The Program

What Courses Can I Take?
Community Scholars may choose courses from Schools and departments throughout the University, with the exception of the Schools of Medicine, Law, and Education *.  Community Scholars must obtain instructor permission to enroll in a class.  For some courses and schools, additional signatures maybe required.  See Five Easy Steps to Enroll for more information.    

You may take up to two classes each semester, along with any dependent laboratory or discussion sessions, for a maximum of 11.5 credit hours.

Interested participants who wish to take graduate courses must have an undergraduate degree. The University operates on a semester-based schedule. Classes may be taken through the Community Scholar Program in the fall and spring semesters. U.Va’s Summer Session Office offers classes in the summer.

The Community Scholar Program does not grant degrees. The School of Continuing and Professional Studies does offer a part-time bachelor’s evening degree program, the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. If you wish to earn a degree by taking courses full-time at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, you must apply to the Undergraduate Office of Admissions or the appropriate graduate school.

For information on University resources available to Community Scholars, please consult The Community Scholar Handbook.

*The Curry School of Education does offer professional development courses to community members who possess a minimum of an undergraduate degree. Registration is handled directly by the Curry School. For information, contact the Curry School’s Office of Admissions, 434-924-3334, 104 Ruffner Hall.