Non-degree and Auditor Program

Berea College offers an exceptional educational experience for members of the surrounding community interested in taking courses for personal enrichment and educational gain, but not necessarily planning to pursue a degree at this time.  Once accepted as a non-degree student, the student must get written approval from the Berea faculty before enrolling in their classes.

Eligibility for the Non-Degree Program:

All Non-Degree Applicants for Spring 2023 must supply proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to the Office of the Registrar no later than  December 1, 2022.  Failure to do so prohibits you from attending Berea College.

Community Members

To be eligible to attend Berea as a domestic or international non-degree student an individual must, at the time of application, reside in Madison, Garrard, Jackson, or Rockcastle counties and be 18 years of age or older.

Berea Community High School and Madison Southern High School Students

A junior or senior enrolled at Berea Community High School (BCHS) or Madison Southern High School (MSHS) may take up to 2.25 credits each fall or spring term upon recommendation of the school’s guidance counselor.

BCHS and MSHS students may be eligible to receive both high school and college credit for the classes taken at Berea College. They are not eligible to enroll in core courses (GSTR 110, 210, 310, 332, or 410).  BCHS and MSHS students are not expected to participate in the Labor Program.

Employees/Retirees

The following individuals may pursue coursework through the non-degree student program:  Berea College retirees, regular, full-time and part-time employees (one course per term, with the permission of the supervisor and the Associate Vice President of Human Resources), and Eastern Kentucky University employees (a separate application is required). Employees may register before other non-degree students.

Additional Information to consider:

  • Non-degree students are limited to 2¼ credits per each regular term (except employees and retirees who are limited to 1 credit) and 1 credit per summer term without permission of the Enrollment Policies Committee.
  • All community members accepted in the non-degree program will be required to work with the Associate Registrar (First Floor Lincoln Hall) to register for classes.
  • Enrollment in courses as a non-degree student may require meeting the course prerequisite or obtaining instructor permission to register for a course.
  • To remain eligible for the non-degree program at Berea College, a student must earn a C or higher in all courses.
  • The following courses are not available to non-degree students:
    • Applied music lessons
    • Internships
    • Independent/Team Initiated Studies
    • Directed Studies
    • General Studies Required (GSTR) Courses
  • All non-degree students, except auditors, will have the option of using a College laptop computer in conjunction with their courses during the term of enrollment. Non-degree students may elect not to use a laptop but will not receive a reduction in the registration fee.
  • There is no limit to the number of courses taken, but no more than 6 credits earned as a non-degree student may be applied toward a Berea College degree (This does not apply to high school students and Berea College employees).
  • Former degree seeking students at Berea College are eligible to enroll as non-degree students. Credit earned as part of the non-degree program in these circumstances may not count toward a degree at Berea College.
  • Non-degree students are not subject to the same financial restrictions for admission that apply to degree-seeking students. However, financial aid is not available for any non-degree fees, course fees, or additional fees while enrolled at courses at Berea College.
  • All courses taken at Berea College will appear on a permanent Berea College transcript.
  • Final grades will be recorded for non-degree students who withdraw after the last day to withdraw from a course.
  • All students are expected to follow the official policies of the College as outlined in the Student Handbook.

To apply to the Non-degree Program at Berea College:

  • Complete the appropriate sections of the Non-degree Application.   Return completed form to the following address/office or to your high school counselor:

Office of the Registrar                      or                   Office of the Registrar
Attn: Nondegree Program                                     First Floor Lincoln Hall
CPO 2168
Berea, KY 40404

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Term                August 1
  • Spring Term           December 1
  • Summer Term        April 1

Note: Late applications are not accepted.

Fees (All Fees Are Non-Refundable)

Fee

Description

Amount

Registration Fee

Supports the cost of enrollment for a non-degree student. This fee is waived for Berea College regular, full and part time employees, their dependents, retirees, EKU employees, and high school students who qualify for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program

$100 for the Fall or Spring Term

$50 for the Summer Term

Courses Fee

Some courses have special fees to support the additional costs for materials or classroom experiences.

Will vary; consult the College Catalog or Schedule of Classes for additional information

Student ID

All students must have a valid ID card. ID cards must be secured at Public Safety, Woods-Penniman Building.  Students must have their student ID or B number to get their ID card.

First one free

$15 for each replacement

Parking Decal

Decals may be purchased in the Public Safety Office, 101 Woods-Penniman Building

$30

View an interactive map of campus.

Registration Procedure for High School Students:

A junior or senior enrolled at Berea Community High School or Madison Southern High School may take up to 2¼ credits each term upon recommendation of the school’s guidance counselor.

To apply for admission to Berea College as a high school non-degree student, the following steps must be taken:

  • The counselor will check that there are no appropriate courses in that discipline at the high school for which the student might register.
  • The counselor will confirm that the student does not have a record of behavioral problems and has a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Juniors and seniors are eligible for the program, but sophomores may be admitted on a case-by-case basis, with the approval of the Office of the Registrar.
  • The counselor will sign the application and submit it to the Office of the Registrar.

The Registration Process:

  • High school students may be expected to attend an orientation session with the Associate Registrar before classes at Berea College begin.
  • Students will be given information on policies at Berea College, the academic calendar, FERPA, and other general campus information.
  • At the end of orientation, students will receive login information to access a registration page in the myBerea portal. Students, so long as they meet the requirements for the course, will be able to register for courses at that time.
  • Any high school student, who is not an employee dependent and does not qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, is expected to pay all registration and course fees before the end of the first week of classes. Failure to pay fees, may result in removal from courses.
  • Upon completion of orientation and registration, students must secure a valid Berea College ID card from Public Safety in the Woods-Penniman Building.
  • Students must also click on the following link and register for Text Alert.

Registration Process for Community Members and Employees/Retirees:

  • Community members and employees/retirees must complete the application, secure any necessary signatures, and submit it to the Office of the Registrar before the deadline for each term.
  • Community members and employees/retirees will be required to meet with the Associate Registrar whose office is on the first floor of Lincoln Hall each term to register.
  • Employees are eligible to register before other non-degree students.

Checklist for Non-degree students:

Apply by the Deadline for each term.

For Community, Employee and Retiree Non-Degree Students and Auditors:  Register for your class in the Registrar’s Office at the appointed time.

For High School Students:  Log into myBerea, and Register with your High School Counselor at the appointed time and no later than the Last Day to Add as published in the Academic Calendar.  You will get your User Name and Password from the Registrar’s Office.

Get your Student ID card at Public Safety, Woods Penniman.  (You must have your Student ID number or B number. First ID card free, $15 per replacement)

Get your Parking Decal, if needed, from Public Safety, Woods Penniman.  There is a $30.00 fee.

Get a lap top computer if desired from the IS&S helpdesk.  (Non-degree students only.  Auditors are not eligible for lap tops.)

For your safety, register for Text Alert.  (Search legacy.berea.edu for E2Campus Alert or simply text alert.)

Pay any Registration Fees to Student Accounts, Lincoln Hall, first floor.

Go to class.

Drop or Withdraw from the class by the Deadline as published in the Academic Calendar.

Students may not withdraw from a course after the last day to withdraw from a course.  Instead, a final grade will be recorded.

Make a C or better in your course (not a C- or less) so that you may continue to take courses at Berea College as a non-degree student.

Apply again for the next term if you wish to take another class

Auditor Program:

  • Some students, particularly non-degree seeking students, may wish to audit a course for personal enrichment and for the sake of learning without receiving course credit. To register for an audit, a student must complete all parts of the application below. Auditors are expected to attend class regularly; however the extent to which an instructor grades an auditor’s work is determined by mutual agreement between the instructor and the auditor. No grades or credit will be awarded for audited courses.
  • For community members, the fee for auditing a course is $50 per term (course supplies are additional), and registration is handled through the Office of the Registrar (1st Floor Lincoln Hall). Community members are expected to complete the Auditor Application for every term of enrollment.
  • The decision to grant permission for a community member to audit a course is at the discretion of the instructor and the Office of the Registrar. Permission to audit courses at Berea College may be revoked at any time.
  • Former Berea College students interested in auditing a course must be in good standing with the College and have no holds on their account.
  •  Community members auditing a course are not provided a laptop during enrollment. 

To apply to the Course Audit Program at Berea College:

Office of the Registrar
Attn: Nondegree Program
CPO 2168
Berea, KY 40404

OR

    • Submit application in person:

Office of the Registrar
First Floor Lincoln Hall