Auditing Courses

To audit a course means to enroll in the course without receiving credit for the course. The instructor of the course approves the audit request.

Students are assessed tuition and fees as though they are taking the course for credit, but the audited course does not count in determining full-time student status. However, an audited course does count towards the maximum allowable credits per semester. Audited courses do not apply toward V.A. benefits.

Changing status to audit: Changing a course from credit to audit requires dropping the course for credit and adding it as an audit on a schedule change request form. After day 5 of the semester, the drop will count toward the total allowable ISU drops. The drop appears on the student's permanent record.

Rights and privileges: Once enrolled in an audited course, auditors have the same rights and privileges as any student taking the course for credit. Their names appear on the class list with a notation that they are auditing the course. Audited courses do not appear on the student's permanent record except by special request from the student. A request form can be downloaded from the Office of the Registrar web site at www.registrar.iastate.edu/forms.

Audit Deadlines and Required Signatures

In addition to the deadlines provided below, note that instructors must approve all audits.

• Full semester courses:

Adding an audit−day 10 deadline:
−Through day 5 of classes: instructor approval required.

−Day 6-10: instructor, advisor approval required.
−After day 10: only with extenuating circumstances, instructor, advisor, college approval required. 

Changing status, from credit to audit−day 10 deadline:
−Through day 5 of classes: instructor approval required.
−Day 6-10: instructor, advisor, college approval required.

−After day 10: only with extenuating circumstances, instructor, advisor, college approval required.

Changing status from audit to credit−day 5 deadline:
−Through day 5 of classes: instructor approval required.
−After day 5: instructor, advisor, college approval required. 

• Partial semester or summer courses:
Deadlines are determined based on the length of the course. For deadlines concerning partial term or summer courses, contact the Student Scheduling Office, 515-294-2331.