Postbaccalaureate is a matriculated status, reserved for students who are working toward a second bachelor’s degree or preparing for entrance to graduate or professional school. Only a small number of applicants are admitted every quarter as postbaccalaureates because the University’s primary commitment is to undergraduates who are completing the first bachelor’s degree. A student who is inadmissible as a postbaccalaureate may still take advantage of many educational opportunities available at the UW for nonmatriculated enrollment.
Nonmatriculated Enrollment
Although a student cannot earn a degree in a nonmatriculated status, a grade is earned and full credit is awarded and recorded on a UW transcript. The credits earned in a nonmatriculated status usually transfer to other institutions (although each college or university makes its own policies about accepting transfer credit).
If a student is later accepted into a matriculated status at the UW, credits earned as a nonmatriculated student may be applied to undergraduate degree requirements, with some restrictions. For example, a maximum of 90 credits earned through the Online Learning program may be applied toward the bachelor’s degree, and generally, the last 45 credits of a baccalaureate degree must be earned as a matriculated student in residence at the UW.
Nonmatriculated Options
- UW Summer Quarter
With no enrollment limit, Summer Quarter is open to everyone. All programs are offered for credit during the nine-week academic term. - Non-Degree Enrollment in UW Credit Classes
Non-Degree Enrollment allows anyone to take courses and earn credit at the UW without applying for formal admission or enrolling in a degree program. Almost any class found on the UW Time Schedule is available for Non-Degree Enrollment. - UW Extension classes
UW Extension offers a wide variety of classes, both credit and noncredit, to prepare for graduate school, help you advance your career, or or learn new skills. - Online Learning
Online Learning offers you the flexibility to pursue your goals on your schedule. You’ll experience the same top-notch instruction as any other UW program, but in a web-based format that lets you study from anywhere. - Graduate Nonmatriculated Status [GNM]
GNM provides access to graduate courses for qualified post-baccalaureate students. GNM students may apply up to 12 credits towards a graduate degree if they are later admitted to a UW graduate program. Students wishing further information should contact the academic department in which they may later wish to pursue a degree. - Certificate Programs
More than 100 certificate programs are designed to keep you competitive in the ever-changing job market, whether you need to learn new skills to advance in your current career or want to make a career change. - Programs for Educators
From Social Studies to Grant Writing and certification, the UW offers courses and programs especially for K-12 educators. - Access Program for Older Adults
The UW waives tuition for Washington residents sixty years or older who wish to audit classes on a space-available basis. Access students do not receive credit and are not permitted to do laboratory work or to take examinations.