Never stop learning.
Apply as a nondegree-seeking student if you’re interested in taking undergraduate courses but are not seeking a college degree from ºÚÁÏÍø. Apply for a certificate program if you are interested in completing one of the five programs listed below.
A nondegree-seeking student is a student, who wants to earn credit, but who is not seeking a college degree from ºÚÁÏÍø. Nondegree students may be adult students seeking to enhance skills, pursue personal interests, or explore new disciplines before committing to a full degree program.
Nondegree-seeking students may also be students from other colleges or universities who wish to satisfy degree requirements at their home institutions or explore specific disciplines or coursework not offered at their home schools.
High school or college students enrolling as part of one of ºÚÁÏÍø's dual enrollment agreements should also complete the nondegree-seeking student application as a first step.
Four important things to know BEFORE starting your nondegree or certificate application:
- Applicants who have been denied admission to ºÚÁÏÍø through the regular admission process are not eligible to enroll as nondegree-seeking or certificate students.
- Part-time tuition and fees apply to nondegree-seeking and certificate students. You can see the per credit hour rates for your intended enrollment term at the link. There is no Institutional or Federal financial aid available to nondegree-seeking students.
- Nondegree-seeking and certificate students may not be permitted to live in ºÚÁÏÍø's student housing.
- ºÚÁÏÍø cannot issue visa documents for international nondegree-seeking or certificate students.
If you're interested in taking graduate-level courses as a nondegree-seeking student, please contact Graduate Admissions at 312-369-7260 before you begin your application.
ºÚÁÏÍø accepts and reviews applications on a rolling basis, and it’s in your best interest to complete your application as early as possible.
Certificate Programs
ºÚÁÏÍø offers certificate programs in the disciplines listed and linked below. You'll select your preferred certificate program when you complete the application:
Deadlines
The non-degree-seeking and certificate application to ºÚÁÏÍø is only available one semester at a time. We are currently accepting applications for Summer 2026. The submission deadline is Monday, May 25, 2026.
Transcripts
You must meet the prerequisites for any upper-level class. If you are interested in taking an upper-level class, you must submit official college or university transcripts showing the completion of prerequisites to ºÚÁÏÍø Admissions for transcript evaluation.
How to Submit Transcripts
Ask your institution(s) to send official transcripts to ºÚÁÏÍø Admissions at 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605. All transcripts received by mail or in person must be in the original sealed envelope from the school.
We also accept transcripts—when sent directly from the institution—via email to admissions@colum.edu.