Why Audit a College Class?
Posted: November 18, 2024 | Author: Abbie Cochrane | Read Time: 4 minutes
Have you ever wanted to take a certain course, but perhaps your schedule didn’t have the space, or you were worried the class could negatively impact your GPA? Perhaps you are a nontraditional student and balancing classwork with a busy lifestyle is difficult? The solution to these problems is simple–try auditing the class instead! Auditing a course is a great way for students to get a feel for the material, without the pressure of getting a good grade hanging in the balance. Best Colleges lists some reasons why auditing a college class might be a good idea for you:
What Does it Mean to Audit a College Course?
When you audit a college class, you’re still paying for the course, however, you’re not getting a grade for the class. Sometimes, depending on the instructor, you may not even be required to complete homework and other assignments. Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re taking a class for no reason or benefit–the amount of work you’re required to do depends on the institution and the class itself. Even though you won’t receive a final grade when you audit, some professors may still have certain expectations when it comes to completing assignments and attending class. Additionally, when it comes to inputting final grades for other students, those who are auditing the class may receive a different notation on their transcript, like “AU,” to show that they audited the class successfully.
Not everyone is allowed to audit a class at some universities and colleges, and not all classes are available to audit. Sometimes only graduates can audit a course; undergraduates who want to audit may need special permission from the university or the instructor. In special instances, some students may be allowed to audit a class that has reached its maximum number of seats. Nontraditional students may also be inclined and allowed to audit a class, and some students can audit a class online instead of in person. It is also worth noting that auditing a class can affect your eligibility for Financial Aid. Talk to the Financial Aid Office with any questions that arise.
You may be taking the course for no credit, but it’s a great opportunity to try out something new you might be interested in.
Why Audit a College Class?
There are many great reasons why auditing a college class may be the right choice for you. Perhaps you have too many credits in your schedule, but there are still classes that interest you that you want to take. Maybe you’re struggling to settle on a major, and auditing a class is a way to experience the material without having to deal with worrying about getting a low grade or getting enough participation points.
Another reason to audit a class is to prepare for a course that you’ll have to take in the future. Some universities and colleges may offer a grace period for you to turn a class you’re getting credit for into a class you’re auditing.
Regardless of reasoning, it’s important to remember that the ability and eligibility to audit a class is determined by the institution.
The biggest obstacle students run into when trying to audit a course is getting permission from the correct source(s). Don’t assume you have permission to audit a course without properly going through all the steps needed. Here is a quick checklist to keep in mind as you go about getting approval to audit a class.
- Do your research - Ask yourself what you hope to gain from auditing, and see what classes are available. Reach out to the institution and the department to see if auditing your class of interest is even possible.
- Contact supervisors and instructors - Reach out to the registrar’s office with any questions that arise about certain auditing policies and requirements. Also, be sure to ask the professor teaching the class if it would be okay to audit the course–make sure you have permission from everyone.
- Determine the specifics - When contacting the instructor, be sure to clarify what would be required of you if you were to audit the class. Ask questions about workload, attendance policy, in-class participation, and so on.
- Complete paperwork - The university or college may send over paperwork or other documents for you to fill out as hard evidence that you are cleared and committed to auditing the class. Ensure all paperwork is completed quickly and efficiently before turning it in to the correct office.
Auditing a class is a great option for students who are figuring out their major goals, or just want to try studying something new without the consequences of a low grade. Talk to your academic advisor to see if auditing a class is a possibility or a good course of action for you.
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