Auditing of Classes

Auditing allows currently enrolled students to attend a course without receiving credit. Both undergraduate and graduate students may audit courses. Students must be enrolled full-time in order to audit classes. Auditing requests by part-time, enrolled students may be allowed and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. An auditing student should not take the place of an enrolled student.

Individual programs may propose to be excluded from this policy by submitting a rationale to the Provost Office.

During the regular academic year, currently enrolled students may audit a course (sit in unofficially) with the permission of the instructor (and program/school). Summer session auditing is not permitted unless granted by exception from the Provost. Auditors are not entitled to do assignments, to take examinations/quizzes, or required to participate in classroom discussion. Faculty are not obligated to work one-on-one with students who are auditing their courses. No record of the audited class appears on the student’s semester schedule or CalArts transcript. Permission is initially at the discretion of the individual faculty member. Audited courses do not count toward full-time enrollment status or financial aid eligibility. Audited courses do not fulfill curricular requirements.

In order to become an auditor in a class a student must be granted permission from the instructor and the Program Director and the Dean’s Office.

***Students who were enrolled at CalArts during Spring 2020 and graduated in May 2020 may audit up to 2 classes throughout the 2020-21 academic year for no additional cost. 

Policy Category:
Adopted Date:
May 2020
Revised Date:
May 2025
Responsible Office:
Office of the Provost