is someone seeking to take a course or two without earning a degree. There are two types of non-degree-seeking students: undergraduate and graduate non-degree-seeking students.

You are considered an undergraduate non-degree-seeking student if you graduated from a recognized high school (or have the educational equivalent), are not currently seeking a degree, and want to take undergraduate coursework (100-400 level). You are considered a graduate non-degree-seeking student if you earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, are not currently seeking a degree, and want to take graduate coursework (500-level or higher).

If you are currently a high school student, then you would apply as a high school special student and follow a slightly different enrollment process. Please follow the steps for high school special students here.

Yes, UW-Eau Claire has many students that take a class or two while enrolled at another institution.

Yes, you will receive credit unless you are auditing the course. (More information on auditing courses can be found here.) If you plan to transfer credits taken at UW-Eau Claire to another institution, confirm with that institution that they will accept the transfer credit.

If you are applying to take undergraduate coursework (100-400 level) complete the UW System application. If you are applying to take graduate coursework (500-level or higher), view your application process here.

Undergraduate non-degree-seeking students do not have to submit transcripts.

As part of the application process, non-degree-seeking graduate students must upload unofficial transcripts from any institution where they earned a bachelor's degree or any other advanced degree. Prior to enrollment, final official transcripts must also be provided.

Undergraduate non-degree-seeking students do not have to pay an application fee. Graduate non-degree-seeking students will need to pay an application fee as part of their application.

Please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@uwec.edu or 715-836-5415, and a staff member will determine whether or not you need to reapply.

Follow these steps to access the class schedule online.

Contact the department directly to see what they need from you to verify your completion of the prerequisite. Please be prepared to provide an unofficial copy of your transcript to be considered.

Depending on prior coursework taken, you may or may not need to take placement tests for Math, English, or World Languages (French, German, or Spanish). Contact Advising, Retention and Career Center at arcc@uwec.edu or 715-836-3487 for more information.

The only financial aid non-degree-seeking students are eligible to apply for is the Returning Adult Fund. This award is made each spring and fall semester to nontraditional students, age 23 and older, who are returning to school after an interruption in their education and are independent of parental support. Financial need is required. To apply for the Returning Adult Student Fund, complete the "Nontraditional Students and Student Parents Scholarship Application in Gold for Blugolds.

Non-degree-seeking students will be able to access their UW-Eau Claire email address after they register for classes.

You will receive an email with information about how to register within about 24-48 hours of submitting your application.

View your next steps to register here, including how to activate your student account, sign your Payment Plan Agreement, and search/register for classes.

Undergraduate non-degree-seeking students can register for up to 12 credits in the spring and fall semesters. Graduate non-degree-seeking students can register for up to 15 credits during the spring and fall semesters.

Non-degree-seeking students are the last to enroll – usually a couple of days before the term begins, after all degree-seeking students have enrolled. Sometimes there are not many course seats available at that time, so there is a possibility you will not be able to get into the course you want. If this is the case, you can wait to see if there are students who drop out of the course you want to take. If no seats open up in the class, you can try to enroll in the course in a future semester. For questions regarding course and course registration, contact the Advising, Retention and Career Center at arcc@uwec.edu or 715-836-3487. For questions about reapplying for a future semester, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@uwec.edu or 715-836-5415. 

Provided that there is not a break in enrollment for the major terms (fall term or spring term), a non-degree-seeking student does not need to reapply. If there is a break in enrollment for undergraduate non-degree-seeking students of one year (two major terms) or more, they will need to reapply. If there is a break in enrollment for graduate non-degree-seeking students of three years (six major terms) or more, they will need to reapply.

No, non-degree-seeking students cannot receive degrees.

Non-degree-seeking students seeking a certificate may consult with the department offering the certificate.

Please contact Blugold Central at blugoldcentral@uwec.edu or 715-836-3000 for assistance with auditing a course. It is at the discretion of the instructor to allow students to audit a class, and their signature is required as part of the process.

You do not have to pay tuition as a senior citizen, but you do have to pay for segregated fees and special course fees. You must also be a Wisconsin resident to qualify for senior audit status. Please contact Blugold Central at blugoldcentral@uwec.edu or 715-836-3000 for assistance with auditing a course.

You do not have to pay tuition if you have a disability, but you do have to pay for segregated fees and special course fees. You must also be a Wisconsin resident to qualify for audit status. Please contact Blugold Central at blugoldcentral@uwec.edu or 715-836-3000 for assistance with auditing a course and for information regarding any disability documentation needed.

For questions about completing the application, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@uwec.edu or 715-836-5415. For questions regarding course and course registration, contact the Advising, Retention and Career Center at arcc@uwec.edu or 715-836-3487.