Non-Degree Students

Enhance your current skill set at work, test out a new career direction, or explore a personal interest! If you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, four-year institution, you may be eligible to take graduate-level courses as a non-degree student.

Online Courses through University Without Walls

How to Enroll

Enrollment information is available through University Without Walls.

On-Campus Courses in Fall and Spring

Submit the Non-Degree Graduate Student Application for On-Campus Courses.

Financial Obligations

Tuition for university session courses is assessed per credit according to residency status. Applicable mandatory fees are assessed according to credit total.

Tuition and fee information is available through the Office of the Bursar. Non-degree graduate students enrolled in university session courses are billed according to the graduate tuition rates, regardless of the level of the course enrolled in. Please review this information carefully, and note that the tuition and fee structure for university session courses differs from that of courses offered through University Without Walls.

How to Register

Once you have applied, you will receive an email with a Net ID and password to register for your classes using SPIRE, our online student information system. Use “Search Classes/Catalog” function to access course information.

If you have any issues with SPIRE, please contact the IT Help Center at (413) 545-9400 or it [at] umass [dot] edu (it[at]umass[dot]edu) for assistance.

When to Register

For non-degree students taking on-campus university courses in the fall and spring semesters, registration begins one week before classes start. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the date of the first day of classes. If you are unable to self-register for a graduate-level course, contact the academic department to determine if you are eligible. 

Applying Courses Toward a Master's Degree

Course credits earned as a non-degree graduate student do not accumulate toward a graduate degree at this university. However, if you are later admitted to a graduate degree program, a maximum of six (6) graduate credits earned as a non-degree student may be applied to a master's degree program. This requires a favorable recommendation by the appropriate graduate program director and approval by the dean of the graduate school.

Identification Card

Non-degree students are eligible for a UMass identification card, called the UCard, which is also used as a library card. You may obtain your ID card from the UCard Office.