Auditing a Course

Auditing is a course enrollment option available to current W&L students and non-W&L students (such as campus employees and community members). Audit enrollment is processed by the University Registrar’s Office contingent on required approvals and completion of registration forms.

The following types of courses may not be audited:

• courses with additional fees such as laboratory courses, studio art, applied music, or similar
• courses with a primary focus on the development of written communication skills
• courses that rely heavily on class participation
• independent studies, internships, research experiences, thesis work, or similar

Auditing allows a student to observe the instruction of a course without earning credit or a grade. Auditing grants the privilege of hearing and observing course information. Discussion and access to online materials is at the discretion of the instructor. Auditors may drop the course at any point in the semester but are required to notify the University Registrar’s Office in writing by submitting a course drop form.

Auditors may not:

• submit assignments to the instructor
• request review or receive feedback of written work
• take quizzes or examinations
• participate in class discussions unless such discussion is previously approved by the course instructor

Currently Enrolled Students

Currently enrolled students may request to audit a course offered in the fall or winter term of an academic year for no credit/no grade if there are seats available and the instructor is willing to host an auditing student. The following stipulations apply without exception:

• The auditing student will receive no credit for the course or toward degree completion.
• The audited course will not count toward full time status. A student must be fully registered and enrolled in at least 12 credits in the fall and winter terms.
• The professor hosting the auditing student is not required to assess any work completed by the auditing student.
• If a student appeals to the Faculty Executive Committee (FEC) for an overload and the FEC does not allow the overload, the student may request to audit the course under the discretion of the Associate Dean of the College or Associate Dean of the Williams School.
• Students who audit a course may not subsequently enroll in and receive course credit for the same course they have audited.
• Auditors will appear on the instructor’s class roster and an AU will be input on the grade roster at the end of the term.
• Students who are initially registered to audit a course may not change the status of the course to regular registration for credit at any time.

Non-Enrolled, Prospective Auditing Students

Campus employees and community members may request to audit a course offered in the fall or winter term of an academic year for no credit/no grade if there are seats available and the instructor is willing to host an auditing student. The following stipulations apply without exception:

• Auditing students will be officially enrolled in the audited course and appear on the instructor’s class roster but will receive no credit for the course or toward a degree.
• Auditing students must abide by all academic and student conduct policies while participating in the audited course.
• Auditing students will not receive WLU credentials and will therefore not have the same access to all resources as enrolled students.
• Students who are initially registered to audit a course may not change the status of the course to regular registration for credit at any time.

Registration and Timeline

The process for auditing a course will vary depending on the prospective auditor’s classification. Please direct any registration questions to registrar@wlu.edu for guidance.

Current W&L Students

• Approval: Email the completed Request to Audit form to Associate Dean of the College, Fred LaRiviere, or Associate Dean of the Williams School, Elizabeth Oliver, depending on the course being audited. The Associate Dean will determine if the student is eligible for audit enrollment and facilitate appropriate approval from the teaching department. Instructors at W&L are not required to allow auditors.
• Request Submission: The audit registration form must be submitted to the University Registrar’s Office by the Office of the Associate Dean. Requests will not be accepted directly from the auditing student.
• Timeline: Requests to audit a course may be submitted only during add/drop week (the first week of classes) when it has been determined that there is still space available in the class. Important registration dates can be found on the Academic Calendar of the term.

Non-W&L Students

• Approval: Email both the completed Non-Degree Seeking Application form and Request to Audit form to Associate Dean of the College, Fred LaRiviere, or Associate Dean of the Williams School, Elizabeth Oliver, depending on the course being audited. The Associate Dean will determine if the student is eligible for audit enrollment and facilitate appropriate approval from the teaching department. Instructors at W&L are not required to allow auditors.
• Request Submission: The audit registration forms must be submitted to the University Registrar’s Office by the Office of the Associate Dean. Requests will not be accepted directly from the auditing student.
• Timeline: Requests to audit a course must be submitted by the Friday prior to the start of term. If approved, students will be added to the course during the week of add/drop (the first week of classes) when it has been determined that there is still space available in the class. Important registration dates can be found on the Academic Calendar of the term.