Non-Degree Course Registration Guide

A non-degree student is an individual who wishes to take courses at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) without being currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program. Enrollment under this status is subject to the following departmental policies:

No Guarantee of Admission: Taking courses as a non-degree student does not guarantee future admission into a degree program.
Space Availability: Registration is conducted on a space-available basis during the designated non-degree registration period.
Major Restriction Holds: All counselor education courses have a “major restriction hold” that must be officially lifted by the department before a student can register.
Financial Aid: Financial aid does not cover non-degree courses.
Transfer Credits: If later admitted to a degree program, a Master’s student may transfer up to 18 credits (6 from another institution), and an Ed.S. student may transfer up to 9 credits (3 from another institution). All credits must be less than 7 years old and are reviewed upon admission.

Program Overview

Consult the FAU Course Catalog for course descriptions and other details.

General Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required.
Students must meet specific prerequisites (e.g., MHS 5005 is required before MHS 6401; STA 6113 is required before MHS 6710).
All students must agree to demonstrate appropriate professional attitude and dispositions, follow all department and university policies, and earn a grade of B or higher in all coursework.

Course Categories

Recommended Courses for General Non-Degree Students: MHS 6340 Career Development, MHS 5428 Multicultural Counseling, MHS 6700 Legal and Ethical Issues, MHS 6482 Lifespan Development, STA 6113 Statistics* (*offered outside of the department)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Specialty Courses (Writing Sample Required): MHS 6070 Psychopathology, MHS 6450 Substance Abuse Counseling, MHS 6470 Counseling and Human Sexuality, MHS 6701 Issues in Mental Health Counseling
Program Coordinator Approval Required: Core Courses - MHS 5005 Processes in Counseling, MHS 6220 Appraisal, MHS 6401 Counseling Theories and Techniques, MHS 6430 Family Counseling, MHS 6510 Group Counseling, MHS 6710 Counseling Research and Evidence-based Practice; Rehab specialty courses - RCS 6031 Foundations of Rehab Counseling, RCS 6080 Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability, RCS 6320 Occupational Information and Job Placement, RCS 6644 Case Management in Vocational Rehabilitation
NOT Available to Non-Degree Students: MHS 6421 Counseling Children, MHS 6423 Counseling Adolescents, MHS 6600 Consultation, SDS 5010 Fundamentals of School Guidance, Directed Independent Study, Doctoral-level courses

How to Apply

Submit a Non-Degree Application: Fill out the online application. Apply through the FAU Non-Degree Office .Once approved, you will receive a student ID (Z-number); you must save this for all subsequent steps.
Complete the Counselor Education Interest Survey: Submit the Department Interest Survey to confirm your eligibility and course availability. You will need your Z-number and a writing sample if you are requesting clinical mental health specialty courses.
Monitor Your FAU Email:The department will review your request and notify you via your FAU email, typically by the Friday before non-degree registration begins. The email will confirm if your registration hold has been lifted or if you must seek specific instructor approval.
Register During the Non-Degree Window: You may only register during the official non-degree registration period noted on the Academic Calendar . Seats are first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved or held.
Verify Licensure (If Applicable): If you are taking courses for licensure, you must independently verify that the course meets requirements with the Florida State Licensing Board . If you are taking a course for certification, you must verify the classes with the Florida Department of Education.