Skip to Main Content

Introduction

An “academic career” is composed of a student's status as degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking, plus the type and academic level of the degree being pursued.

  • The undergraduate academic level is calculated based on credit hours.

  • Classification as a non-degree-seeking student depends on what prior credentials the student earned, such as a high school diploma or college-level degree. Non-degree status also includes those individuals pursuing high school dual enrollment, auditing classes, or those in other select, structured programs established by the University that do not lead to a degree.

  • Students with a career of Law or Medicine are classified based on their year within the program.

  • Graduate students and various non-degree seeking students do not have specific academic levels or classification.

The University recognizes six academic careers, four degree-seeking and two non-degree-seeking. A student may not be simultaneously active in more than one career.

Degree-Seeking Careers

Undergraduate. The Undergraduate academic career applies to students pursuing any type of baccalaureate degree.

Graduate. The Graduate academic career applies to students pursuing any type of master's degree, specialist degree, or doctorate degree, except the juris master, master of law letters, juris doctorate, or doctor of medicine degrees.

Law. The Law academic career applies to students pursuing the juris doctorate (JD) degree, juris master (JM), or master of law letters (LLM).

Medicine. The Medicine academic career applies to students pursuing the doctor of medicine (MD) degree.

Non-Degree-Seeking Careers

Non-Degree without Baccalaureate. This academic career applies to students without a baccalaureate degree.

Non-Degree with Baccalaureate (post-baccalaureate). This academic career applies to students who have previously earned, at a minimum, one baccalaureate degree or higher-level degree.

NOTE TO ONLY GRADUATE STUDENTS: Students with Law or Medicine careers are classified based on their program year (first, second, etc.). Graduate students and various non-degree students do not have specific academic levels or classifications.

Academic Levels

The University may record a student's advancement toward degree completion by tracking their academic level, which is calculated based on the number of hours the student has earned. Academic levels with their hour requirements are:

  • First-Year Student: zero through 29 credit hours

  • Sophomore: 30 credit hours

  • Junior: 60 credit hours

  • Senior: 90 credit hours

  • Post-Baccalaureate: previously earned bachelor's degree

  • Graduate: admitted to a graduate program

  • Law (JD degree): first through third year of program

  • Medicine (MD degree): first through fourth year of program

  • Non-Degree Seeking without Baccalaureate Degree

  • Non-Degree Seeking with Baccalaureate Degree

  • Transient Students

  • High School Students

Reclassification of Non-Degree-Seeking Student to Degree-Seeking Status

Non-degree-seeking students who want to change to degree-seeking-student status must apply for admission through the Office of Admissions. Refer to the Undergraduate Admissions section for admission procedures and deadline dates.

FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, work taken as a non-degree-seeking student carries no degree credit. Up to 15 credit hours earned as a non-degree-seeking student, except where noted below, may be applied toward an undergraduate degree with the approval of the appropriate dean at the time of formal admission as a degree-seeking student or later.

Undergraduate Note: Students who enrolled in Florida State University as high school dual-enrollment students, while classified as non-degree students, are not subject to the 15-hour credit limitation that is established for non-degree-seeking students. Instead, high school dual-enrollment students enrolled in FSU courses may count up to the maximum hours of allowed high school dual-enrollment credit.

FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS, if the work is taken within the time limits prescribed by the degree program and approved by the department chair and dean at the time of formal admission or later, up to 12 hours of graduate-level credit with a grade of “B” or better in each course may count toward the degree, provided the student qualifies for admission to a graduate degree program.

Degree-Seeking Status at Two Separate Institutions

Under certain circumstances students may wish to pursue degrees at Florida State University and another institution simultaneously. In all cases students in this situation must consult their Florida State University academic advisor and academic dean to request approval in advance. If approval is granted, students may enroll at Florida State University and another institution under the following conditions:

  • Students are responsible for complying with all rules, regulations, and policies of both institutions, including but not limited to admission standards; academic rules; residency; fees; graduation requirements; university, college, and departmental deadlines; and student codes of conduct. Florida State University is under no obligation to waive or otherwise modify any policies, requirements, or deadlines to facilitate the student's enrollment at another institution.

  • Enrollment certification and degree verification issued by Florida State University will be based solely on current registration hours with Florida State University and any awards, honors, or degrees posted by Florida State University. The University will not combine enrollment or degree verification with another institution.

  • Students receiving financial aid must designate one institution as the primary institution for financial aid distribution. The primary institution will be responsible for monitoring awards and delivery of financial aid. Florida State University will not combine enrollment hours with another institution for financial aid purposes.

  • Students who are planning to transfer courses to Florida State University should seek advising in advance of doing so. The University limits the number of transfer hours a student may bring in depending on the type of degree and program. Hours used to satisfy a previous degree, either at Florida State or another institution, cannot be counted toward the current degree the student is pursuing.

General Note: Different conditions, rules, and policies may apply if Florida State University has an approved consortia or cooperative agreement with the second institution. Students should be aware that approval by Florida State University to pursue degrees at Florida State and another institution in no way binds the other institution to a similar approval. Students are encouraged to consult with the second institution about its policies before enrolling in any courses.