Getting Started as a New Visiting or Nondegree Student

We welcome visiting students interested in completing CU Boulder coursework through Continuing Education. If you have taken classes as a nondegree student in the past, visit the returning student section to learn how to reengage. 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:

• Spring 2024 Enrollment Application
• Summer 2024 Enrollment Application
• Fall 2024 Enrollment Application

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.

Students Under Age 22

Fall and Spring Semesters

For the fall and spring semesters, if you are under the age of 22 as of September 15 for fall or January 15 for spring, you must provide an unofficial copy of your high school transcript or GED and test scores (ACT/SAT) for your application to be processed. You must meet similar standards as first-year students admitted to CU Boulder.

Summer Semester

Transcripts are not required for the nondegree application submitted for the summer semester. Students under 22 years old must provide high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores to continue in the fall/spring semester.

2. Select Your Courses

Begin planning your schedule by consulting CU Boulder’s online schedule of courses.

• 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 invitation to enroll email will give you detailed information on registering for ACCESS, CE Evening, and CE Online courses.

Nondegree 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 submit your unofficial transcript to Continuing Education 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.

All 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 received written permission from the instructor, please forward that communication along with your course enrollment request (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 course schedule 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 nondegree 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 nondegree student. Please note, enrolling as a nondegree 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.