A graduate non-degree student is a student who possesses a baccalaureate degree, and who may take courses prior to matriculating into most graduate programs at William Paterson University. As a non-degree student, you may enroll for up to nine graduate credits or three graduate courses. After nine credits, in order to continue, you must file an application for matriculation to be accepted into a degree, certificate,or endorsement program.

If at any time a non-degree student wishes to apply for admission to the University, formal application must be made and complete credentials must be submitted. The nine (9) credit limit does not apply to senior citizens or to students taking undergraduate courses that are necessary for matriculation into a graduate program.

Please note that some graduate programs do not allow non-degree study or require permission prior to taking any non-matriculated courses. The applied clinical and counseling psychology and educational leadership programs are not open to non-degree students. Courses in art, communication disorders, counseling, music and nursing are only available to non-degree students with approval of the appropriate graduate program director. Non-degree applicants to the communication disorders program must submit official transcripts.

Students denied admission to a program may not apply for non-degree study for the same term unless the program director notifies the Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Services in writing.

Non-degree credits may be applied to your master's degree provided the credits are less than six years old. A Change of Status form should be completed at the point of matriculation or after the completion of nine graduate credits. A transcript will be forwarded to your program director, along with the completed Form, to determine the applicability of the non-degree courses.