Academic Programs Catalog

Lifelong Education enrollment status is designed to provide all non-Michigan State University degree students, with the exception of High School students, access to Michigan State University courses. (High School students should refer to the Opportunities for High Achieving High School Students section of this catalog). It is important to note that Lifelong Education is not a college, a major, or an office on campus. It is an enrollment status and the term Lifelong Education is applied to students who are not pursuing a university degree or an Agricultural or Veterinary Technology certificate.

Students enrolling under the Lifelong Education enrollment status should complete the application available on the web at https://explore.msu.edu/apply/. Select either "First-time Users" or "Returning Users."

The Lifelong Education enrollment status permits and facilitates access to Michigan State University courses and workshops (on-campus, off-campus, online, and Education Abroad) for those not wishing to pursue an undergraduate or graduate Michigan State University degree. This status is limited to those who have attained a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Students who have obtained a baccalaureate degree will enroll under the Graduate Lifelong Education enrollment status. All others will be enrolled under the Undergraduate Lifelong Education enrollment status.

A person who has been denied admission to an undergraduate degree program at Michigan State University may not enroll under the Lifelong Education enrollment status until at least two years have elapsed from the date of the denial.

Students pursuing Michigan State University degree programs, students pursuing programs in the Institute of Agricultural Technology or English Language Center, students pursuing the Veterinary Technology certificate program, and students who have been recessed or dismissed from Michigan State University or any other college or university are not eligible for enrollment under the Lifelong Education enrollment status.

Rules of Application, Enrollment, and Fees:
(These rules do not apply to High School students. All High School students should refer to the Opportunity for High Achieving High School Students section of this catalog.)

1. Students wishing to enroll under the Undergraduate Lifelong Education enrollment status must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.  This information is collected as part of the application procedure.  The high school transcript is not normally required as proof.
   Students with a baccalaureate degree will enroll under the Graduate Lifelong Education enrollment status. This information is collected as part of the application procedure. The degree granting transcript is not required as proof.
   Students enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status who wish to be admitted as undergraduate or graduate degree candidates must make regular application for their desired degree programs with the Office of Admissions. They must do so in accordance with established application deadlines for the given semester.
2. All students enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status are assessed tuition and fees at the Lifelong Education rates. These rates are set at a per credit amount. There are no additional fees associated with this status (i.e., no late enrollment fees, student taxes, etc.). There are surcharges on some online courses.
3. Prerequisites, grading standards, class assignments, and attendance requirements of a course apply to all students in that course including those enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status.
4. Colleges, departments, and schools determine rules of access to courses for which they are responsible, and may limit enrollment of students enrolling under the Lifelong Education enrollment status.
5. The Office of the Registrar will monitor students’ academic progress each semester to ensure that once nine or more credits have been attempted, acceptable progress has been maintained.
   1. An undergraduate student enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status and who has attempted nine or more credits and has not maintained a 2.0 GPA, will be issued a letter stating they are no longer eligible to take courses at Michigan State University. An academic advising hold is placed on the student's record.
   2. A graduate student who has attempted nine or more credits and has not maintained a 3.0 GPA, will be issued a letter stating they are no longer eligible to take courses at Michigan State University. An academic hold is placed on the student's record.
6. Students enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status are not eligible for most sources of financial assistance including federal financial assistance programs, graduate assistantships, and most fellowships.
7. Students who have completed course work while enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status and who contemplate subsequent admission to degree programs must seek advice from the admitting department or school and college as to the applicability of courses/credits taken while under the Lifelong Education enrollment status. There is no guarantee that these credits will be acceptable. Applicability is subject to the following general limits.
   1. No more than 16 credits taken while enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status may be applied to the undergraduate degree program.
   2. No more than 9 credits taken while enrolled under the Lifelong Education enrollment status may be applied to the graduate degree program. Refer to the Graduate Education section of the catalog for the aggregate limit.
   3. Courses taken under the Lifelong Education enrollment status may not be transferred to Human, Osteopathic, or Veterinary Medical Programs but may be used to waive program requirements at the discretion of the college.