Graduate Non-Candidate for Degree/Guest Information
Taking graduate-level courses (those numbered 500 or above) as a Non-Candidate for Degree (NCFD) or Guest at the University of Michigan-Dearborn might be appealing to:
- Professionals seeking to continue studies without completing a full degree course of study;
- UM-Dearborn master's-level graduates returning for professional development (also known as post-graduate)
- Students currently enrolled in a graduate program at another graduate school (also known as Guest students); or
- Individuals wishing to "test out" our institution before a future decision to pursue a graduate degree here.
Applying to Graduate Continuing and Non-Degree Studies
Congratulations on your decision to apply to the University of Michigan-Dearborn!
The University of Michigan-Dearborn is committed to building a diverse learning community. We serve highly motivated candidates whose accomplishments suggest the ability to succeed in graduate study.
The instructions below are intended for applicants for Graduate Non-Candidate for Degree (NCFD)/Guest status.
All graduate applicants are required to meet the following minimum requirements for admission:
- Completion of a four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent*
- Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency
*Effective May 2026: UM-Dearborn is piloting a change in how we evaluate three-year bachelor’s degrees for graduate admission. Rather than relying primarily on the number of years completed, we will use a benchmarking approach to assess whether a three-year degree meets internationally recognized standards of quality and rigor.
- Some credentials may still not be considered equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree for graduate admission. Applicants who have completed additional qualifications, such as an honors degree, post-graduate diploma, or graduate degree in addition to an HND or three-year bachelor’s degree, may strengthen their eligibility.
- Applicants unsure about the equivalency of their educational credentials are encouraged to obtain a course-by-course evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or International Education Evaluation (IEE) with a benchmarking approach. UM-Dearborn will honor benchmarked three-year degree equivalency determinations by these providers.
A holistic review of each applicant is conducted. Admission is granted to applicants who have been recommended for admission by the academic unit. Preference is generally given to students who have at least a B average (3.0 in a 4.0 grading system) in relevant coursework or otherwise provide evidence of promise that is satisfactory to the admitting program.
Applicants should submit all required materials by the posted deadline in order to be considered for admission.
Application Procedures
All materials should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies for processing; any materials submitted to other offices on campus will experience delayed processing.
The Online Application generally opens for Graduate NCFD/Guest applicants two weeks before registration begins for new graduate students until 5 business days before the start of classes. Summer and Fall registration open together.
Final Day to Submit Graduate NCFD/Guest Application
- Fall 2026: August 21
To apply, create a login with a valid email address using the provided link and follow the prompts, which includes a verification email to set your password. You can save your progress since the system allows you to return and finish your application later with your login information.
- Start A New Application
- Under Non-Degree and Certifications, select Start Application
- Select Graduate Guest (if currently enrolled in a graduate program elsewhere) or Graduate Non Candidate for Degree under Non Degree Student Type as applicable
Itemization of the specific course(s) requested for that term is required in the online application; to see what courses are available that term, use the Class Schedule once posted.
Once an Online Application has been submitted, we recommend all applicants become familiar with our instructions on monitoring your portal.
If you need to make changes to your application, reach out to the Office of Graduate Studies via email instead of submitting a new application. A staff member can either provide guidance or update that information for you.
Required Transcripts
Transcript are required for your undergraduate degree-granting institution(s) and all institutions where graduate-level coursework has been completed or is in progress.
Non-U.S. Records
Non-U.S. academic records require an evaluation for institution accreditation validation, U.S. equivalency determination, and grade conversion to the 4.0 scale. Applicants have two options to meet this requirement. While not required, UM-Dearborn strongly encourages you to obtain a course-by-course evaluation from an accepted vendor to expedite your application. If you enroll at UM-Dearborn with an accepted evaluation, you will receive a reimbursement of up to $200 toward the cost, credited to your first term’s bill after the add/drop period ends and enrollment is confirmed.
You are encouraged to compare accepted providers to find the best fit for your needs. Providers differ in cost, turnaround time, and documentation requirements.
Accepted Providers:
- Educational Credential Evaluators preferred
- Designate University of Michigan-Dearborn - Graduate Studies in ECE Dispatch
- Use our custom UM-Dearborn link for a discounted rate of 10% off and a free digital report to be sent to UM-Dearborn
- International Education Evaluators
- Use our custom UM-Dearborn link for a discounted rate of $145
- The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran) - Course Analysis
- Use our custom UM-Dearborn link for a discounted rate of 10% off
- World Education Services - Course-by-Course ICAP
- Designate University of Michigan-Dearborn - Graduate Studies in Access WES
- Educational Perspectives
Course-by-course evaluations from other NACES members may be utilized on a case-by-case basis.
Alternatively, you may request an internal evaluation within your Online Application, used only for institutional assessment and not disclosed to you. If you choose this option, include your transcript legend or grading scale to avoid delays. The internal evaluation begins only after all required materials are received and may extend the timeline to decision by 4 to 6 weeks.
How to Submit Transcripts
An official transcript is securely sent directly from the institution via their approved means or received in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution, bearing the institutional seal and the official signature of the Registrar or Recorder of Records.
- Electronic transcripts can be submitted to [email protected]. Electronic delivery is only accepted when sent directly from the institution, by a Registrar or similar official of the university. Transcripts sent by the applicant via email will be considered unofficial.
- Transcripts can also be sent by mail in an institution-sealed envelope:
Office of Graduate Studies
University of Michigan-Dearborn
4901 Evergreen Road, 2198 SSB
Dearborn, MI 48128-1491
Unsealed, unattested, or notarized copies are considered unofficial.
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency and are required to provide an official score report of an accepted English Language Proficiency Test. Proficiency tests that are accepted are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Duolingo English Test (DET), Michigan English Test (MET). Applicants only need to take one of these test options. Achieving the minimum score does not guarantee admission, only consideration. Please see below for minimum required scores for each proficiency test.
Please see below for minimum required scores for each proficiency test:
- IELTS
- IELTS (Academic)/IELTS Indicator: Overall score of 6.5
- IELTS scores are received electronically. An institution code is not required. Use the following information to locate our institution: University of Michigan, Dearborn - Graduate Studies.
- TOEFL
- IBT Internet-Based Test: Overall score of 79
- Our ETS Institution Code for TOEFL registration is 1861. Individual department codes are not necessary for the TOEFL. As long as the institution code is used, your scores will be electronically delivered to us.
- At this time we are not accepting the TOEFL MyBestScore to meet our English language proficiency requirement and will continue to require the posted overall minimum score for an individual test.
- Duolingo English Test
- Duolingo: Overall score of 105
- Scores should be sent electronically to University of Michigan, Dearborn - Graduate
- Michigan English Test
- MET: Overall score of 57
- Scores should be sent electronically to University of Michigan-Dearborn, Graduate Studies
English Proficiency Exemptions
Applicants are exempt from providing an English language proficiency score if they meet one of the following criteria.
- Applicants who have earned or will earn an accredited bachelor's or master's degree from one of the following countries: United States of America, Australia, or United Kingdom.
- Applicants who have earned or will earn an accredited bachelor's or master's degree from an institution where the language of instruction is exclusively English. Verification from the school is required. Some institutions post a designation directly on the transcript or related academic record (ex. diploma supplement). In cases where there is not a designation on the transcript, a supplemental letter from the institution may be required. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies for further details regarding verification for your case.
Important Policies
All Non-Candidate For Degree and Guest students are:
- Subject to all UM-Dearborn admission and registration regulations.
- Admitted for one term only. Additional registration under this status requires a new application each term.
- Assessed regular UM-Dearborn graduate tuition and related fees for all courses elected.
- Not eligible for financial aid from UM-Dearborn.
- Responsible for determining if credit earned as a NCFD/Guest student will be accepted by their degree-seeking program of interest if applicable.
- Registered on a space-available basis.
- Prerequisites, grading standards, class assignments, and attendance requirements of a course apply to all students in that course. Colleges, departments, schools, and programs determine rules of access to their courses and may limit enrollment of NCFD/Guest students in certain courses. Prospective NCFD/guest students should contact the relevant academic unit for further information on departmental policies and course availability.
NCFD status enables qualified individuals not in a degree-seeking program elsewhere to take a maximum of 6 credit hours for graduate credit. NCFD students register on a space-available basis.
Courses elected by students under this status cannot be counted toward a degree program until the student receives regular degree-seeking admission and the graduate program advisor determines that the courses are acceptable.
Non-Candidate for degree applicants should be aware of the following:
- Admission as a graduate non-candidate for degree student does not guarantee or imply admission or eligibility for a graduate degree-seeking program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. To be considered for transition to a degree-seeking program, a completed graduate degree-seeking application and required supplemental materials must be submitted.
- In order for courses taken as a graduate non-candidate for degree student to be considered as credit towards a graduate degree program, relevant applicable credit evaluation or transfer credit policies should be followed. Advance communication with your program of interest is encouraged.
NOTE: The College of Business on the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus only offers an NCFD option for students who have already earned a regionally-accredited master's degree.
Students currently enrolled in a graduate degree-seeking program at another university may request permission to enroll in graduate courses at the University of Michigan-Dearborn as a guest student. Master’s level students are permitted to enroll for a maximum of 6 semester hours of credit and doctoral level students are permitted to enroll for a maximum of 9 semester hours of credit as a guest student at UM-Dearborn. Guest students register on a space-available basis. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan-Flint students, while still considered guests, are not held to the above credit cap. However, these University of Michigan system students should follow relevant transfer credit policies.
Please note that the University of Michigan-Dearborn participates in the Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) program. Students in good standing at one institution may take advantage of course and research opportunities offered at another institution, provided that such opportunities are not available on the home campus. If your current institution participates in MIGS and the courses you are interested in taking are not available at your home institution, you should consider applying through the MIGS option. Grades earned in MIGS courses may be applied toward the Home Institution grade point average or used for credit toward a graduate degree as allowed by the Home Institution’s policy.