If you do not intend to pursue a graduate degree at this time, but want to take graduate-level courses for personal enrichment, professional development, a graduate certificate, or might later want to apply for degree status, you can seek admission as a nondegree student.

Changing from graduate nondegree status to regular status requires a new admission application. If you choose to enter Penn State as a graduate nondegree student, you must understand that no more than 15 credits of course work accumulated in nondegree status can count toward a graduate degree. Also, admission as a nondegree student does not guarantee admission to a graduate degree or certificate program. Finally, nondegree students are not eligible to receive fellowships or graduate assistantships and preference for courses is given to degree students. Programs control access to some courses.

Individuals interested in taking classes as a nondegree student at the College of Medicine need to:

1) Complete a Penn State University nondegree application.  Please note, the nondegree application fee is non-refundable.  Apply here for nondegree admission to the graduate programs at the College of Medicine.

2) Complete a Penn State College of Medicine Nondegree Course Enrollment Form.

3)  If you are not already a student or employee at Penn State Hershey:

• complete an Penn State Hershey Access Account Request Form - this will allow you to access computers and library services at the the Penn State Hershey.   Complete section 3 and sign pages 1 and 2; submit completed form to Kathy Simon in C1712, Office of Graduate Student Affairs.
• complete a Penn State University Access Account Application.  Complete the form and submit completed from to Kathy Simonin C1712, Office of Graduate Student Afffairs
• complete an ID Badge Request Form; submit completed form to Kathy Simon in C1712, Office of Graduate Student Affairs.

4) Returning Nondegree Students: 

• if you were enrolled last semester, you may register on-line using eLion
• if you had a lapse in your enrollment (excluding summer semesters), please complete a resume study form and submit to the office of Graduate Enrollment Services. Only after your form is received and your record reactived by the University will you be able to enroll.  This typically takes 5-7 working days after receipt of form.

5) Federal financial aid is not available for nondegree students. Additional information  can be found on the Penn State Office of Student Aid website.