Resources for Auditors

Auditing Courses at Wellesley

Wellesley College courses are offered primarily to accommodate our degree-seeking students and others accepted to enroll for credit. When resources permit, we welcome select categories of people to attend courses on campus on a non-credit basis as auditors. As of Fall 2023, we use a centralized registration process, and an administrative fee of $250 is charged (please see exceptions below).

Eligibility Criteria

The following groups of people are eligible to register as an auditor for one course in a Fall or Spring semester (we do not offer auditing during Winter and Summer):

  • Alumnae of Wellesley College
  • Residents of the Town of Wellesley age 60 and older
  • Current full-time employees and their spouses
  • Current part-time employees (who are limited to one course per year)
  • Retired employees of Wellesley College who retired at age 60 or older with a minimum of 10 years of service at the College.

General Information for Auditors

  • Registration is required. All auditors must successfully register. Registration is first-come, first-serve. No waitlists will be maintained, and no late registration is available. See the Auditor Registration Instructions section below.
  • An administrative fee of $250.00 is charged each semester to those who are eligible to audit a course and are not either a current employee, a retiree of the College, or the spouse of a current full-time employee. Alumnae may contact alumnae@wellesley.edu for financial assistance through the Alumnae Access Fund.
  • Auditors may not submit written work of any kind and do not take any assessments (quizzes, tests and exams). Auditors do not participate in classroom discussions unless the faculty member sets a different standard of participation for their course.
  • No documentation of participation is provided to auditors either from individual faculty or from the College.
  • Abiding by the Wellesley College honor code is expected of all students, including auditors.
  • An auditor may attend no more than one course per Fall and Spring semester. (Note: Part-time employees are limited to auditing one course per year)
  • Auditor withdrawal: Any person formally registered to audit a class may withdraw by emailing registrar@wellesley.edu and also notifying the instructor directly. Refunds of the administrative fee will be given for a withdrawal submitted on or before the 10th day of instruction. After the 10th day of instruction, no refunds will be given.

Timeline for Spring 2025

  • Release of course schedule for auditors - Monday, December 9, 2024
  • Auditor registration opens - Monday, January 6, 2025 at noon
  • Auditor registration closes - Monday, January 13, 2025 at noon
  • Classes begin - Tuesday, January 21, 2025
  • Last day to request a refund - Monday, February 3, 2025

Check the Academic Calendar for detailed information about when classes are held.

Spring 2025 Auditor Course Schedule

The Spring 2025 Course Schedule for Auditors link will be available as of Monday, December 9, 2024. Please note that the Course Schedule symbols for 'Seats available' and 'Course full' (see examples below) do NOT pertain to auditors and should be ignored. When all auditor seats in a course are taken a course no longer appears in the Registration Form.

For Auditors courses icon



List of Spring 2025 Courses Available for Auditor Registration

Auditor Registration Instructions

The link to the on-line auditor registration form is available below and will be live as of Monday, January 6, 2025 at noon when registration begins. If you have any questions about the registration or payment process, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 781-283-2307 or registrar@wellesley.edu.

Link to the Auditor Course Registration Form

The steps for registration are:

  1. Complete the online registration form (between Monday, January 6, 2025 at noon and Monday, January 13, 2025 at noon).

    • Please note: In the ‘Auditor Type’ question each alumna needs to provide their Wellesley Login name (for verification purposes). You do not need your password and you do not need to login. If you need to obtain your Login name, detailed instructions are available.

  2. Continue to the payment form and pay the registration fee (if applicable).

    • Please note: You will be asked to enter the personal email address you entered in the registration form. After you Add to Cart, the shopping cart can be accessed from the link on the top right. On checkout, choose ‘Checkout as a Guest’.

  3. Check for a confirmation email from ‘registrar@wellesley.edu’ after you have completed the on-line registration process. There will be reminders in the email that relate to steps that non-employee auditors will need to complete. Please go to the Wellesley College Police and Public Safety Department (on the ground floor of the Davis Parking Facility) between January 17 and the day of your first class meeting and pick up your building access card.

Before Attending the First Class Session

Remember to confirm the course location using Course Browser. Make sure to check the day before classes start as classroom assignments may change.

Auditor Building Access and Parking Information

Parking is included in your administrative fee. Auditors park in the Davis garage adjacent to the Wang Campus Center. Once successfully registered, each auditor will receive an email that details the process for obtaining a campus building access card (to enter the building where their class will be held). Note that the Clapp Library will be closed for renovation.