Prospective Non-Matriculated Students

Does Non-Matriculation status fit your needs?

UW Bothell is an institution committed to supporting life-long learning. Non-matriculation status is for students who want to wish to explore degree options, personal enrichment, and professional development.

What is Non-Matriculated status?

Non-Matriculated status allows you to enroll in courses at the University of Washington Bothell without being formally admitted as a regular student. If you want to take classes at the University of Washington Bothell, but you are not seeking a degree, then you want Non-Matriculated status.

Conditions & Limitations

Although a student enrolled at the University of Washington Bothell in a non-matriculated status cannot earn a degree, a grade is earned and full credit is awarded and recorded on a UW transcript. The credits earned as a non-matriculated student usually transfer to other institutions. If a student is later accepted into a matriculated status at the Bothell campus, courses earned as a non-matriculated student may be applied to undergraduate degree requirements, with some restrictions.

Students admitted as non-matriculated may be limited in the number of credits they will be allowed to accrue in this status. The number may vary by program. Students considering switching to matriculated (degree-seeking) status are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to ensure that they don’t lose credits. The number of non-matriculated credits that may be applied toward program requirements varies by program. Please check with a program adviser to determine the number of allowable non-matriculated credits. Students must also meet the residency requirement which states that 45 of the last 60 credits of a baccalaureate degree must be earned as a matriculated student in residence at the Bothell Campus.

Change Status

Students who wish to change their status from non-matriculated to matriculated must apply to do so by the priority application date of the program they wish to enter. Change-of-status forms are available in the Office of Admissions.

Registration

UW Bothell Non-Matriculated and Graduate Non-Matriculated students register for courses on MyUW once their application has been processed. Applicants seeking matriculated status have admission and registration priority over non-matriculated applicants.

How can I take courses as a non-degree seeking student?

To take courses as a non-degree seeking student you must register as either a Non-Matriculated (NM) student or a Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) student.

Regular Non-Matriculated status vs. Graduate Non-Matriculated:

There are two types of Non-Matriculated status: regular Non-Matriculated (NM) and Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM). The type you want depends on your goals.

• NM
If you do not plan to use your Non-Matriculated coursework toward an advanced degree at the University of Washington, then you should register for regular Non-Matriculated status.


• GNM
If you eventually want to enroll in a UW graduate program, and you want the courses you take here to count toward that degree (if applicable), then you need GNM status. GNM status DOES NOT guarantee admission to a graduate program and should not be viewed as a way of entering "through a back door".

Not all graduate programs allow for GNM enrollment; please check with the department. Instructions are available on how to register for courses as a GNM student.

Note that individuals who have received a bachelor's degree but who are not current UW graduate students may apply. Admission to GNM status requires a bachelor's degree; 3.0 GPA in the last 90 quarter (or 60 semester) credits; and approval by the UW Bothell. Individuals with F-1 student visas are not eligible for GNM status.

Are Non-Matriculated Students Eligible for Financial Aid?

Generally to be eligible for aid you must be a matriculated student in an approved degree or certificate program. The only exception is for non-matriculated students who are taking courses required for admission into an approved degree or certificate program. If you are taking courses required for admissions and document that with our office, then you can be considered for the federal Stafford/Ford Direct Student Loan programs for a period of 12 consecutive months. You will be limited to borrowing only up to the annual limit for freshmen students, depending upon your costs and financial need.

To document your eligibility for these funds, you must submit a statement from your academic advisor of the courses required for admissions to your intended program. You can download the Preparatory Coursework form to give to your academic advisor.