Adult Studies & Post Bac
The center for adult studies offers support and services for nontraditional students including a quick-admit procedure and day and evening classes.
Nondegree is an academic term for "not formally accepted into a degree program". It is a great way to start your college career or to gain personal and professional growth. As a nondegree student you take the same courses as everyone else and you earn the same college credit.
You may attempt a total of 18 credits (usually about 6 courses) as a nondegree student. After that, you will have to apply for admission. If you're a college graduate and have no intention of pursuing another undergraduate degree, you can take as many courses as you want. Nondegree students can take a maximum of 11 credits each semester.
You can be a nondegree student if:
- You have graduated from high school or received your GED three or more years ago.
- You have fewer than 30 credits from another college or university with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
- You have earned a college degree and want to take courses for professional or personal development.
- You are a high school student with a letter of recommendation from your guidance counselor or principal.
West Chester University recognizes and awards credit for life/learning experience that can accelerate a student's degree by as much as a full year.
ACCELERATE THE TIME IT TAKES TO EARN YOUR DEGREE
Are you self-motivated, have prior knowledge, and/or are willing to study independently? You can take a year off the time it takes to earn your degree and save up to $4,000 in tuition! West Chester University has three options available for you to earn college credit:
- Credit by exam ($84 fee): If you feel you already know the material taught in a course, you may demonstrate this knowledge by applying for credit by exam. This is processed through the Registrar's Office
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP) ($84 fee): Demonstrate knowledge gained independently or learn new material through this structured program. You can complete most of your general education requirements through CLEP. Contact Registrar's Office.
- Portfolio Assessment (one-half the tuition of the course): You may choose to develop a portfolio demonstrating competency rather than take an exam. The portfolio is developed for a specific course, demonstrating and documenting your learning experience relative to the course. Contact gradstudy@wcupa.edu
For additional information about these options, contact the Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education at 610-436-2458 or e-mail gradstudy@wcupa.edu.
Nondegree Registration Form (Undergraduate)
The Senior Citizen Policy
The Senior Citizen Program allows retired Pennsylvania residents to attend West Chester University tuition free on a SPACE-AVAILABLE BASIS. To qualify, the student must be retired, at least 60 years old, and have been a Pennsylvania resident for at least a year. Students may enroll as either degree or nondegree students and may audit or take courses for credit. The program does not include internships, independent study, individualized instruction, student teaching, thesis, seminar, or any similar course requiring extra faculty compensation for the additional enrollment. All scheduling information is available in the Office of Graduate Studies.
Senior citizen students may not register prior to the beginning of classes. They must attend the first meeting of the class(es) for which they wish to register and obtain the instructor's signature on their schedule, indicating there is space available in the class. They then return their signed schedule, along with a signed Senior Citizen fee waiver form and signed audit form if they wish to audit, to the Office of Graduate Studies. The office then schedules the student and submits the fee waiver form to the Office of Financial Aid.
