Non-Degree Seeking Student

Non-degree seeking student status does not require a formal admission process or formal entrance requirements. Enrollment as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee future admission to the University. Students who wish to apply for full admission should refer to the appropriate instructions for first-year, transfer, post-baccalaureate, returning Western student, or graduate admission.

• Non-degree seeking students do not qualify for financial aid or student services such as academic advising or career services. Access to departmental advisers is at the discretion of the individual departments and colleges.
• Non-degree seeking students are not eligible to register or get on wait lists until the first day of the quarter. 
• Students who have been dismissed from Western due to low academic standing may not enroll as non-degree seeking students except during summer quarter.
• A student must be formally admitted to Western to apply credit to a degree. A maximum of 45 credits earned as a non-matriculated student may be accepted toward a bachelor’s degree at Western. Contact the Graduate School for information on applying credit to graduate programs.
• Western Washington University reserves the right to deny admission to any non-degree seeking student applicant.

Students enrolled as non-degree seeking are subject to all University academic policies as published in the catalog. They must maintain good academic standing according to University scholarship standards. Continued low scholarship will result in the loss of future registration privileges.

Auditors are persons who desire to attend courses without earning credit. Written permission from the instructor and approval from the Registrar’s Office are required to register to audit a class.

Auditors are not allowed to register until the first day of the quarter, and the course must not have reached maximum enrollment. Changes to or from audit cannot be made after the first five days of the quarter.

Students enrolled for 10 or more non-audited credits may audit a course without an additional charge. Students enrolled for less than 10 credits should refer to the Tuition and Fees section “Auditing a Class.” Students approved to register for an audit are responsible for paying any course fees attached to the course. Students who choose to audit self-supporting classes through Outreach and Continuing Education are required to pay the full amount of tuition and fees.

Auditors do not earn credits and, according to University policy, may not register for performance courses such as physical education activities, laboratory courses, studio courses, independent study courses, language courses, courses not taught in a group setting, and any other course the Registrar deems ineligible. Auditors may not participate in class discussions, write papers, take tests or complete class projects. No grades are assigned, but an official Western transcript is created. Auditing a course cannot be used toward successful completion of academic credit.