Duke
Continuing Studies (non-degree undergraduate application)
Who is eligible to enter Trinity College or the Pratt School of Engineering
through Continuing Studies?
The Office of Continuing Studies is targeted to the local, nontraditional
student, as defined in four ways:
• potential degree applicants who have not been full-time students at
an institution of higher learning for four or more years;
• post-baccalaureate students who seek one or more courses on a
nondegree basis for professional advancement or personal
enrichment;
• degree seekers at other institutions who have moved to the
Triangle area for work or family reasons and who, with the
permission of the home institution, plan to complete their degree
from that institution by taking coursework at Duke;
• It is also possible for a junior or senior in good standing at another
college or university in the United States in need of specific
courses not available at the home institution to apply to complete
those courses during a semester at Duke.
For more information on this program, please contact Kim Price
([email protected]) at the Office of Continuing Studies. International
students who are interested in applying for visiting student status should
contact the Duke Global Education Office: [email protected].
What are the criteria for acceptance into Duke through Continuing
Studies?
Because Duke does not have a separate track for its Continuing Studies
students—such students are funneled into mainstream classes—all Continuing
Education credit students must compete for a space in the classroom. This is
accomplished through an application process. The application is strengthened
by the following:
• a good past performance in college coursework;
• a convincing essay;
• a persuasive letter of recommendation;
• strong writing skills.
The overall strength of the complete application is important. It is rare that an
applicant with no previous college coursework will be accepted into Duke.
(Technical Institute work does not transfer to Duke and is not considered in
lieu of college coursework for purposes of admission.) Persons interested in
Continuing Studies are encouraged to consult with the Director of Academic
Services prior to application in order to get advice about the process.
How are Continuing Studies students differentiated from “regular”
Duke students?
New Continuing Studies students register for courses “at the end of the line.”
No Continuing Studies student is eligible for housing or financial aid. In most
ways, however, Continuing Studies students have the same opportunities as
those in degree programs and are able to take advantage of many of the
support services of the university, including assistance with academic skills.
They are also subject to the same responsibilities as degree students, including
the necessity for meeting continuation requirements.
What financial aid opportunities are available for Continuing Studies
students?
Continuing Studies students are not eligible to apply for need-based financial
aid from the university or the federal government until they are admitted as
degree-seeking candidates.
How does a Continuing Studies student enter the mainstream?
In order to move from nondegree status into degree candidacy, a student must
apply to Trinity College or the Pratt School of Engineering in a separate
application process through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. This
process begins only after the student has taken at least 4 Duke classes through
Continuing Studies and has achieved a high level of performance in this
coursework (usually defined as a 3.3 average). An admissions committee and
an academic dean survey the overall record of each candidate, including
recommendations, academic performance in high school and college,
standardized test scores (when applicable), and professional and personal
activities.
Other General Information
There is an Academic Dean for Continuing Studies students. Kim Price
([email protected]), Director of Academic Services, is available for advising
before students submit their applications.
Part-time students will be charged by the course. Full-time continuing
education students - those enrolling in four courses - are required to pay full
tuition charges.
Students who plan to attend only in the summer should apply using the
Summer Session visiting student application. Continuing Studies applicants
who plan to continue their studies at Duke in the fall should apply through
the Office of Continuing Studies for both the summer and the fall terms.
Application Instructions
Each candidate for admissions as a Continuing Studies student is responsible
for the collection and submission of all required materials. Applications are
not considered until all required materials have been received.
1.
Application for Admission
All information requested should be supplied accurately. Particular attention
should be given to writing the personal statement of reasons for wanting to
enroll.
2.
Statement of Activities
Candidates are asked to attach a chronological list of their activities,
indicating the years of study, employment, etc., since leaving high school.
3.
Transcripts
All transcripts of previous academic coursework should be official and
included with the application for admission. In addition, individuals who
anticipate applying for degree-seeking status must also submit an official high
school transcript(s) and have the option of reporting the results of any
standardized testing.
4.
Recommendation from Professor and/or Employer
Candidates are asked to obtain and submit with the application and other
required materials a recommendation from at least one professor and/or
employer.
5.
Application Processing Fee
A fee of $35 is required of all candidates. The fee is nonrefundable.
Application for Admission as a Continuing Studies Student
Date of application:
Desired
term
of
admission:
Fall
Spring
Summer I
Summer II
Program anticipated:
Course of study:
I plan to continue toward degree status
I plan to take courses on a nondegree basis only
Part-time (1 or 2 courses)
Full-time (3 or 4 courses)
Legal
Name:
Last
Name
(Family
Name)
First
Middle/Maiden
Jr., III, etc.
Preferred
Name
Month/Day/Year
Birthplace:
Citizenship:
City State Country
U.S.
Permanent Resident U.S.
Other
Country
Visa type for Green Card Number
If you are living in the U.S. but were not born here, when did you come to the U.S.?
If
you
are
a
U.S.
citizen
or
Permanent
Resident
living
outside
the
U.S.,
how
long
have
you
lived
outside
the
U.S.?
Is a language other than English usually spoken at home?
Permanent or home address:
Yes No
If yes, what language?
If yes, what is your first language?
Number
and
Street
City
State
Current address (if different):
Zip
Code
County
(or
Country
if
foreign)
Number
and
Street
City
Daytime phone:
E-mail
address:
State
Zip
Code
County
(or
Country
if
foreign)
Evening
phone:
Fax:
In case of emergency, please notify (name):
Daytime Phone:
Address:
Evening
phone:
Are you a full-time employee of Duke University?
Yes No
If
yes,
please
provide your Unique ID
Sex: M F
Birthdate:
Résumé of Activities
Personal Statement
personal statement on a separate sheet of paper.
Have
you
ever
had
to
discontinue
study
due
to
illness?
Yes No
Have
you
ever
been
placed
on
probation
or
suspended
or
dismissed
from
any
school?
Yes No
If
yes,
please
explain
Secondary Schools Attended
Name
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Name
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Previous Colleges Attended
Name
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Degree
Name
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Degree
Name
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Degree
Educational Institutions/Courses Taken
Name
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Degree
Name
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Degree
Name
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Degree
Name
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Degree
Employment Record
Position
Employer
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Position
Employer
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Position
Employer
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Position
Employer
City/State
Mo./Yr. to Mo./Yr.
Have you contacted the Office of Continuing Studies?
Yes No
If
yes,
please
give
date
of
interview
and
summarize
discussion
below.
