Non-Degree Seeking Admission
Applicants who wish to attend Lander for one semester or for some limited time and who do not intend to pursue a degree at Lander may be approved to do so by submitting an Application for Admission. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to identify the proper category of admission and to determine what credentials may be required. Courses completed as a non-degree student carry full Lander University credit; however, none of the hours earned are applicable to a degree until the student applies and qualifies for degree-seeking admission. Non-degree seeking students are not eligible to receive financial aid.
1. Special Students
Special students are undergraduate students who wish to enroll in courses but do not intend to earn a degree at Lander. A maximum of 30 credit hours may be attempted in this category. Special student status is not a “trial admission” status or one for candidates who apply too late to submit credentials for consideration for regular admission. Applicants who have been officially denied admission as degree-seeking students are not eligible to apply as special students. Special students must complete an application for admission and submit proof of high school/college graduation in order to be reviewed for admission.
2. Dual Enrollment/Concurrent Students
High school students may enroll in Lander University courses, subject to the following requirements:
• High school junior or senior status;
• College prep high school curriculum;
• Minimum 3.25 grade point average; and
• High school guidance counselor approval.
High school students who enroll in a course through a cooperative arrangement with a local school district are subject to the following requirements:
• High school junior or senior status;
• College prep high school curriculum;
• Minimum 3.0 grade point average; and
• High school approval.
3. Audit
Auditing a course consists of enrolling in a course for no academic credit. No audited course may be repeated for credit at a later date and students may only audit the same course one time.
Students seeking admission solely for auditing are required to meet normal non-degree seeking admissions criteria.
After the student is admitted, the student must complete the Audit Request Form, and for assistance, they may contact the Office of the Registrar. Upon successful completion of the Audit Request Form, the Office of the Registrar will complete the course registration and notify the student.
A student who has registered for a course on an audit basis and who wishes to change the registration to take the course for credit or a student who has registered for a course on a credit basis and who wishes to change the registration to take the course by audit, may do so by notifying the Office of the Registrar by the last day to add a class or register.
4. Transient
Students who are eligible to return to the last college attended and who have a course of study approved by that institution will be considered for admission in this category. Students should seek written approval from their home institution. Transient students normally attend only for one semester or for a summer session. A coursework approval form/letter is required and permits the student to enroll in only those classes on the form/letter. Transient students are not eligible for financial aid.
5. Recertification (Elementary and Secondary School Teachers)
Students wanting to upgrade their certification may apply as special students (see above). In addition to the Application for Admission, students in this category should submit a copy of their state certification. No other documents or records are required unless the student intends to earn a second undergraduate degree.
Credit earned while attending as a non-degree candidate may be used toward a degree only after the student has applied for and been accepted into a degree program. An applicant denied admission to any degree category is not eligible for admission as a special non-degree student. The period of enrollment in these categories is limited either by time or by number of allowable credits.
6. Senior Citizens
South Carolina residents at least sixty (60) years of age are permitted to attend one (1) class per semester at Lander on a space-available basis without payment of tuition with the proper documentation. These students must be South Carolina residents. Qualified residents are eligible to register on a space available basis on the first day of classes for each semester or summer session.
Admissions Checklist
• Submit an application for admission
• Proof of South Carolina residency
• Senior Citizen Free Tuition Application (PDF)
South Carolina Law: Section 59-111-320 of The Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, as amended, authorizes state-supported colleges and universities, and institutions under the jurisdiction of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education to permit legal residents of South Carolina who have attained the age of sixty to attend classes for credit or noncredit purposes on a space available basis without the required payment of tuition, if these persons meet admission and other standards deemed appropriate by the college, university or institution.
Special Notes: Lander University further stipulates that the “no payment of tuition” opportunity may only be applied for the first attempt of a course. An exception will be given if the qualified resident is a degree-seeking student and repetition of a course is necessary for graduation requirements.