Classification and Categories of Students

Classification of Students

Undergraduate: Undergraduate standing 

Undergraduate students are classified by the Office of Admissions and Records based upon the number of semester credits they have completed:

Students usually must be classified as juniors or seniors in order to register for courses numbered 300 through 499.

Dual Enrollment: Students enrolled at the University earning credit for college-level courses that also count towards high school diploma graduation requirements.

Concurrent enrollment: Students enrolled in a postsecondary course taught to high school students by a high school instructor mutually agreed upon by the NSHE institution and high school. 

Undergraduate: Nondegree – Students not admitted to a degree program.

Graduate: Graduate standing – Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution who have been admitted to an advanced degree program.

Graduate: Graduate special – Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution who have not been admitted to an advanced degree program. Graduate special students are not eligible for financial aid.

Professional degree: Students admitted to the M.D. or P.D. in Education or Professional Engineer programs.

Categories of Students 

Regular: An individual who is admitted to a degree program is defined as a regular student and is classified according to the total number of semester credits completed.

A regular student may enroll either full time or part time for any given semester.

Nondegree: An individual who is not admitted to a degree program is defined as a nondegree student.  A nondegree student may register for a maximum of eight undergraduate-level semester credits (or equivalent) in classroom instruction in one semester. This includes students in noncredit courses and those students registered as auditors. Although there is no limit to the number of credits that may be earned as a nondegree student, a maximum of 30 semester credits is acceptable toward a baccalaureate degree. Nondegree students are not eligible for financial aid, including student loans.

All nondegree students are governed by university regulations and are encouraged to seek official admission at the earliest possible date.

Nondegree students may also register in courses offered through the Division of Continuing Education.