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Effective Date: Fall 2026
Last Reviewed: Spring 2026
Last Revised: Fall 2015
Next Review: Fall 2035
Policy Statement
Undergraduate students who have earned a minimum of 90 credit hours and minimum 3.000 overall GPA may enroll in a maximum of 9 credit hours of graduate coursework and apply these courses/credit hours to completing their bachelor’s degree. These credit hours may be applied to a future graduate degree at Kent State University. Enrollment in graduate coursework is limited to master’s (50000 and 60000 level) courses, and students must obtain permission in advance to register.
Reason for Policy
An undergraduate student may want to take a graduate course to explore advanced topics in their field, challenge themselves academically and/or strengthen their preparation for graduate school or a competitive job market.
Procedures
Enrolling in a Graduate Course
To obtain permission to enroll in a graduate course, students must complete a Permission for Undergraduate Students to Enroll in Graduate Courses form. The request form must be approved by the instructor of the graduate course.
Applying Graduate Coursework to the Undergraduate Program
To obtain permission to apply graduate coursework to an undergraduate program, students must meet with their undergraduate advisor to complete a GPS Exception to Undergraduate Program Requirements. The advisor may approve the request if all of the following conditions apply:
- The student has earned the minimum undergraduate semester credit hours and minimum GPA requirement.
- The graduate course will provide enrichment while the student pursues the undergraduate program.
- The student does not exceed the maximum 9 graduate credit hours.
Forms/Instructions
To begin the process of taking a graduate course as an undergraduate, students should consult with their academic advisor for college specific forms.
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I register on my own for a graduate course if I am an undergraduate student?
No. Undergraduate students cannot self-register for a graduate-level course without approval. You must complete the Permission to Enroll in a Graduate Course form or be admitted to a combined bachelor's/master’s degree program. - If I decide later to go to graduate school, can I use the graduate class I took as an undergraduate student towards my program?
It is up to your graduate program’s discretion as to whether you may use the course toward your graduate program. - What is the difference between this policy and the combined bachelor's/master’s degree program?
The combined bachelor's/master's degree program is for undergraduate students who complete the full application and admission process to the master's degree to be able to take graduate courses and have them apply toward both degrees. In contrast, this policy allows undergraduate students to take graduate-level courses without having to be admitted to a graduate degree.
Additional FAQ: Undergraduate Students Enrolling in Graduate Courses
Definitions
Credit Hours: Units based on contact hours in a learning environment that are acquired for completed coursework applied toward a degree or certificate.
Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree Program: A programs of study available to eligible undergraduate students to apply early to a master's degree and have a maximum 9 credit hours of graduate coursework apply toward both degrees.
Related Information
Revision History
Amended Fall 2026: Revise policy eliminates restriction that courses cannot be considered for a future master's degree. GPA criteria is lowered, from 3.300 to 3.000.
Amended Fall 2015: Revised policy formalizes this regulation in the University Catalog. In addition, the updates (1) establishes eligibility for students with senior standing and a minimum 3.3 GPA; (2) allows undergraduate students to enroll in a maximum 12 graduate credit hours; and (3) limits enrollment to master’s level (50000 and 60000) courses. Consistent with practice, the revisions allows undergraduate students to apply the graduate coursework to their undergraduate degree. The approval process for obtaining permission to enroll in graduate coursework is outlined.