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.  

Non-Candidate For Degree (NCFD)

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.  

Guest Students

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.

All NCFD/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.