Non-Degree Applicants

How to apply & register

Deadlines

  • May 25, 2021 (Summer 2021)
  • August 1, 2021 (Fall 2021)​
  • December 1, 2021 (Spring 2022)

We encourage you to apply in advance of the application deadline as certain components of the application require processing time.

Please note: All non-degree students will be required to provide documentation of COVID-19 vaccination completion by August 1, 2021 as a condition of enrollment.

Non-degree students on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus register in one of three schools/colleges depending on the course they wish to take. It is important to follow the correct instructions and complete the appropriate application for the non-degree course(s) that you want. Students interested in apply to and registering for courses in the basic biomedical sciences should do so using the non-degree application offered through the Graduate School.

Any student who has taken a Colorado School of Public Health course as a non-degree student in the last three semesters should skip steps 1-2 and start with step 3.​​​ International students should visit the international applicants page​ to review the International Admissions Requirements. The ColoradoSPH cannot support the issuing of I-20s for F1 and J1 students for non-degree coursework. Students seeking an F1 or J1 visa through graduate coursework should not apply for non-degree status.

If you have not taken any ColoradoSPH courses as a non-degree student in the past three semesters, you must start by applying to receive non-degree student status with the Colorado School of Public Health. 

Begin the application process >​

Please select the following options when completing the application:

  • Career—“Graduate Non-degree”
  • Application details—"Graduate Non-Degree Admissions"
  • Academic interest—"General Nondegree" and then choose "Public Health Nondegree" from the dropdown

Complete all other information, save, and submit the form. A confirmation will be sent once the form is submitted and detailing next steps. You are required to pay a $50 application fee ($75 for international applicants*) and submit an unofficial transcript, a resume, and a course permission form with your application.**

All non-degree students will also be required to submit a background check and immunizations, for a minimum fee of $65, as well as a request for a CU Anschutz badge. Instructions for these two steps will be emailed to accepted applicants.

*ColoradoSPH cannot support the issuing of I-20s for F1 and J1 students for non-degree coursework. Students seeking an F1 or J1 visa through graduate coursework should not apply for non-degree status.

**Kempe Center Summer Institute students only need to submit the application, the fee, and a letter from their program director.

To enroll in a course, download the permission form. This is a fillable PDF, which allows for electronic signatures. Complete the form and obtain the instructors’ signatures indicating their permission for you to take the courses. Applicants must present documentation of sufficient academic background to show adequate preparedness for the course in question to the instructor responsible for the course. Obtaining the instructors’ permission does not assure your registration in the courses. 

After obtaining the instructors’ signatures, submit the form to the Office of Academic & Student Affairs.

Note for returning students: Starting fall 2021, Returning students are required to complete a background check and submit updated immunizations via Castle Branch every three years after their initial program matriculation.

All non-degree students, regardless of when they matriculated, will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by August 1, 2021 in order to be eligible to register for coursework in fall 2021. Email ColoradoSPH.Admissions@cuanschutz.edu with questions.

Starting in fall 2021, all non-degree students must be issued an ID badge in order to access campus. Accepted non-degree students will receive instructions via email to request their badge. Badge pickup will be on Saturday, August 28 on the CU Anschutz campus.

Those who already have a CU Anschutz staff or faculty badge may keep their existing badge, but will need to request student access via the provided badge request form.

Starting one week before the start of classes for the semester, you may register for the courses using the online registration system UCD Access.

If a course is full, you will be able to enter the waitlist for the course. Check back frequently to see if you have been enrolled in the course from the waitlist as you will not receive an email confirmation if you move from the waitlist into the course. The drop/add deadline for each semester is published in the academic calendar.

You have until this date to add or drop courses. A late fee of $60.00 will be assessed for registration after the drop/add deadline. After the drop/add deadline, you must obtain permission from the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs to withdraw from a class. 

You will receive a bill from the Bursar’s Office for the course by email. You must pay for the courses by the stated deadline, which is two weeks after the start of classes.

If a class is dropped after the drop/add deadline, a “W” will appear on the official transcript and you will be responsible for paying the full tuition and fees for the course. Dropping courses after the drop/add deadlines will result in 0% tuition reimbursement.​​​​​

Tuition & fees

  • A one-time matriculation fee of $140 is charged for first-time enrollment at any University of Colorado campus.
  • A background check and submission of immunizations is required at the time of application and must be completed every three years for the student to maintain non-degree status. Background checks are administered through CastleBranch, and typically cost around $65. Instructions for ordering the background check and immunizations portal will be provided by the Office of Academic & Student Affairs.
  • A $50 application fee is charged to apply for non-degree status. If more than three semesters have elapsed since taking courses in non-degree status, the student must reapply and repay the non-degree application fee.
  • Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid, student loans, scholarships or tuition assistance.
  • Non-degree students may use an employee tuition waiver if eligible. See waiver rules and instructions. Waiver students are not allowed to enroll in courses until the first day of classes. Employees may be disqualified for current and future participation in the tuition waiver program if enrollment occurs prior to the first day of classes. It is also not allowable to enroll before the first day of classes and then drop the class and re-enroll on the first day of classes under the tuition waiver benefit.

Additional information

  • Courses at ColoradoSPH may not be audited. However, a student may register for a course for no credit and pay the full tuition and fees. Students must designate “No Credit” by the appropriate deadlines as set forth by the Registrar’s Office. No Credit forms are available from the CU Anschutz Medical Campus Registrar’s Office.
  • Students currently enrolled in a non-ColoradoSPH program must obtain permission from their Department Chairperson or Academic Advisor to register for a non-degree course.
  • If you enroll in a ColoradoSPH MPH or Certificate Program at a later date, a total of 9 credit hours taken as non-degree student may be applied to the program. You must receive a grade of B- or better to apply credits.​