Non-degree Students
As a non-degree student, you:
- Take Purdue undergraduate classes individually rather than as part of a degree-seeking program
- May (or may not) want to pursue a Purdue degree in the future
- Have not previously earned a Purdue degree
- Are usually limited to seven credit hours per semester
If you’ve earned a Purdue degree in the past, you are considered a reentry student even if you just want to take individual classes.
Financial Aid
Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid.
How to Apply
- Complete the Purdue application.
- Pay the nonrefundable application fee ($60 unless eligible for a fee waiver).
- Submit a transcript from your most recently completed college or high school term.
- Provide an English proficiency test score if you are international student from a non-English-speaking country.
Criteria and Information for Specific Populations
- You must have a high school GPA of at least 3.3.
- Priority consideration is given to those who have completed their sophomore year of high school and are 16 years old by the start of any non-degree Purdue coursework, though younger students may still apply.
- You may enroll in a maximum of seven credit hours per academic term.
- If you are a homeschooled student who wants to take non-degree courses during Purdue’s fall or spring terms, you must demonstrate that you cannot take the desired coursework at a local high school or community college. This is not a requirement during the summer term.
Academic record
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 as a non-degree student, you are not required to pay the application fee. Instead, please select the Purdue authorized fee waiver within the application. If you have further questions, please reach out to admissions@purdue.edu or call 765-494-1776.
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.