Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Admissions

Non-degree Programs

Qualified individuals who wish to study at the graduate level, but not pursue a degree may apply to be admitted to the Division of Special Registration (DSR).

Students seeking to engage in course work or a combination of coursework and research are identified as “Special Students.” Admission to the DSR as a Special Student is for one term or one year only and carries with it no commitment for further study. Students enrolled as special students are not eligible for financial aid or loans.

Students who are currently enrolled in a graduate program at another university and who wish to pursue full time dissertation-level research at Yale may be admitted to the DSR as a “Visiting Assistant in Research” (VAR).

VARs may not enroll in classes at Yale and are limited to a maximum of two years of study.

Prospective applicants to these programs should first contact the department to which they are interested in applying for more information and specific eligibility requirements. You must have permission from the department you wish to affiliate with before you can submit an application.

When you are ready, please click on the link below if applying as a Special Student. Click on the following link if applying as a Visiting Assistant in Research.