Non-degree Seeking/Professional Improvement

If you are interested in attending UTPA solely as a non-degree seeking student or for professional improvement, below are the instructions for applying. Students who apply as a non-degree seeking student or for professional improvement have not been accepted into a specific undergraduate or graduate program. These students are classified in the UTPA information system as Post baccalaureate or “Post-bac” students.

STEP #1

Look for the course(s) you are interested in taking in the undergraduate or graduate catalogs which can be found at www.utpa.edu. Undergraduate courses are courses with numbers between 1000-4000. Graduate courses are courses with numbers between 5000-9000.

STEP # 2

Undergraduate Courses (Course #1000-4000):

If you earned your bachelor’s degree at UTPA, you’ll need to fill out the Returning application from http://www.applytexas.org. Indicate under the “Educational (colleges attended) & test information” section, question 2, that you have earned a bachelor’s degree, the institution that granted the degree and date conferred.

If you earned a bachelor’s degree at another institution, you’ll need to fill out the Transfer application from http://www.applytexas.org. Indicate under the “Educational information (high school and college)” section, question 2, that you have a bachelor’s degree. Also under the “Educational (colleges attended) & test information” section, question 2, indicate that you have earned a bachelor’s degree, the institution that granted the degree and date conferred.

If you do not plan to pursue another degree, and are only interested in taking some undergraduate level courses, only the official transcript showing the awarding of the bachelor’s degree (or higher) sent from the awarding institution is needed.

Once your application has been completed and reviewed by the undergraduate admissions office, you will receive notification by email about registration.

Graduate Courses (Course #5000-9000):

If you are interested in taking graduate courses for professional improvement or as a non-degree seeking student, you must apply online using the graduate school application that is available at www.utpa.edu/gradapply. Doctoral courses are only available to students who have been accepted to a doctoral program.

As you complete the graduate application, in Step #2 of the Application form, under the option for “Academic Intent” you will choose “Non-degree Seeking.”

A complete graduate application includes the application, official copies of all transcripts, and a $50 application fee.

     DEADLINES

After your graduate application is complete, a graduate admissions representative will process your application and obtain the required approval from the director of the program you are applying to. Approval by the graduate program director is required before registering for courses.

For staff contact information, go to www.utpa.edu/gradschool.

STEP # 3

Once you have followed the steps above, you will receive important registration information by email.