Interested in continuing your education?

Ithaca College invites individuals to enroll on a nondegree (extramural) basis in undergraduate and graduate courses. Whatever your circumstances or educational goals, extramural study at Ithaca College can be an important step forward into a new future.
A student in a long sleeve green shirt has their hand under their chin and is intently watching a faculty member teach.
Join the IC Community
Ithaca College welcomes nondegree students. You will enroll on a course-by-course basis without being admitted (matriculated) into a degree program.

Who Qualifies as a Nondegree Student?

As a nondegree student you may be:

  • someone who never started college or who wants to return to college
  • an area resident who wants to take a course or two for professional development or personal interest
  • a college graduate who wants to continue his or her education at either the undergraduate or graduate level
  • a student at another college or university who wants to enroll and transfer the credit
  • an international student who wants to study for a semester or two at a U.S. college
  • a qualified high school student who wishes to get a head start in college-level study
  • an Ithaca College employee who enrolls in courses that enhance work performance, promote self-improvement, or provide qualifications for higher job classifications

"New outlets for creative instincts are just some of the benefits of attending Ithaca College. As a non-traditional student this alone would be enough but through my studies of art and writing something else emerged. I’ve learned how to articulate my views on life, some only faintly understood until now. Exposure to things I’d never consider on my own helped; the danger at my age is arriving at a place in life thinking there’s nothing new to see. I’ll work to dispel that perspective and count faculty and classmates as key partners in the effort. I’m genuinely thankful to IC for tempering an ego set in stone with a deeper understanding of myself and others."

EXMU Winter Session Participant

Course Offerings

Please review the Ithaca College course roster for the most up to date course offerings.

Fall, spring, winter, and summer course lists are available in HomerConnect before the semester starts. Classes are held throughout the day, and over 100 courses are offered after 4:00 p.m. We offer courses both on campus and online. With this wide selection you should be able to arrange a schedule to accommodate your needs.

Registering for a Course

As an nondegree student you may take any of the many courses Ithaca College offers, provided you meet the necessary program and course prerequisites and space is available after Ithaca College degree students have registered. This means that for fall and spring semesters, extramural registration is not processed until the first day of the semester. In the winter/summer sessions, registration in classroom courses is open to all on a first-come, first -served basis. Some programs have additional restrictions.

Other things to know about registering for courses:

  • If you have graduated from high school or hold a GED, you may register for undergraduate courses.
  • If you hold at least a baccalaureate degree, you may register for either undergraduate or graduate courses.
  • Enrollment in graduate courses requires permission from the graduate chair.
  • Nondegree (extramural) students are generally ineligible for enrollment in independent studies and internships.
  • Physical Activity, Leisure & Safety (PALS) courses are not available to extramural students.
  • Graduate courses in occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and physical therapy are not available to extramural students.
  • Active high school students with a history of academic success are welcome to enroll in Ithaca College courses.

Follow these step-by-step instructions for registering for the course of interest.

International Students

International students are welcome to register for courses at Ithaca College. If your native language is not English, you should take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score satisfactorily to demonstrate a command of English. Additional information is available from the Office of International Programs, Job Hall 202, 607-274-3306.

Tuition and Fees

Nondegree students pay for courses on a per credit basis. This fee can differ for courses offered in the fall/spring semesters versus those offered in the summer/winter sessions. For more information about per credit rates, as well as payment deadlines and options, please see the Office of Student Financial Services page.

You can also contact them as follows: 

  • In Person: Peggy Ryan Williams Center - 1st Floor
  • By Phone: (607) 274-3131
  • By Email: sfs@ithaca.edu

Questions?

Eric Machan Howd, Director
Peggy Ryan Williams Center - 3rd Floor
Fax: 866-924-6272

Mailing address:
Ithaca College
Office of Extended Studies
953 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850