Non-Degree

Post-baccalaureate or non-degree admission is a pathway for you to take a graduate class, without taking an admissions test, completing prerequisites or committing to a specific program. Whether for personal enrichment to brush up on your French for an upcoming trip, earn continuing education credit for your job, or see if data science is the new career for you, enrolling as a post-baccalaureate student is a simple process. 

Additionally, students seeking to take courses beyond the baccalaureate degree for transfer to another institution, or as prerequisites for admission to a graduate degree program, may enroll as a post-baccalaureate student.

Why Start as a Non-Degree Graduate Student at UNC Charlotte?

Starting your journey as a non-degree graduate student at UNC Charlotte offers a flexible pathway to achieve your academic and professional goals. This option is perfect for individuals looking to:

• Advance Professionally or Personally: Pursue graduate-level coursework for your own enrichment or to boost your career.
• Prepare for a Degree Program: Take courses while you’re completing an application for a graduate degree or certificate program at UNC Charlotte, or fulfill prerequisite coursework required for admission.
• Transfer Credits: Take courses at UNC Charlotte with the intention of transferring them to a program at another college or university.
• Obtain or Renew a Professional License: Complete the necessary coursework to earn or renew a professional license.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or its U.S. equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body. See the Graduate Catalog Glossary for a list of accrediting bodies.
• Post-baccalaureate students may register for coursework at any level for which they have satisfied the prerequisites. NOTE: Some courses require a permit for registration, so individuals are encouraged to review the Schedule of Classes and contact the individual professor to request and obtain a permit to register.
• If you are seeking initial K-12 Teacher Licensure, you should apply for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Teaching program (rather than apply as a post-baccalaureate student). However, if you do not meet the criteria for admission, you should apply as a Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Teacher Licensure Path student (referred to as GPA forgiveness).  Contact the Teacher Recruiter in the Cato College of Education for assistance.
• For non-native English language speakers:  official and satisfactory scores on the English language proficiency scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo test are required.
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• A nonrefundable, non transferable application fee of $25 USD for each application submitted. Admission is valid for one specific term only so individuals should apply for post-bac admission each semester they wish to enroll.

Additional Information

• Students will be subject to academic regulations and standards required of degree-seeking students.
• The post-baccalaureate classification carries with it no implication that a student will be admitted to a degree program.
• The application fee for post-baccalaureate admission $25.  Admission is limited to one term and students must apply for each term they wish to enroll as a post-bac.
• Students who enroll in undergraduate-level courses are charged at the undergraduate rate for those courses and those who enroll in graduate-level courses are charged at the graduate rate for courses for which they are registered.  Registration will be reviewed after the add/drop period has ended, and tuition charges will be adjusted for any undergraduate level courses taken.
• A post-baccalaureate student who is subsequently admitted to a graduate degree program may request completed graduate credit be used toward their degree program. All coursework must be approved by the Graduate Program Director of the degree program.
• F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders:  UNC Charlotte cannot provide visa sponsorship for post-baccalaureate study for international students who are on, or hope to attain, F-1 or J-1 Student/Scholar visa status. However, certain international students already on post-program Optional Practical Training (for F-1) or Academic Training (for J-1) may be eligible to undertake post-baccalaureate study if 1) the individual holds a valid Employment Authorization Document for the entire duration of admission term, and 2) the individual has consulted with their visa sponsor/former institution about the rules, eligibility for, and implications of undertaking “incidental study” while simultaneously on OPT or Academic Training.
• Post-baccalaureate students may register for graduate and/or undergraduate courses if permitted by the departments. Note, however, that post-bac students are not guaranteed access to specific courses since that may have restricted registration: such courses may require prerequisites, may already be full/at capacity for enrollment, or may only be available for students admitted to certain degree/certificate programs. To accommodate degree-seeking students, some academic departments only allow students already admitted to degree programs to enroll in their courses. On an individual basis, post-baccalaureate students may be issued a ‘permit’ (by the academic unit) to register for restricted courses if they meet stated prerequisites and have written permission from the course instructor and/or department chairperson.
• Post-Baccalaureate students are not eligible for financial aid or funding. You can set up a payment with Student Accounts.

Senior Citizen Course Audit

North Carolina residents aged 65 or older who meet the university’s residency requirements and admission standards can audit courses tuition-free.  To audit a course, seniors must complete an online application. It’s recommended that the desired course be identified and departmental/instructor approval be obtained before submitting the application. Eligible seniors can audit up to four credit hours per semester.