Auditing a Course at K-State

Auditing a course allows a student to attend class and participate without earning academic credit or completing graded coursework. Audit enrollment is governed by University Handbook F66 – Auditing Classes and requires formal approval.

This page outlines eligibility, deadlines, required approvals, and the step-by-step process for requesting audit status.

• What Does It Mean to Audit a Course?

  When you audit a course:

  • You attend class sessions and typically do not complete graded assignments or exams

  • You do not earn academic credit

  • The course is recorded on your transcript with a grade of AU (Audit)

  • Audit enrollment is space-available only

  • Audit status must be approved by the audit deadline

  Audits are not informal. Students may not attend classes without being officially enrolled or approved for audit.

• Eligibility to Audit a Course

  To be eligible to audit a course, you must:

  • Be admitted to Kansas State University as either:

    • A degree-seeking student, or

    • A non-degree-seeking student
      (You may not hold both statuses at the same time.)

  • Meet any course prerequisites

  • Enroll in the course by the audit enrollment deadlines

  • Obtain required approvals (see below)

  Course Restrictions

  • Laboratory, studio, activity, and performance-based courses are generally not eligible for audit

  • Exceptions require explicit approval from both the instructor and the college dean or designee

• Required Approvals

  Audit enrollment requires all of the following:

  1. Course Instructor Approval

  2. College Dean or Dean’s Designee Approval

  3. Verification by the Office of the Registrar

  Approval is not automatic and may be denied based on course capacity, instructional needs, or course format.

• Important Deadlines

  Audit Request Submission Window

  • Earliest submission:
    5 business days prior to the first day of classes

  • Final deadline:
    Day 5 of the semester
    (or an equivalent percentage for shorter or accelerated courses)

  Requests submitted after the audit deadline require additional approvals and may be denied.

• Tuition and Fees

  • Students auditing a course are charged tuition and fees, unless eligible for the Lifelong Learner (Age 60+) provision

  • Audit students are subject to standard enrollment capacity limits

  • Audit status cannot be converted to credit after the deadline, except by special approval

• Lifelong Learner (Age 60+) Audit Option

  Kansas residents 60 years of age or older may be eligible to audit courses without payment of tuition, subject to space availability.

  Eligibility Requirements

  To qualify, you must:

  • Be a Kansas resident

  • Be 60 years of age or older

  • Be admitted as a degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking undergraduate student

  • Enroll in courses numbered below 800

  • Enroll in six (6) or fewer credit hours per semester

  • Agree to receive a grade of AU for all audited courses

  • Understand that student services supported by student fees are not available

  • Submit the Course Audit Request Form no later than the 5th calendar day after the first day of classes

• How to Request Audit Status

  Step-by-Step Process

  1. You must be admitted for the term in question

  2. Complete the K-State Course Audit Request Form

  3. Submit the form for the instructor's approval 
     

  4. The Instructor will submit the form to the college dean or designee for approval

  5. The College Dean's Office will submit the completed form to the Office of the Registrar by the audit deadline

  6. The Registrar’s Office will:

     • Verify admissions status for the term, and verify compliance with the audit deadline

     • Update enrollment records and apply any eligible Lifelong Learner waivers 

     • Notify the student, the dean's office, and the instructor of successful enrollment

• Important Reminders

  • Audit enrollment is not guaranteed

  • Space availability is determined after credit-seeking students are accommodated

  • Attending class without enrollment or audit approval is not permitted

  • Audit status decisions by the instructor may be appealed through the college or dean’s office; the appeal decision is final