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GCAC-304 - Nondegree Admission

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Academic Goal

To define the conditions under which the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School will offer admission to students who do not intend to pursue a graduate degree thus allowing them to take graduate-level courses.

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Purpose

To define the category of nondegree admission.

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Scope

All applicants to the Fox Graduate School who do not wish to pursue a graduate degree.

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Background

Policy Statement

  1. Applicants for nondegree admission must have received from a regionally accredited institution a baccalaureate degree earned under residence and credit conditions substantially equivalent to those required by Penn State.
  2. Admission as a nondegree graduate student neither guarantees nor implies subsequent admission to a degree program.
  3. Nondegree students are not eligible to receive fellowships or graduate assistantships.
  4. Preference for courses is given to degree students.
  5. Changing from graduate nondegree status to regular status requires a new admission application.
    1. A maximum of 15 graduate credits taken as a nondegree student prior to admission to a graduate degree program may be applied to a graduate program, with departmental approval. The credits must have been earned within five years preceding entry into the degree program. (See GCAC-309 Transfer Credit).

Revision History

  • Adapted from Graduate Bulletin: June 2018
  • Last Graduate Bulletin update: August 2016
  • Editorial revisions to reflect the new name of the Fox Graduate School, July 19, 2024