Graduate Non-Degree Study

Are you interested in taking courses for personal, professional or academic enrichment without enrolling in a degree program? 

Are  you a newly graduated student needing to finish up some pre-requisites before applying for a degree program? A professional thinking about switching fields? Do you just want to enroll in a few courses to learn a new language? Non-degree study may be right for you.

Graduate non-degree study is open to individuals who have already obtained at least a baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent), or will have obtained the degree prior to the start of the admission term.

UIC has two categories of non-degree study:

• General, Unassigned Non-degree
  • The application and admission is managed entirely by the Office of Admissions.
  • Students would not be able to enroll in restricted courses without obtaining permission from the course instructor or department.
• Departmental, Major-specific Non-degree
  • We recommend that you contact the department first to see if they offer non-degree study and whether it would be appropriate in your case.
  • The application will need to be considered for admission by the department.
  • The department may have additional requirements.
  • May allow registration in restricted courses (confirm with the department).

Please note the following deadlines for submission of non-degree applications for each term:

Non-degree applications for specified terms will be unavailable once the deadline passes. Application materials for applications already submitted will still be accepted after the application deadline.

*Some departmental non-degree programs may have earlier application deadlines or may only be offered for certain terms. Please check in with the department prior to applying.

Application

• Submitted online application
• $70 application fee (non-refundable) or applicable waiver

Requirements

Most graduate non-degree applications only require the online submission of a proof of degree.

• Proof of degree should be a PDF copy of a either a degree certificate/diploma or a transcript on which the award of a degree is indicated.
  • If the degree is still in progress and will be completed prior to the admission term, a transcript should be submitted. Proof of degree will then be requested after admission.
  • Note that copies of web-academic histories obtained from student portals are not acceptable.
  • International degrees issued in a non-English language should be accompanied by a certified translation.
    • Additional credentials may be requested, if necessary, to confirm degree equivalency.

Departmental non-degree applications may require additional documentation. Contact the department for additional information concerning their requirements.

If all prior coursework was done abroad, English proficiency requirements may apply.

International applicants who would need a student visa in order to enroll at UIC are not eligible for non-degree study.

Applicants who are in the US on a visa such as the H1B or H4 are eligible for non-degree study. Contact us if you're not sure whether your visa status would allow for non-degree study

• Graduate Non-degree students may register for courses at all levels, however, some courses are restricted to students within a specific program or department.
  • Contact the course instructor or department for approval. Approval decisions lie at the discretion of the instructor or department.
• Non-degree students are eligible to begin registering during the Open Registration period, after the priority registration periods for degree-seeking students.
• Course availability cannot be guaranteed.
• Students who do not enroll for their term of admission will need to apply for admission again for a later term. Non-degree admission cannot be deferred.
• Tuition is assessed at the Graduate Base Rate. Differentials may apply for departmental non-degree students if the major associated with the departmental non-degree program assesses a differential.
• Admission as a non-degree student does not entitle a student to admission in a degree program at a later date. Non-degree students must apply for consideration of admission to a degree program.
  • No more than 12 credit hours earned as a Graduate Non-degree student can be transferred into a degree program at UIC.
• Non-degree students do not qualify for financial aid.
• Non-degree students are not assigned an academic advisor.
  • Departmental non-degree students may inquire within the department for advising options.