Admission Requirements and Limitations for Non-Degree-Seeking Undergraduate Students

Non-degree-seeking undergraduate students are individuals who complete courses at St. Thomas without intending to apply any credits earned from those courses toward a degree from St. Thomas. There are three categories of non-degree-seeking undergraduate students: (1) students enrolled in courses via established, university-approved agreements or partnerships; (2) high school students; and 3) all other non-degree-seeking students. Students in the latter two categories of non-degree-seeking students are not eligible for institutional scholarships or federal or state financial aid. All students at St. Thomas, including non-degree-seeking students, are required to follow all academic and non-academic student policies. Academic and disciplinary sanctions—including probation, suspension, or dismissal—apply to non-degree-seeking students.

(1) Non-degree-seeking students who are attending St. Thomas via university-approved agreements or partnerships are subject to the admission procedures, credit limits, and registration times determined by the agreement or partnership in which they are participating.  These students include, but are not limited to, international exchange students and Catholic Enrollment Options students. (St. Thomas does not participate in the Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program through the state of Minnesota.)

(2) High school students request approval to take courses at St. Thomas through the Office of Admissions. To be eligible to take courses, they must be a Junior or Senior (or its equivalent) in high school, submit a high school transcript showing a cumulative GPA of 3.5 (weighted if applicable), have an appropriate school administrator submit a Statement of Support Form, and have a parent/guardian submit a Consent Form if the student is under 18 years of age. High school students begin registration five days before the start of each term on a space-available basis. They are limited to enrolling for eight credits during each of the fall and spring semesters, four credits during the January-term, and a combined total of 16 credits during the summer sessions.  If a course has prerequisite requirements, high school students may enroll in that course only if they meet all the requirements. Although high school students are not classified as first-year, sophomore, junior, or senior, any courses they complete are part of their permanent postsecondary academic record. High school students who wish to pursue a degree program after high school graduation must make a formal application for admission through the Office of Admissions. For these students, like all other non-degree students below, a maximum of 24 credits taken at St. Thomas may be applied toward a St. Thomas degree program.

(3) All other non-degree students not included in the previous two categories, request approval to take courses at St. Thomas through the Office of Student Data and Registrar. Although they are not seeking a degree, St. Thomas will verify their previous academic enrollment through the National Student Clearinghouse or through a copy of their high school transcript or diploma. These non-degree students begin registration five days before the start of each term on a space-available basis.  They are considered non-degree-seeking undergraduate students and are not classified as first-year, sophomore, junior, or senior. These non-degree students are limited to enrolling for eight credits during each of the fall and spring semesters, four credits during the January-term, and a combined total of 16 credits during the summer sessions. A non-degree student who wishes to change status and pursue a degree program must make a formal application for admission through the Office of Admissions. For these students, a maximum of 24 credits taken at St. Thomas may be applied toward a St. Thomas degree program.