Graduate Admissions Status
Degree- and Certificate-Seeking Students
Matriculated Students (In a Degree or Certificate Program)
An applicant for admission to a graduate degree or certificate program may be accepted as a matriculated student if the applicant’s admission file is complete, including all required documents, and if the student is recognized as meeting all requirements for admission to the program. (Note: Requirements for admission to a certificate program might be different from those required for admission to a degree program.)
In certain cases, with the approval of a graduate faculty adviser, a matriculated student may be permitted to enroll in graduate classes prior to the receipt of official documents or completion of specific prerequisite course work. Or a matriculated student with academic deficiencies may be admitted on probation. Students matriculating in this manner may have a specific time or credit limit imposed upon their acceptance and subsequent re-registration.
A matriculated graduate student fully admitted and enrolled in a degree program is eligible to apply for financial aid. A matriculated graduate student enrolled in a certificate program is eligible to apply for financial aid if the program meets the following criteria:
- The courses that comprise the certificate program are applicable to a degree program;
- The certificate program requires a minimum of 8 graduate credits for completion.
Non-Matriculated Students (Intending to Matriculate in a Degree or Certificate Program)
An applicant for admission to a graduate degree or certificate program may be accepted as a non-matriculated student if the applicant’s admission file is incomplete, lacking required documents, but contains documents affirming completion of a bachelor’s degree, and the signature of an authorized graduate adviser. A non-matriculated student enrolling in graduate classes is permitted a maximum of 9 credits.
A non-matriculated student is reviewed for matriculation when all required documents are received by the Office of Enrollment Services/Records Department.
A non-matriculated student is not eligible to apply for financial aid.
Non-Degree- and Non-Certificate-Seeking Students
Students Enrolled in Classes for Credit
A student who does not intend to enroll in a graduate degree or certificate program may register for individual graduate classes for credit and is admitted with a maximum of 9 credits on the basis of documents affirming completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four year college or university and the signature of an authorized graduate adviser. A non-degree or non-certificate student enrolled in classes for credit may utilize those credits to fulfill requirements for a degree or certificate program if he/she applies and is accepted as a matriculated student.
A non-degree/non-certificate student is not eligible to apply for financial aid.
Visiting Students (Matriculated at Another College or University and Enrolling in Classes for Credit)
A visiting graduate student is admitted on the basis of a Certificate of Eligibility Form signed by an authorized adviser at the college or university where he/she is matriculated. Download, complete and sign the Registration Form.
A visiting student is not eligible to apply for financial aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University. However, he/she may be eligible to apply for financial aid through his/her home university.
Auditor (Students Enrolled in Credit Classes Who Do Not Receive Grades or Credits)
To audit a class, no academic documentation is required. The student must present an Audit Form, signed by the faculty member teaching the class, to the Office of Enrollment Services. If an audit student enrolls in classes offered through the Office of Continuing Education, he/she registers through the Office of Continuing Education and is eligible to receive a Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the program.
A student who enrolls as an auditor pays for 1 credit at the regular tuition charge and is not eligible to apply for financial aid.
Re-Admission
Students who have been away from the University for less than one year may go directly to the Office of Enrollment Services and have their readmission processed provided they were in good academic standing. Those who have been away more than one year must file a readmission application form with the Graduate Admissions Office.