The academic status of a student is determined by his or her academic qualifications and intent.
Undergraduate students admitted to a baccalaureate or associate degree program are considered to be
in degree status. Only students in degree status may graduate and earn a diploma.
Individuals may take courses at the University as non-degree students. A regular non-degree
student may take any number of credits during a semester. Non-degree regular (in good academic standing)
students are assumed to be taking courses out of interest or need but not toward a degree. A non-degree
student who would like to pursue a degree must apply for degree status as soon as 18 credits are completed.
Non-degree, regular students do not have access to any College of Engineering advising or service resources.
A non-degree conditional student is one who has been dropped from degree status because of poor
academic performance. Such a student may only register for 12 credits per semester until she or he is eligible
for reinstatement into degree status. If a student cannot become eligible for degree status by the time he or
she has attempted 40 credits in non-degree conditional status, the student may no longer take any resident
instruction courses at Penn State. Students in non-degree conditional status may continue to receive academic
advising and student service support in their college. Students who regain their eligibility for degree
status must apply for re-enrollment and reinstatement
into degree status with the Office of the University
Registrar.
Students who may not normally be admissible to the University may be admitted in provisional
status. Such students must seek admission to degree status by the time they complete 28 credits. Academic advising
for students in provisional status is provided by advisoes in the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS).