Non-Degree

University Certificate Programs

University Certificates will show up on your CWRU transcript as a Degree Awarded. Check out the available Graduate Certificate programs.

Certificates

Students who have completed their undergraduate degrees, who would like to enroll in classes for personal enrichment or to satisfy prerequisite graduate course requirements, may enroll as a non-degree student. Natalie Cowan, Graduate Coordinator in the School of Graduate Studies is the advisor for all non-degree students and approves all registrations, drop/adds, withdrawals, and removes holds.

Refer to the Registrar's Office SIS Resources for help registering for classes through the Student Information System (SIS). Tuition information is available through Student Financial Services; non-degree students pay graduate tuition even if taking an undergraduate course.

Deadlines

See the Deadlines page here.

Application Process

Anyone wishing to take non-degree or certificate courses should apply through the online application system and pay the $50 non-refundable application fee. In order to be accepted, you must send an official transcript demonstrating that you have earned at least a bachelors degree to the School of Graduate Studies. When your transcripts are received, you will be informed by email when your application has been processed. See the section further down this page for more information on the Classic Certificate, Clinical Research Certificate, Clinical Research Fellows, and the PREP program.

1) Create an online application

If you are just starting out, click Create an Account under First Time Users. If you have previously applied, click on Returning Users and login with your email address and password.
First time users will receive an email to activate your account. Click the link in the email and enter the temporary pin to move ahead with creating your password.
Note: Remember this login information, you will need it when logging in between sessions to complete your application and to retrieve your official admission decision.

2) Home page

First time users - Click Start New Application, select the year you intend to enroll, the school, and click Create Application.
- Regular non degree applicants choose School of Graduate Studies (Non-Degree)
- For the Certificate in Classics, choose College of Arts and Sciences, Degree Type: Certificate.
- For the Clinical Research graduate certificate, choose School of Medicine, Degree Type: Certificate.
- For Clinical Research Fellows (CRF) (students can only enroll in CRSP401, no other courses), choose School of Medicine, Degree Type: Special Programs.
- For PREP, choose School of Medicine, Degree Type: Non-Degree.
Returning users - Click on the application you would like to work on, School of Graduate Studies (Non-Degree), and click Open Application.

3) Non-Degree Program Information (Graduate Studies Non-Degree only)

Semester - If the semester you are trying to apply for is not displayed, the deadline may have passed or it may not be offered starting in that term. Refer to the deadlines listed here.
Indicate whether you are a CWRU employee (this does not include UH, CCF, Metro, or VA employees). The application fee is waived for Case Western Reserve University employees. For more information about employee applications, see the bottom of this page.

4) Academic History

Non degree applicants should upload an unofficial transcript onto the application showing they possess at least a bachelors degree. In order to be accepted, you must send an official transcript demonstrating that you have earned at least a bachelors degree to the School of Graduate Studies. (CWRU graduates can have their degree verified in SIS.)
- Send transcripts electronically to gradtranscripts@case.edu or by mail to CWRU School of Graduate Studies, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Tomlinson Hall 203, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106.
Applicants to the certificate in Classics, graduate certificate in Clinical Research, and the PREP program should upload ALL previous transcripts.

5) English Proficiency Test Scores (International applicants only)

International applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Minimum language scores to gain admission are below; we do not offer conditional admission to applicants who do not meet the minimum language scores or qualify for an education waiver.
You only need to upload your unofficial score report; you do not need to send official test scores unless you are formally admitted.
Is English your native language?
- If Yes, click Continue.
- If No, you will be asked to provide an unofficial test score report or indicate that you qualify for a waiver based on your education.
The TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE are all valid for two years after the test date.
- TOEFL - 90 minimum if internet-based or 577 if paper-based (minimum of 80 TOEFL if applying to a Course Focused Engineering program). Scores can be sent officially through ETS using CWRU's school code 1105. * The School of Graduate Studies does not accept the TOEFL MyBest Scores. Applicants must achieve a minimum of 90 on one exam date; exams will not be superscored.
- IELTS - 7.0 minimum (minimum of 6.5 IELTS if applying to a Course Focused Engineering program). Please do not send scores officially, simply include your TRF number on your application and we can verify your score online.
- PTE Academic - 61 minimum. Scores can be sent officially through the Pearson website to be verified online.
- The following departments require higher language scores of 100 TOEFL or 68 PTE: Art History, and Art History and Museum Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry Entrepreneurship, Master of Engineering and Management (MEM), and Pathology
Language score waivers can only be granted if you have 1) completed a bachelors or higher from a university where the primary medium of instruction was English or 2) your home country's primary spoken language is English.

6) Test Requirements

Not required for regular Non-Degree applicants.

7) Review and Signature

Fix any errors on your application.
If you cannot figure out how to remedy the error, contact Graduate Studies Admissions.
Digitally sign your application.

8) Application Fee

If applicable, pay your non-refundable $50 application fee. You will be redirected to enter your credit information. We cannot accept cash, check, or money order.
Proceed to the final step to type your Full Name and date and click Submit Application.

Non- Degree programs

Classics certificate

* To prepare students for graduate work in classics and related fields such as philosophy, art history and medieval studies. Solidify language skills and gain experience in reading large quantities of Greek and/or Latin at an advanced speed. See the program website for more information; this is just an overview. Note that this is not a University Certificate. The courses will show up on your transcript, but not a conferred certificate. The certificate is awarded by the department.

Transcripts, a personal statement, and two Letters of Recommendation are required. GRE scores can be considered but are not required, you can upload your score report onto the application; if officially accepted, you must submit officially through ETS.
The department will review your application and recommend admission; you will receive an email from the School of Graduate Studies to inform you of your admission decision.

Clinical Research (CRSP) graduate certificate

* Offered through the Case School of Medicine, this certificate consists of 4 courses totaling 11-credit hours are designed for clinicians and health science professionals to gain knowledge in conducting clinical research. See the program website for more information; this is just an overview. Note that this is not a University Certificate. The courses will show up on your transcript, but not a conferred certificate. The certificate is awarded by the department.

Transcripts, a personal statement and a resume or CV are required.
The department will review your application and recommend admission; you will receive an email from the School of Graduate Studies to inform you of your admission decision.

Clinical Research Fellow (CRF)

* Postdoctoral audit program for individuals associated with a CWRU affiliated institution (University Hospitals, MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic) to take CRSP 401. This course does not go toward a program or certificate. See the program website for more information; this is just an overview.

No transcripts, GRE, letters of recommendation or language scores are required.
The department will review your application and recommend admission; you will receive an email from the School of Graduate Studies to inform you of your admission decision.

Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)

* Designed to support recent diverse college graduates who are preparing for a career in biomedical research. See the program website for more information; this is just an overview.

Transcripts, a personal statement, 3 letters of recommendation, and a resume or CV are required.
A PREP Supplemental section of the application will open on the left side.
The department will review your application and recommend admission; you will receive an email from the School of Graduate Studies to inform you of your admission decision.

Checking Your Application Status

To check on the status of your application, log into the online application system. Select the application and click Open Application. This will display your Student Status Page. If there is a Status Update highlighted in yellow, click View Update to view your admission decision letter. You can download this letter as a PDF by clicking Download PDF in the upper right corner.

If you were accepted, you now must accept or decline our offer of admission. You can do this by clicking the link in your offer letter or in the Forms section of the Student Status Page. This step must be done in order to matriculate and enroll in classes through the Student Information System (SIS).

Next Steps After Acceptance

After you accept our offer of admission, we will matriculate your file into the Student Information System (SIS). You will receive an email from the School of Graduate Studies with instructions on activating your CWRU Network ID. The date you are able to register for courses will vary.

Course Requirements and Transferring Credit

Students may enroll in undergraduate and graduate level courses. Continuing in non-degree status is at the discretion of the dean of Graduate Studies.
Applicants who want to later transfer coursework into a graduate degree seeking program should seek early advice from the program where they intend to apply. This will ensure that courses taken as non-degree students will satisfy departmental requirements.
Students should not assume that entering as a non-degree will later grant admission to any graduate degree program, or that all coursework will transfer into a program.
Courses transferred from non-degree status must have been taken within five years of the first term of matriculation as a degree-seeking student and passed with a grade of B or better.
Students considering continuing into a degree program need to have completed a minimum matriculation of two semesters and six semester hours of coursework.
Non-degree students are limited to 21 hours of coursework in one program. To continue taking courses in a program, the student must apply online and be formally accepted into the graduate degree program by the School of Graduate Studies.
For courses that have “Permission Required” listed in the course catalog or the searchable schedule of classes, permission must be requested online. This must be done before registering through the instructor or department. All permissions must be requested through the Student Information System.

Financial Aid

Non-degree students are ineligible for federal financial aid.

Private loans are available to domestic students. FASTChoice has more information on various lenders.

Case Western Reserve University Employees

The $50 non-degree application fee is waived for CWRU employees and, when employees are eligible, tuition may be waived. CWRU employees must know their eligibility status. If financial penalties are incurred because of ineligibility, the CWRU employee must pay such penalties.

Certification for Tuition Waiver forms are available on the 2nd floor of Crawford Hall or online. The waiver of tuition and class schedule should be submitted to Human Resources, Crawford Hall, Room 224. For more info about the tuition benefits for employees and eligibility, see the Human Resources Tuition Benefits page here or see a visual snapshot of the tuition policy here.

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