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Visiting Students & Non-degree Study

Office of General Studies

Get Ahead with Credits from UAlbany

Studying at UAlbany as a visiting student allows you to take undergraduate classes without enrolling in a degree program. Non-degree study is a popular choice for:

  • College students who want to transfer credits back to their home institution

  • High school students who want to get a jump on their college credits

  • Individuals who want to experience the rigors of university coursework before committing to a specific program

  • Individuals who wish to learn new skills to expand job opportunities or for life-long learning or need additional course preparation for graduate or professional school

The credits you earn may then be applied to an undergraduate degree program if you choose to continue your education and apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Graduate Level Non-degree Study: If you want to take graduate courses as a visiting student or non-degree student, please visit the Graduate School for instructions.

Application Instructions
Step 1: Determine if you’re eligible

You can apply to take undergraduate courses at UAlbany as a non-degree student if you are one of the following:

  • A student matriculated at another college or university who doesn’t currently have a transfer admissions application pending with UAlbany 
     
  • A current high school senior 
     
  • A high school graduate, or an individual with a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) 
     
  • A student admitted to another college or University who doesn’t have an undergraduate admissions application pending with UAlbany 
     
  • A college graduate, or an individual who previously attended another college or university 
     
  • An individual not affiliated with any college or university 

Former UAlbany Students: If you previously attended UAlbany and are ready to re-enroll, please visit the Undergraduate Readmission or Graduate Readmission pages to get started. 

New UAlbany Students:

  • If you’re entering UAlbany as a new undergraduate student this coming spring semester, you are not eligible to take Winter Session classes this year. 
     
  • If you’re entering UAlbany as a new undergraduate student this coming fall semester and want to take Summer Session classes, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to update your enrollment date.
Step 2: Submit your application

You must apply online before you can register for classes at UAlbany. You’ll receive an admissions decision via email 1-2 business days after you submit your application. 

Note: You must re-apply for each new semester and/or term. (For example, if you’re admitted for spring non-degree study and want to come back for summer, you must reapply.)

Step 3: Submit required health documentation

Once you’ve received an email confirming your admission, follow these instructions for setting up a NetID and password, which you’ll use to access UAlbany portals.

All students who attend UAlbany, including visiting students and non-degree students, must complete all Immunization & Health Requirements before they can register for classes.

 

Registration Instructions

You may register for up to 19 credits each fall, spring or summer. You may register for up to eight credits each winter.  

Visit the Academic Calendar for Advanced Registration dates and deadlines. Explore our wide range of class offerings on the Schedule of Classes.

If you don’t register for any classes by 11:59 p.m. on the first day of classes, you will be charged a $40 late registration fee to enroll in classes.

 

Step 1: Check your Enrollment Appointment & Holds

Your enrollment appointment is the earliest time you can register for classes.

You can register for classes any time after your appointment begins, within the registration period. However, we suggest you register as soon as possible to allow for the best selection of classes.

Check your enrollment appointment online. (Once you’ve signed in, you’ll need to select the correct semester and click “Continue.”)

We also suggest that you check your holds now. You won’t be able to register until you have resolved any holds on your student account.

Step 2: Plan Your Schedule

Contact us at [email protected] or 518-442-5140 to request a virtual advising appointment to plan your schedule.

During this meeting, you’ll get your Advisement Verification Number (AVN), which you’ll need to register. 

Use the Schedule of Classes to determine which course(s) you would like to take. 

Be sure to read any footnotes or comments added to the course sections you select. You may need to get a permission number from the instructor or department to register for a class. 

Additionally: 

  • If you’re a student at another college or university, you should discuss course options with your advisor at your home institution before you register to ensure you have the prerequisites for the course(s) and the credit(s) will transfer back to your school. 

  • If you are a high school student, you will only be allowed to register for 100- and 200-level courses. Registration is handled on a space-available basis, with priority given to students currently enrolled in a college or university. 

Step 3: Register for Classes
  1. Sign into the AVN Verification Portal. Use your Net ID and password.  
      

  1. Click the check boxes to acknowledge that you’ve read and understand the financial terms and conditions for registration at the University at Albany.  
      

  1. Enter your Advisor Verification Number (AVN) into the vacant field next to the appropriate semester or term.  
      

  1. Click “Save.”  
     

  1. Sign into the Enrollment Portal. Use your Net ID and password.  
      

  1. Choose the correct semester or term, then select “Continue.”  
      

  1. Enter the class number. Then, click “Enter.”  
      

  1. View the class in your cart. If needed, enter a permission number and/or change the units. Then, click “Next.”  
      

  1. Confirm the class. Then, click on “Proceed to Step 2 of 3.”  
      

  1. View the results. Then, click on “Finish Enrolling.”  
      

  1. Check the status of your enrollment. A green checkmark indicates successful enrollment. A red X indicates an error occurred.  
      

  1. Click “My Class Schedule” to verify your enrollment. 

Step 4: Add or Drop Classes (if applicable)

Adding a Class 

Add periods are determined by the class session (semester-length, 8 Week, etc.). Visit the Academic Calendar for exact Add deadlines. 

Please follow the instructions for registering for classes above to add a class.

 

Dropping a Class

Drop periods are determined by the class session (semester-length, 8 Week, etc.). Visit the Academic Calendar for exact Drop deadlines. 

Note: You cannot withdraw from a course after the Drop period ends without approval from the Office of General Studies.

If you’re planning to drop a course without swapping it for another, you should first review UAlbany’s Financial Liability policy. You may need to submit a Tuition Appeal Request, if applicable.

If you are still enrolled in a class after the last day to withdraw with a “W,” you are expected to complete the course. Your grade will reflect all work submitted.  

Note: Simply not attending classes does not constitute a drop or withdrawal.

 

How to Drop a Class

  1. Sign into the Enrollment Portal. Use your Net ID and password.  
      

  1. On the “Drop” tab, click the box to the left of the course(s) you want to drop.  
      

  1. Click “Drop Selected Classes.”  
      

  1. Confirm your selection(s) by clicking “Finish Dropping.”  
      

  1. Click the check boxes to acknowledge that you’ve read and understand the financial terms and conditions for Add/Drop at the University at Albany.  
      

  1. Click “OK.”  
      

  1. View your results. A green checkmark indicates the class was dropped successfully. A red X indicates an error occurred. (If an error occurred, click “Fix Errors” to make changes to make changes to your request.)  
      

  1. Click “My Class Schedule” to verify your dropped course(s).

Additional Information
Cost & Billing

Review per-credit tuition and fees. You will be financially liable for any courses for which you register.  

Note: Visiting students are not eligible for online tuition rates and will be charged at the standard rate based on residency status, regardless of course modality.  For current information on billing and payments, please visit E-Pay.

Financial aid is not available for non-degree students. If you are a visiting student from another college or university, please contact your home institution regarding financial aid.

Financial aid is available for degree-seeking UAlbany students.

Learn more about billing at UAlbany.

Academic Expectations & Rules

For academic regulations and course prerequisites, please refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin and/or Graduate Bulletin.  

Visit the Registrar's Office for Grading Information and Transcripts.

Note: Once admitted, non-degree undergraduate students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). If you don’t maintain a 2.0 GPA and/or fail to complete your courses, you may be subject to dismissal. 

Auditing Classes 

Visit the Course Auditing page for detailed information on formal and informal auditing at UAlbany.

Note: Non-degree undergraduate students should email [email protected] to start the process for auditing.

Contact Us
Office of General Studies
Social Science Building, Room 110

1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12222
United States

Phone
Fax
518-442-5149
Office Hours

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

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