Non-Degree Enrollment
A Pathway for Academic and Professional Fulfillment
Do you want to explore the University of Colorado College of Nursing before applying for formal graduate admission or complete a graduate-level course for professional development? If so, enrollment through the non-degree option might be right for you.
The CU College of Nursing Non-Degree Enrollment Option offers BSN-prepared RNs the opportunity to enroll in a graduate level course without being formally admitted to the College. Students enrolled through the non-degree enrollment option are held to the same standards as all students enrolled at the College. Courses completed as a non-degree student will appear on a CU College of Nursing transcript.
Admission Requirements
Graduate Courses: All non-degree enrollment requests for graduate-level courses require a baccalaureate degree in nursing OR a bachelor’s degree in another discipline with permission to enroll from the course instructor or specialty director.
Doctoral Courses: All non-degree enrollment requests for doctoral-level courses require a master of science in nursing degree or a master’s degree in another discipline with permission to enroll from the instructor and program director.
Once the application is submitted, the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs will initiate the faculty approvals to enroll.
When to Apply
Applications are accepted during a limited window each semester. The application closes three weeks prior to the start of the semester with notifications being issued shortly thereafter. The application open/close dates are as follows:
Important Dates
Spring 2025
Non-Degree Application Opens
October 28, 2024
Non-Degree Application & Enrollment Request Deadline
December 31, 2024, at 10:00 pm MT
Certificate Program Enrollment Request Deadline
December 31, 2024, at 10:00 pm MT
NEXus Enrollment Request Deadline
December 31, 2024, at 10:00 pm MT
Fall Semester Dates
January 21 - May 16, 2025
(Including Finals Week)
Drop Deadline
January 31, 2025, at 5:00 pm MT
| Term | Application Open | Classes Start |
| Spring 2025 (January start) | October 28, 2024 | January 21, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 (May start) | March 24, 2025 | June 2, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 (August start) | July 1, 2025 | August 25, 2025 |
How to Apply
- Complete Non-Degree Enrollment Request
- Before starting the application, be sure to read through the list of eligible courses to indicate your intent in the application. You should have the course number and name before starting.
- The Non-Degree Enrollment Request is submitted through NursingCAS. There is an application fee of $60.00 (paid to NursingCAS) to apply for non-degree enrollment.
What to do after you have applied
- Notification on courses approved including the registration instructions will be delivered to approved students two weeks prior to the start of the term.
- Non-degree students are encouraged to review the payment dates and deadlines as a quick response to the non-degree offer will be needed to ensure timely enrollment. All regular payment dates and deadlines apply.
- View the information regarding the tuition and fees for non-degree students. Please note that non-degree students are not eligible for reduced tuition rates or federal financial aid.
- Enrollment requests are processed in the order they were received, so interested students are encouraged to apply early.
As you consider the non-degree enrollment option, please keep the following in mind:
- Each semester a limited number of seats are made available to prospective students seeking non-degree enrollment. It is not guaranteed that a non-degree application will be accepted/or that the course(s) available will be offered.
- Course approvals are only granted for one term. A new non-degree application will be required for subsequent term enrollment. Selection is based on a first-come/first-served basis. Preference is not given or held for students who previously enrolled through this option.
- CU College of Nursing graduate degree programs allow up to 12 credits to be transferred toward a degree. It is the responsibility of the student to verify the courses have been applied appropriately once matriculated.
- While the CU College of Nursing is a CCNE accredited program, it does not guarantee the transfer of credits to other institutions.
The list below is for the upcoming semester only, but you can find the complete CU College of Nursing course offerings for the last three semesters in the Course Schedule.
If you are enrolling in the non-degree program, with the intention of eventually applying for CU Nursing MSN admission, please note that the following four courses are a part of the nursing core. These courses can be taken in any order, and at least one of them will be offered each semester:
- NURS 6009 - Theory Foundations of Advanced Nursing (3 Credits)
- NURS 6070 - Policy and Politics (3 Credits)
- NURS 6109 - Applied Evidence Based Practice (3 Credits)
- NURS 6286 - Foundations Informatics (3 Credits)
Q: I am returning as a non-degree student for an additional term, but I cannot access my account?
A: Your account username and password are the same. If you cannot remember your password, you can reset it at passport.ucdenver.edu/passwordreset. Please note that if you are attempting to register, you must complete a new non-degree application form.
Q: Is there an application fee to take a course as a non-degree student?
A: Yes, the application fee of $60.00 is charged by and paid to NursingCAS.
Q: If I have questions about the non-degree process, who should I contact?
A: Please email the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at nursing.admissions@cuanschutz.edu
Q: If I am interested in the graduate certificate, is my process different?
A: There are similarities between the graduate certificate and non-degree process. Please be sure to have read the graduate certificate information to ensure
that you have enrolled for the appropriate courses. Graduate Certificate students are not eligible to enroll in courses outside of their assigned curriculum plan.
Common Links
- Portals at UCDAccess
- University Webmail
- CU Online and Canvas
- Canvas Student Guide
- Password Reset
- Free Download Adobe Reader XI for PC or Mac
Forms and Policies
- Extended Studies Important Info
- Withdrawal / Refund Policy
- Withdrawal from Course Form
- College of Nursing Student Handbook
College of Nursing Resources and Referrals
- College of Nursing Front Desk (303) 724-1812
- Course Catalog
- Nursing Programs and Admissions
- How to Become a Nurse Preceptor
Finances
- Bursar's Office
- Pay Bill Online
- Authorize Payers
- Financial Aid
- CU Employee Tuition Waiver Benefit
- Scholarships
Campus Resources
- CU Online Student Resources
- Library and Ask Librarian Service
- Veteran Student Services
- International Student & Scholar Services
- The Writing Center and Free Writing Workshops
- Security
- Office of Campus Student Services
- Transcripts
- Access a Degree Audit
- Maps
- Denver Campus Non-Degree Student Admissions
- School of Public Health Non-Degree Programs
- Parking
- Tech Support
- CU Anschutz Medical Campus
- Disability Resources