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University Registrar

University Registrar

Division of Unclassified Studies (DUS)

 

The Division of Unclassified Studies (DUS) provides an opportunity for non-degree seeking students to take undergraduate courses for credit at Vanderbilt. Students in DUS can take courses in a variety of Vanderbilt schools, provided space is available and all prerequisites have been met. Students who enroll in the Division of Unclassified Studies are classified into one of the following categories:

  • Adult Learners – A wide variety of people in the community who wish to take undergraduate courses offered by Vanderbilt but are not pursuing a Vanderbilt degree.
  • Auditors – Any interested person not affiliated with Vanderbilt or faculty/staff members who wish to audit a Vanderbilt course. Please note: Currently enrolled students who wish to audit a class should visit their school's Office of Academic Services.
  • Faculty/Staff – Faculty/staff members and their spouses who are taking undergraduate classes for credit but are not pursuing a Vanderbilt degree.
  • Pre-Freshmen – Junior and senior high school students who wish to supplement their secondary schooling by taking undergraduate-level college courses during the academic year or during the summer term.
  • Transient Students – Degree-seeking students from other colleges and universities who wish to take undergraduate coursework at Vanderbilt to transfer back to their home institutions.

Applications are due one week before the start of classes for each session. Please check the academic calendar for class start dates. Please note: Due to the timing of provisioning computing credentials, certifying immunization compliance, etc., it is highly recommended that applications be submitted no later than two weeks before the start of classes for each session.

Please refer to the Schedule of Classes for class offerings.

The Division of Unclassified Studies is a non-degree program. In determining if the Division of Unclassified Studies can help you meet your educational goals, it is important to note:

  • Although there are no specific GPA or test score requirements for admission to DUS, an applicant must have a strong academic background that clearly demonstrates he or she is capable of succeeding in the Vanderbilt classroom, and meet any other criteria of the category for which they are applying.
  • DUS students do not qualify for financial aid. 
  • All entering students in the Division of Unclassified Studies must be compliant with the State of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University student health requirements.
  • Most students in the Division of Unclassified Studies must make their own arrangements for housing. Transient students may be eligible for housing during the summer term. Interested students should contact the Office of Housing and Residential Education.
  • International students seeking admission to the Division of Unclassified Studies must reside in the United States at the time of application, with an active visa status as issued by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services for admission consideration.
  • Admission to the Division of Unclassified Studies does not guarantee admission to any Vanderbilt degree program, nor does it in any way influence such an admission decision.
  • If a DUS student is later admitted into one of the degree-granting units of the university, credits earned while in DUS can be applied to the degree as long as:

1) the credits are applicable to the degree;

2) the credit was not used to meet high school graduation requirements; and

3) the credit represents no more than 25% of the hours required for the degree.

Division of Unclassified Studies Policies

  • The Office of the University Registrar is the point of contact for the application process, course enrollment, and course changes.
  • Degree-seeking students at Vanderbilt have priority in course enrollments.
  • DUS students may only enroll in classes that have available seats and for which they meet all course requisites.
  • DUS students may only attend classes for which they are registered.
  • All tuition and fees must be paid in full by the published payment deadlines. All students who have not paid the lifetime transcript fee will be charged $100. Registrations are subject to cancellation for any student with a balance due past the deadline for each term.
  • DUS students are required to resubmit an application and all accompanying documents, including updated transcripts, to the Office of the University Registrar for each semester that they wish to attend.
  • DUS students may register for undergraduate courses through the Division of Unclassified Studies for a maximum of four semesters (including summer terms).
  • DUS students must abide by the policies governing DUS enrollment. Failure to do so could lead to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the Division of Unclassified Studies.

Any request for an exception to these policies must be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar at registrar@vanderbilt.edu.