Non-Degree Students
Welcome!
The Department of History and Art History welcomes all students to our classes and community. Taking courses in non-degree status is an excellent way to assess the suitability of a new path, like returning to school or changing careers, or just to broaden one's horizons and enjoy the learning process.
Students may enroll in most History and Art History undergraduate and graduate courses, with some caveats. Some classes have registration restrictions limiting them to degree-seeking students, but the vast majority of our classes are open to everyone, once admitted to the University in non-degree status.
Our Courses
Each semester, the Department of History and Art History provides detailed information on our current course offerings, often including a syllabus.
The University Catalog enables visitors to browse courses A-Z. Note that not every Mason class is offered every semester.
The University Registrar makes each semester's class schedule available to the public (top right menu if the link doesn't work).
Look for "Registration Restrictions" in a course's listing to see whether non-degree students may take it.
The Application Process
If you're interested in taking courses with us in non-degree status, your next step is to apply to the University for non-degree admission at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
Non-degree applicants have to meet admissions standards similar to those for degree-seeking applicants. While non-degree applicants must document their credentials and interest, but they do not have to take standardized tests or provide letters of recommendation. University Admissions provides detailed information at Non-Degree Admissions.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences provides additional information about graduate non-degree admission at Applying for Non-Degree Graduate Study.
Non-degree admission is offered for one semester at a time, which means paying the application fee each time. However, for seniors participating under the Senior Citizen Higher Education Act of 1974 (see below), the application fee is waived.
Virginia Senior Citizens
Virginia seniors are a wonderful presence in our courses! Under the Senior Citizen Higher Education Act of 1974, Virginians aged 60 or older are eligible to audit our courses for free. Auditors attend class and participate to whatever extent they (and the instructor) are comfortable. That same law also enables qualifying low-income Virginia seniors to take courses for credit for free.
As described here, Seniors apply to the University in non-degree status (undergraduate or graduate). Once admitted, they register to audit courses that are open to non-degree students. To avoid tuition, they file a tuition waiver for each semester they register.
The Registrar details the process here.
University Admissions provides additional guidance.