Nonmatriculated status is for students who want to take courses for credit but are not officially working on the completion of a degree. Although a student enrolled in a nonmatriculated status cannot earn a degree, a grade is earned and full credit is awarded and recorded on a UW transcript for any courses taken. The credits earned as a nonmatriculated student usually transfer to other institutions. If a student is later accepted into a matriculated status at the Tacoma campus, courses earned as a nonmatriculated student may be applied to undergraduate degree requirements, with some restrictions.
Applications must be completed by the application deadline.
Students admitted as nonmatriculated may be limited in the number of credits they will be allowed to accrue in this status. The number may vary by program. Students considering switching to matriculated (degree-seeking) status are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, as 45 of the last 60 credits of a baccalaureate degree must be earned as a matriculated student in residence at the Tacoma campus.
Students who are applying to the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Nonprofit Management certificate programs — and who are not current UW Tacoma students — should apply as nonmatriculated applicants. Please review the program requirements for guidance in making a successful application and additional application requirements.
Summer-only visiting students also apply as nonmatriculated students. Admission in this status is valid only for Summer Quarter and applicants must meet application and admission requirements if they wish to matriculate for subsequent quarters. Students admitted for Autumn who wish to begin their studies during Summer Quarter should consult their academic program.
Students who wish to change their status from nonmatriculated to matriculated must apply to do so by the application deadline of the program they wish to enter. Change-of-status forms are available in the Office of Admissions.
Applicants seeking matriculated status may have admission and registration priority over nonmatriculated applicants.
