How to Audit a College Course

Auditing a college course allows you to attend and participate in a class for educational or self-enhancement purposes without receiving credits toward a degree. You can audit courses at most higher education institutions whether you are currently enrolled as a student or not. However, each institution's policy regarding class auditing may vary and you may be required to pay a fee, especially if you are not currently enrolled as a student.

Things You'll Need

• Name and contact information of college admissions representative or registrar
• Available course list
• Name and contact information of course professor

Instructions

1. Research colleges in your area that may offer the kind of course you are interested in auditing. Not all colleges offer the same classes. Available courses will also differ depending on the semester. For instance, a course that is offered in the fall semester may not be available in the spring.

2. Contact colleges that you are interested in and request a course catalog. Find the precise course that you are interested in and take note of the course code or number, the professor's name and the semester in which the course is offered.

3. Call or visit the college's admissions representative or registrar and explain that you are interested in auditing the course that you have chosen. The registrar will check to see if your course is open or full. If the class is open, you should be able to register for your course pending permission from the professor who teaches the class. You may be able to audit courses for free if you are a student at the college. If you are not currently enrolled, you may be required to pay a fee at the time of registration.

4. Ask the college's registrar for the course professor's contact information. Contact the professor and explain that you wish to audit his class. In some cases, the college will require you to get signed permission from the professor before registration can be completed. Even if the college does not have such a policy, you should still contact the professor as a courtesy.

5. Receive the course schedule from the registrar and audit your course.

References

• Penn State University Undergraduate Advising Handbook: Auditing a Course