Graduate-level Non-Degree Seeking Students: A Growing Audience

Abstract

Described as “ripe for the picking,” non-degree seeking (NDS) students in graduate education are creating an accelerated awareness of how little is known by institutional, state, and federal stakeholders about this population. Recognition of the unidentified learning objectives, limited student services, and ambivalence within the university towards graduate-level NDS students prompted an exploratory case study at the University of South Florida. The purpose of the study was to identify who these students are, what value they have at multiple levels within the University, and what is being done to support their learning objectives. Findings revealed significant methodological challenges, with minimal research and limited record keeping illuminating why this “hidden college” exists. The study took on immediate import at the University and highlighted the obvious application to improve services for this population. Multiple suggestions for NDS graduate student services are outlined.