There are two categories of graduate students recognized at UAB: degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students.
DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS
Degree-seeking graduate students are those accepted into a specific graduate program to work towards a specific advanced degree.
NON-DEGREE SEEKING STUDENTS
The non-degree category serves students who do not wish to pursue a graduate degree at UAB, as well as those who wish to begin graduate study before being admitted to a degree program. Not all graduate courses are open to non-degree seeking graduate students. Although there is no limit to the number of credit hours that may be earned as a non-degree seeking student, credit earned this way does not necessarily apply toward a degree, should a student later wish to pursue an advanced degree at UAB. No more than 12 semester hours earned as a non-degree seeking graduate student may be applied toward an advanced degree at UAB.