Become a non-degree student by submitting a “non-degree student form”
The non-degree form is for students who have never taken courses at or applied to Fitchburg State University previously, who wish to take courses for university credit, but do not intend to pursue a Fitchburg State University degree at this time.
If you have previously applied or taken a course, you will be considered a returning student. Do not fill out the “non-degree student form”. Not sure of your student status? Email the Registrar’s Office at registrar@fitchburgstate.edu or call 978.665.4196.
Graduate Non-Degree Student Policy/Procedures
A graduate non-degree student holds a baccalaureate degree or higher and may take classes in most graduate or certificate programs, but is not matriculated as a degree candidate. Additional policies applying to these students are as follows:
Graduate non-degree students, who intend to matriculate into a graduate degree, are allowed to register for a maximum of 12 credits toward that degree, prior to admission. Graduate courses at the 6000-level are exempt from this policy.
Credit from courses taken prior to admission may apply to a degree only if prerequisites for the program are met and approval is received from the program chair or advisor at the time of admission to the program.
Graduate non-degree students must adhere to the same academic policies and student code of conduct that apply to graduate degree-seeking students (e.g., course registration deadlines, fees, drop/add, withdrawals, refund policies, grading, retention policies, etc.).
Students who wish to enroll in Fitchburg State courses for the purpose of transfer to another institution should check with their advisor (at the other institution) to ensure transferability.
Restrictions
- Non-degree seeking registration options are not available for certain online accelerated programs. Email gceadvisor@fitchburgstate.edu for more information.
- Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid or merit scholarships.
- Ineligible for assignment of an academic advisor.
- International students, holding a visa, should contact the School of Graduate and Continuing Education Associate Director at gce@fitchburgstate.edu before they register for courses as a non-degree student.
Undergraduate Non-Degree Student Policy/Procedures
An undergraduate non-degree seeking student is a high school graduate or equivalent, who is not applying for a degree program, but wishes to enroll in undergraduate university courses. (Students interested in taking courses, while still in high school must apply to the Fitchburg State Dual Enrollment Program or participate as a part of an established university pathways program.) Students registered for academic coursework as a non-degree student are not eligible for federal financial aid. MA State Categorical Tuition Waiver benefits require students to be enrolled in a degree or credit-bearing certificate program (Senior Citizen, Veteran, Armed Forces, Native American, and MA Rehab or Commission for the Blind).
Enrollment as a non-degree student is not guaranteed and may be subject to approval. Applicants who have been denied undergraduate degree-seeking status may not register as an undergraduate non-degree seeking student in the same semester.
Coursework taken as a non-degree student will only count towards a degree program if the student is admitted to the University, the coursework meets the GPA requirements, and has been completed within the statute of limitations for the degree.
Up to 30 Semester hours earned as an undergraduate non-degree student may be applied toward an undergraduate degree with the approval of the appropriate department chair and dean upon acceptance into a degree program (provided that a grade of “C-” [1.7] or better has been achieved). Non-degree students seeking undergraduate admission status must apply for full admission to the university once earning 30 credits. A non-degree student may enroll in a maximum of three (3) courses or 12 credits per term.
Students who wish to enroll in Fitchburg State courses for the purpose of transfer to another institution should check with their advisor (at that institution) to ensure transferability.
Undergraduate non-degree students must adhere to the same academic policies and student code of conduct that apply to undergraduate degree-seeking students (e.g., application deadlines, fees, drop/add, withdrawals, refund policies, grading, retention policies, etc.).
Students who subsequently decide to pursue a degree must submit the appropriate admission application. Enrollment as an undergraduate non-degree student does not guarantee admission into an undergraduate degree program. All information used to make an admission decision must be received by the published deadline.
Undergraduate non-degree students are exempt from the Math Readiness Requirement and are therefore not required to take the Math Placement Exam, but must have satisfied the required prerequisite courses or equivalent.
Restrictions
- Non-degree seeking registration options are not available for certain online accelerated programs. Email gceadvisor@fitchburgstate.edu for more information.
- Not all majors permit non-degree students to register for courses. Contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@fitchburgstate.edu for details.
- Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid or merit scholarships.
- Ineligible for assignment of an academic advisor.
- International students, holding a visa, should contact the School of Graduate and Continuing Education, Associate Director at gce@fitchburgstate.edu, before they register for courses as a non-degree student.