Purdue Online, College of Engineering offers a non-degree option that helps students prepare for graduate-level courses, explore graduate study, or develop new skills. If you wish to take a graduate-level engineering course without being formally admitted to an advanced degree program, you may do so under non-degree admission status. There is no fee to apply. Students in non-degree status will receive official Purdue academic credit for courses as an online graduate student in the College of Engineering. You must hold a bachelor's degree and have the necessary background for any courses you wish to take.
Application Process
Before you can enroll in a course, you must be admitted to the Purdue Graduate School and accept enrollment. Applications are accepted for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. A complete application for Non-Degree admission includes:
- A submitted electronic application to The Graduate School
- Campus: Select "West Lafayette (Main Campus)"
- Proposed Graduate Major: Select "Interdisciplinary Engineering"
- Degree Objective: Select "Non Degree"
- Statement of Purpose (max 150 words)
- Briefly describe why you are pursuing non-degree status (e.g., exploring, credit transfer to another institution, demonstrating success at the graduate level, needing a specific course for professional development, etc.)
- If known, specify the course(s) you would like to take. A list of available courses can be found on this website.
- Proof of a bachelor's degree by either a copy of an official transcript or a copy of the original diploma
Application Deadlines
| Term | Deadline |
| Fall | August 1 |
| Spring | December 1 |
| Summer | May 1 |
We cannot guarantee that applications submitted after the deadlines will be reviewed for the intended semester. Students that submit a completed application after the deadline may need to be considered for a future semester.
Participation as a Non-Degree Student
Enrollment in courses as a non-degree student does not guarantee future admission to a degree program. If you are admitted later to an advanced degree or graduate certificate, a maximum of 12 credits taken in non-degree status may be applied. Check with the department of your intended degree program for their allowable pre-admission credits.
Courses non-degree seeking students in Interdisciplinary Engineering can take are limited to the list of online engineering courses available.
Non-degree seeking students also receive the support of a student services team who can help them throughout their journey in the Interdisciplinary Engineering program.