Social Science Education

Non-degree Seeking Students

Limited Space

Pursuant to State of Florida regulations, non-degree seeking students enroll last and on a space available basis. Because non-degree seeking students register last, you can expect problems registering for social science education courses.

Non-degree seeking students enroll in 5000 or 6000 SSE courses. SSE 4000 level courses are reserved for undergraduates.

Teachers on temporary certificates or individuals seeking to meet certification requirements by taking courses from USF and applying directly to the state, who are not enrolled in a USF degree program, register with non-degree seeking students on a first come, first served basis. Given the current limited resources, such individuals will have great difficulty enrolling. You can avoid this problem by applying to one of our masters degree programs or our Graduate Certificate program which will allow you to register earlier in the registration process.

Closed Classes

The social science education courses have enrollment limits that are planned based on the content and assignments in each course and are strictly adhered to. While some programs do, we do not "permit" students into closed classes and students should not come to the first class meeting in hopes on enrolling.

The only way to enter SSE courses is through the registration and drop/add system. You can check OASIS frequently during the registration and the drop/add period during the first week of classes to register for an open seat should someone drop or be removed due to lack of prerequisites. 

Majors and Prerequisites for Potential MATs

Students who enroll as a nondegree seeking student in anticipation of being admitted to the MAT program should do so only if they have an undergraduate degree in a social studies teaching field. See MAT Admissions.

Financial Aid

Nondegree or Graduate Certificate enrollment is NOT considered considered "Degree Seeking" for financial aid or loan deferment purposes.

Non-degree student registration starts:

• Fall semester approximately 3rd week of August
• Spring semester approximately 1st week of December
• Summer semester approximately 1st week of May

You can check OASIS to see what classes have seats available.

Introduction

Many students start as non-degree seeking while they complete the formal admission process and/or enhance their credentials required for consideration for formal admission.

Certification-Only Students

This includes individuals with State of Florida "temporary certificates."

Individuals who are seeking certification directly from the state and wish to enroll in USF courses do so as non-degree seeking students. The courses you need to take are prescribed by the State of Florida and you should contact FDOE for advising. Generally speaking, to meet the state's "methods" requirement, you will take:

• SSE 5331 Foundations, Curriculum & Instruction (3)
• SSE 5332 Methods and Strategies in Social Science Education (3)

Future Certificate Candidates

Graduates planning to apply to the Graduate Certificate program in Social Studies Education may apply one course toward the certificate that is taken while a non-degree seeking student. See Graduate Certificate program for menu of courses.

Future MAT Candidates

Graduates planning to apply to the MAT may take nine hours selected from the following courses:

1. SSE 5641 Reading & Basic Skills (3)
2. EDF 6432 Foundations of Measurement (3) OR
   ESE 5342 Teaching the Adolescent Learner (3)
3. SSE 5331 Foundations, Curriculum & Instruction (3) OR
   SSE 5332 Methods and Strategies in Social Science Education (3)

• The GPA of students who enroll as non-degree seeking students may be used as part of the GPA consideration for admission to the MAT, if their undergraduate record does not reflect a 3.0. Such students should apply only if they have no less than a B in each course taken with no Ws while a non-degree student.
• Up to 12 credit hours taken while a non-degree seeking student may be transferred into the MAT.
• Non-degree seeking students apply after completing 9 hours.

Future M. Ed. and M.A. Candidates

• The GPA of students who enroll as non-degree seeking students may be used as part of the GPA consideration if their undergraduate record does not reflect a 3.0.
• Non-degree seeking students apply after completing 9 hours of course selected from the M. Ed. or M. A. programs. Such students should apply only if they have no less than a B in each course taken with no Ws while a non-degree student.
• Up to 12 credit hours taken while a non-degree seeking student may be transferred into the MAT.

Transfer of Credit

Students may transfer up to 12 credits from another accredited university as along as they are not more than 5 years old and up to 12 credits as a nondegree seeking students at USF. University of South Florida at St. Petersburg is considered another university.

Admissions Deadlines

Application Process

1. Complete the Non-Degree Seeking Student Application and submit it to the Registrar's Office.
2. Within about a week, you will be eligible to register for courses for the upcoming term.
3. Click on the Always Start Your Registration Here (on the right hand navigation bar) for information on availability of courses and entry into the on-line registration system.

Registration Instructions

Go to Register

Enter nine digit Student ID (or social security number) followed by your six digit personal Identification number (PIN) and press the login button (see instructions below about PIN)

Re-enter your PIN as prompted and press login.

Select the registration menu

Select Registration/Add/Drop Classes

Select the term for which you are registering from the pull-down menu and click Submit Term

To ADD a course enter the five-digit reference number (CRN) in the Add Class portion of the page and click Submit Changes

To DROP a course click on the Action pull-down menu next to the CRN, select drop, then click Submit Changes

Click Exit when finished.

Non-degree students are self-advised based on the information at this website.

Contacts & Advisors