Special/Non-Degree Seeking Students

A diverse group of students including mid-career professionals, community members, and high school students seeking courses at UW-Stout.
In this Section

Special/non-degree seeking students may be admitted as enrollment management goals permit. Per UW-Stout policy, special/non-degree seeking students register for classes after UW-Stout degree-seeking students. Students enrolling in the fall semester will be invited to register in August. Students enrolling in the spring semester will be invited to register in January. 

Early College Credit Program

The Early College Credit Program allows all public high school juniors and seniors who meet certain requirements to take postsecondary courses at a Wisconsin technical college or institution of higher education. See the website for the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for detailed information about the Early College Credit Program.

  • To be admitted as an Early College Credit student, simply indicate that status on the UW System Application for Admission form. It is not necessary to indicate a major or pay the application fee. Applicants must gain the approval from their parents/guardians and their high school.

  • When completing the Early College Credit Application Form, use the General Education list to select several courses that the student would consider taking. Early College Credit students have last priority in registration, so selecting more classes will increase the likelihood of finding an open seat in a course. Also, please note the time of day when open classes meet to ensure that they fit within the student's high school schedule.

  • General Education courses are not the only type of course Early College Credit students may take. Use the Course Descriptions section of the University Bulletin to determine the nature of study in all courses and whether the student has fulfilled the required prerequisite courses.

  • Registration in English and Math courses will depend upon the student's UW System Placement Test results. Placement testing is done entirely online. You can learn more about placement testing and register to take the placement tests here. If you have further questions you can contact us at advisement.testing@uwstout.edu.

  • When the student receives the approved Early College Credit Program form from the student's high school, send a copy to the Office of Admissions, 712 South Broadway Street, Menomonie, WI 54751.

  • Course offerings and enrollments can be monitored by using Access Stout.

  • Early College Credit students are not eligible for financial aid.

Auditors - Auditing a Class

Auditing a Class

  • The student must complete the Special Student Application.

  • Preferred Method: the UW System application https://apply.wisconsin.edu

  •  No additional documentation is required (e.g. no application fee, no transcripts, no test scores, no major)

  • Once admitted, students will be assisted by Advisement Center staff (715-232-1465, Bowman Hall, Room 11) for registration. 

  • Classes are offered on a space-available basis after degree-seeking students are served.

  • It is the responsibility of the student to receive prior approval from the instructor to audit the class.

  • A class search can be done on the UW-Stout website:  on the home page, 'click' Class Search at the top of the page; this logs one in as guest user.

  • Instructions to search for classes are available online here.

  • Using a UW-Stout Program Card (a.k.a. Add/Drop card) the student requests instructor to write "Permission to Audit" and sign name in the Instructor Signature Box area. the signed card is then taken for processing to the Registration & Records Office, 109 Bowman Hall, 715/232-2121.

  • Once registered, students need to obtain their Stout ID card in the Campus Card Office, Room 110 Merle Price Commons, 715-232-2887

  • Students are able to use rented textbooks but are not eligible for laptops.

  • Auditors must attend class, but taking quizzes and examinations is optional.

  • Courses that are audited do not award credit; therefore, cannot be used for graduation requirements.

  • A course which is audited may not be repeated for a grade or credit.

Tuition and Fees

  • Wisconsin Residents: Approx. 30% of the normal per credit academic fee. (Verification of residency is required.)

  • Minnesota Reciprocity Students: Approx. 30% of the normal per credit academic fee.  

  • Non-Wisconsin Residents: Approx. 50% of the normal per credit academic fee.

  • Any special costs for course instruction, other than normal tuition, will be assessed to auditors.

  • To qualify for audit fees, non-degree seeking students cannot take any graded courses during a semester in which courses are audited.

  • Student bills are calculated at the full fee rate then manually adjusted by Student Business Services.