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Non-Degree Students

Undergraduate non-degree students are those who want to take Purdue undergraduate classes individually rather than as part of a degree-seeking program.

They may or may not want to pursue a Purdue degree in the future and have not earned a Purdue degree in the past. (If you have earned a Purdue degree in the past, you're a re-entry student even if you just want to take individual classes.) 

Most non-degree students are limited to seven credit hours per semester. 

Application Deadline

Applications must be complete the Monday before the first week of classes

Applying:

  • Complete the Purdue application.
  • Pay the non-refundable application fee ($60 unless eligible for a fee waiver).
  • Submit a transcript from your most recently completed college or high school term.
  • International students from non-English-speaking countries must provide an English proficiency test score.

Criteria and Information for Specific Populations

  • You must have a high school GPA of at least 3.3.
  • You must be at least 16 years old and have completed your sophomore year by the time your Purdue coursework begins.
  • You may enroll in a maximum of seven credit hours per academic term.
  • Home-schooled students who want to take non-degree courses during Purdue's fall or spring terms must demonstrate that they cannot take the desired coursework at a local high school or community college. This is not a requirement during the summer term.

Non-degree coursework "counts" toward your permanent Purdue GPA. In addition, if you apply to a Purdue degree-seeking program in the future, we will use this and all college coursework in your application evaluation.

  • Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must provide an English proficiency test score.
  • International applicants who attend high school in English-speaking countries may provide a letter from a school counselor or principal attesting to their English proficiency. The letter must be provided on school letterhead. 
  • Purdue cannot provide eligibility documents for an F-1 visa for non-degree coursework.
  • International students should contact the Office of International Students and Scholars at iss@purdue.edu or (765) 494-5770 before applying to determine if their immigration status will allow for on-campus, non-degree coursework.  
  • Guest students are those who attend another university and want to take Purdue courses for transfer credit at their home institution. 
  • Guest students may take more than seven credit hours per semester.

If you're a Purdue staff member or retiree who wants to take Purdue coursework on a non-degree basis. Before you apply using the non-degree application, simply contact the Office of Admissions for an access code, admissions@purdue.edu, 765-494-1776.

Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid.

Once admitted, you should contact the Office of the Registrar for your Registration PIN, which will allow you to register for classes online. The Registrar's office can also provide additional information, such as course prerequisites, withdrawing, etc. Some courses are closed to non-degree students.

As a non-degree student, you will receive Purdue course credit and a grade. If you decide to enroll at Purdue as a degree-seeking student at a later date, the credit may be applied to your plan of study, depending on the degree program in which you're enrolled. Grades earned as a non-degree are included in your permanent Purdue GPA.

If you plan to take non-degree courses in future terms, you maintain your registration eligibility as long as you take a course each semester (fall, spring, summer). If you skip a semester, you will need to reapply as a non-degree seeking student. If you've taken courses at another institution since completion of your last Purdue course, you'll need to provide up-to-date transcripts.

To get your registration PIN to sign up for courses, you will need to contact the Registrar's Office. There is a hierarchy to the schedule for class registration and non-degree students are in the last group to register. View the registration schedule

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