Non-Degree Student Advising

Interested in only taking a few courses? Are you enrolled at another institution and wishing to take courses at UMaine? Then the non-degree route may be for you!

Whether you’re taking a course for personal enrichment, professional development, or exploring a future degree, we’re here to help. From selecting courses and navigating registration to planning your next educational step, our team provides personalized guidance and connects you with the resources you need to achieve your goals.

Prospective Students

How We Help

UMaineOnline and the Division of Lifelong Learning (DLL) Advising Center assist prospective non-degree students through several core services:

  • Course Selection & Academic Guidance: Advising prospective non-degree students on available course offerings (at the undergraduate and graduate levels) that align with personal, professional, or academic goals.
  • Registration Assistance: Guiding non-degree students through the registration process—including completing online non-degree registration forms for undergraduate courses or application modules for graduate-level non-degree coursework.
  • Clarifying Prerequisites & Enrollment Requirements: Helping prospective students understand prerequisite requirements, course availability, and university policies before registering.
  • Pathway Exploration: Assisting students who may eventually wish to transition into a certificate or full degree program by helping them select courses that meet future degree requirements.
  • Flexible Communication Channels: Offering flexible contact options for prospective non-degree inquiries, including phone-in guidance, email consultations, and online appointment scheduling.

Information & Resources

A non-degree student is a student not currently enrolled in a degree program. Non-degree status is typically used for students who:

  • Wish to enroll in a course for personal or professional growth
  • Have already earned a degree but would like to continue their education with coursework
  • Are considering applying to a degree program in the future and would like to try a few courses beforehand
  • Have applied for admission to UMaine and are waiting to be admitted

Federal regulations prohibit non-degree-seeking students from receiving federal financial assistance. However, scholarships are available to qualifying students to cover part or all of tuition costs. Financial counseling is also available through the Maine Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC), which is a federal education initiative established to promote access to post-secondary education for traditionally underrepresented adult populations within the State of Maine

Admitted Students

How We Help

UMaineOnline and the Division of Lifelong Learning (DLL) Advising Center provide dedicated administrative and academic support to admitted non-degree students through the following services:

  • Academic Advising & Course Selection: Assisting students in choosing appropriate undergraduate or graduate courses that align with personal enrichment, professional development, or prerequisites needed for future academic programs.
  • Registration & Enrollment Navigation: Guiding non-degree students through course registration procedures, managing add/drop requests, and navigating university registration portals.
  • Prerequisite & Policy Clarification: Verifying course eligibility, handling prerequisite waivers or approvals with academic departments, and clarifying university policies, academic deadlines, and grading structures.
  • Transition & Degree Pathway Planning: Advising non-degree students who plan to transition into matriculated status by evaluating how completed non-degree coursework fulfills certificate or degree requirements.
  • Student Support & Onboarding: Connecting admitted non-degree students to campus resources, technical support, online learning platforms, and administrative offices (such as the Bursar or Registrar).

Current Students

How We Help

UMaineOnline and Division of Lifelong Learning (DLL) Advising assist current/admitted non-degree students through the following services:

  • Prerequisite & Policy Clarification: Verifying course eligibility, handling prerequisite waivers or approvals with academic departments, and clarifying university policies, academic deadlines, and grading structures.
  • Transition & Degree Pathway Planning: Advising non-degree students who plan to transition into matriculated status by evaluating how completed non-degree coursework fulfills certificate or degree requirements.
  • Student Support & Onboarding: Connecting non-degree students to campus resources, technical support, online learning platforms, and administrative offices such as the Bursar or Registrar.
  • Application Renewal Assistance: Assisting returning non-degree students with renewing their non-degree application.

Questions?

Email dlladvising@maine.edu