Non-degree Student Admission Guidelines and Application

All Non-Degree Applicants for Fall 2021 must supply proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to the Office of the Registrar no later than July 31, 2021. Failure to do so prohibits you from attending Berea College.

All non-degree students must read the following and complete all relevant sections of the application.

Berea College has a strong commitment to the undergraduate education of approximately 1,600 degree seekers each year. While the College’s resources are primarily intended to support degree completion, there are limited opportunities to make educational services available to members of the surrounding community. The enrollment of non-degree students is offered on a space-available-basis.

Non-degree students are those who are taking courses for personal enrichment or for limited educational gain and who are not pursuing a degree from Berea College or any other institution (those students are classified as “transient,” and a separate application is required). The course load of non-degree students may not exceed 2.25 credits per regular term and 1 credit per summer term without permission of the Enrollment Policies Committee. Non-degree students may not enroll in an internship, independent study, or team-initiated study. Applied music lessons are not available to non-degree students, but can be pursued privately with instructors. Degree-seeking students are given registration priority. While there is no limit to the total number of courses taken, no more than six (6) course credits earned as a non-degree student may be applied toward a Berea College degree (exception: all credit-bearing courses taken as an employee or high school student may count toward a degree). Non-degree students are not subject to the same financial restrictions for admission that apply to degree-seeking students. However, such restrictions are applied if the student decides to seek admission as a degree candidate.

Berea College graduates or former degree-seeking students who did not complete a degree are eligible to enroll as non-degree students. Credit earned as a non-degree student in these circumstances may not count toward a degree at Berea College.

All eligible 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 non-degree students (with the exception of those who audit courses) 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 the offered laptop, but such a choice will not result in a reduction of the registration fee. To remain eligible for the Non-degree Program, a student must earn a C or higher in all courses.

Application for non-degree status must be renewed each term prior to the deadlines posted in this document and all student account balances must be paid in full prior to enrollment in subsequent terms.

Community Members

To be eligible to attend Berea College 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 Students

A junior or senior enrolled at Berea Community High School (BCHS) may take up to 2.25 credits each major 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 should be taken:

1. Complete and submit the Berea College non-degree online application, which will automatically be routed to the appropriate high school guidance counselor.
2. The counselor checks that there are no appropriate courses in that discipline at the high school for which the student might register. The counselor confirms that the student is of junior or senior status, does not have a record of behavioral problems and has a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Sophomores may be admitted to this program in exceptional situations, on a case-by-case basis, with the approval of the Registrar.
3. The counselor approves the application, at which time it is routed to the Berea College Registrar’s Office. The student will be contacted and provided with further instructions as needed.

BCHS 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 students are not expected to participate in the Labor Program.

Fee Waiver: The registration fee is waived for those students who qualify for participation in the Free or Reduced Lunch program.

Employees/Retirees

The following individuals may pursue coursework through the non-degree student program: Regular, full-time and part-time Berea College employees (one course per term, with the permission of the supervisor and the Director of Human Resources),Berea College retirees, and Eastern Kentucky University employees (a separate application is required). Berea College employees may register before other non-degree students. As noted previously, all credit-bearing courses taken as an employee may count toward a Berea College degree.

Application Deadlines
Note: Late Applications are not accepted.

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

Fees (All Fees are Non-Refundable)

All prospective students interested in non-degree status must complete all applicable sections of the following application. High school students should note their applications will be automatically routed to their guidance counselor upon submission.

Need further instructions on how to fill out this application? View instructions for community members and Berea College employees and retirees or view instructions for Berea Community High School students.

Please, direct any questions about non-degree status or the non-degree application to the Registrar.

Demographic Information

All prospective students interested in non-degree status should complete the following portion of the application, then should complete the portion relevant to the specific student type: BCHS student, Community Member or Berea College Employee/Retiree.

Race/Ethnicity: in compliance with federal reporting requirements, Berea College must identify the ethnic background of all applicants for admission.

The above question is about ethnicity, not race. No matter which answer you gave above, please continue to answer the following by marking one or more boxes to indicate what you consider your race to be. What is your race? (You may choose one or more.)

Berea Community High School students must complete the following.

Community students must complete the following.

All current Berea College employees, Berea College retirees, and Eastern Kentucky University employees must complete the following.

In which Berea College course(s) would you like to enroll? Please note that this is simply an indication of interest. You must be accepted to be enrolled. All non-degree students are registered for classes the day before the semester begins. Consult the Schedule of Classes for course-related information.

Please, check one of the following and secure the approvals needed.

Dates of regular, full-time employment at Berea College:

You acknowledge that by entering your name and clicking the "Submit" button on this website, you are indicating your intent to sign the relevant document or record and that this will constitute your signature.