Getting Started as a New Visiting or Non-Degree Student

We welcome visiting students interested in completing CU Boulder coursework through Continuing Education. If you have taken classes as a non-degree student in the past, visit the returning student section to learn how to re-engage. If you are new to CU Boulder and Continuing Education, here are the steps to help you get started:

1. Complete the Continuing Education Application

Students new to CU Boulder must complete the quick, online enrollment application for Continuing Education:

NOTE:

  • Select “Non-Degree Undergraduate” if you plan to enroll in undergraduate courses – 1000- to 4000-level

  • Select “Non-Degree Graduate” if you plan to enroll in graduate courses – 5000- and 6000-level

There is no cost or obligation associated with the application process. An email containing an invitation to enroll will be sent to you upon approval of your application. This email contains your student ID and information on the enrollment process.

Non-Degree Application Requirements

You need a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma to enroll in credit courses. If you are under 23 years of age as of September 15 for fall or January 15 for spring, and not officially admitted or enrolled in a CU Boulder degree program, you must submit unofficial copies of either your high school equivalency scores or your high school transcript for review. High school transcripts must include the degree conferral date and must show that you completed your high school degree with at least a 2.0 GPA. Please upload your unofficial documents with your online application. For questions, please email ceregistration@colorado.edu.

Transcripts are not required for the non-degree application submitted for the summer semester. Students under 23 years old must provide unofficial copies of either your high school equivalency scores or your high school transcript  to continue in the fall/spring semester.

2. Select Your Courses

Begin planning your schedule by consulting CU Boulder’s Class Search.

  • Select “Boulder Main Campus” for daytime, on-campus classes (enrollment available through the ACCESS program)

  • Select “Boulder Continuing Education” for CE Evening Credit and CE Online Credit classes.

3. Enroll

Your welcome email will give you detailed information on registering for ACCESS, CE Evening, and CE Online courses.

Non-Degree Prerequisite Approval

If the undergraduate course in which you wish to enroll has prerequisites that have been met through coursework at another college, you must email your unofficial transcript to Continuing Education at ceregistration@colorado.edu for approval. Please include the student ID number included in your welcome email, the course(s) for which you would like to register, including the section number, and the courses on your transcript that you believe fulfill the required prerequisite courses. 

There are some exceptions to this process, as some departments prefer to approve their own prerequisite courses. A Continuing Education Academic Advisor can provide more information if your course request needs further approval.

Most graduate level classes are restricted. You must contact the instructor or the department to get permission to enroll. This can often be done via email. To find instructor email addresses, you may search the online directory.

After you receive written permission from the instructor, please forward that communication along with your course request form (including student ID, course number and section number) to ceregistration@colorado.edu.

Our Enrollment Services team will manually enroll you in the course(s) after prerequisites are approved, and you will receive a confirmation email once officially enrolled.

Transfer Credits

Credits earned through CU Boulder Continuing Education courses are highly transferable. If you are interested in transferring credits to another institution, please follow the steps below to begin the process:

  1. Search CU Boulder’s Class Search to determine if we offer the course(s) you need.
  2. Visit the Transferology website for course equivalencies.
  3. Contact your home college or university to determine their process for accepting transfer credit; the course description and course syllabus are often needed for evaluation. CU Boulder’s Syllabus Archive could be a useful resource.

Contact Continuing Education’s academic advisors for any questions you have about this process.

Transitioning to a CU Boulder Degree Program

Many students use their time as a non-degree student to boost their GPA and strengthen their college applications. Many of CU Boulder’s schools and colleges have specific course prerequisites that you can complete while enrolled as a non-degree student. Please note, enrolling as a non-degree student does not guarantee admission to a CU Boulder degree program.

Buff OneCard

If you plan to attend classes on campus, we strongly recommend you purchase a Buff OneCard in order to access campus services like computer labs, printing services, and dining services. Cards may be purchased for $30 from the Buff OneCard Office located in the Center for Community building in room N180. You must have a Buff OneCard to access CE Evening Credit classes on campus.