Effective Date: Fall 2025
Last Reviewed: Spring 2025
Last Revised: Fall 2006
Next Review: Fall 2035
Policy Statement
The graduate guest student status allows individuals to enroll in a limited number of Kent State University graduate-level courses for credit without being formally admitted to a degree or certificate program. Guest students typically enroll for personal or professional enrichment, or to transfer coursework back to another institution.
Admission Requirements and Limitations:
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to apply for the graduate guest student status.
- Applicants are ineligible for admission if they were denied admission to Kent State due to student conduct or criminal history.
- Applicants are ineligible for admission if they are currently under academic dismissal from Kent State.
- Financial aid is not available to guest students through Kent State.
- Guest students may registered for maximum 6 credit hours at Kent State.
- Guest students cannot earn a degree or certificate in this status.
- To register for courses, guest students must secure approval from the appropriate program coordinator and meet all course prerequisites (or obtain instructor permission) to register for courses.
To continue beyond this 6-credit hour limitation or to pursue a specific program, guest students must apply for regular admission as a degree- or certificate-seeking student.
Reason for Policy
This policy defines the criteria and limitations for guest student admission to ensure appropriate access to Kent State University courses while maintaining academic standards and compliance with institutional policies.
Procedures
There are no procedures associated with this policy.
Forms/Instructions
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no FAQ associated with this policy.
Definitions
- Certificate Program: A formal academic credential that signifies the completion of a focused program of study that addresses contemporary, topical and/or workplace need at the undergraduate or graduate level. Certificate programs normally contain between 15 and 25 credit hours of coursework.
- Degree: A formal academic credential awarded upon the successful completion of a prescribed program of study at the undergraduate or graduate level. Degree programs require the fulfillment of specific credit hour, curriculum and academic performance standards and are designated as associate, bachelor’s, master’s, post-master's or doctoral degrees.
Related Information
- Admission of Former Graduate Students
- Admission of Graduate Non-Degree Students
- Admission of Graduate Students
- Dismissal and Appeal - Graduate
Revision History
Amended August 2025: Revised policy allows guest admittance for applicants who were denied degree-seeking admission due to their academic achievement. Going forward, only applicants who have been denied due to criminal or student conduct history will not be admitted as guest students. In addition, information about admission as an undergraduate guest student has been moved to the Admission of Undergraduate Students policy.
Amended August 2006: Revised policy adds requirement for students to obtain approval from program coordinator to register for courses.