Graduate Student-at-Large

Program Overview

Join a graduate bridge program where class discussions turn into vibrant discourse, peers turn into friends, goals are achieved, and doors are opened that you once never thought possible.

Whether that is a graduate degree, a career change, a salary boost, or following your passion—you will receive a taste of the University of Chicago and be submersed in our premier academic learning environment with all the perks and benefits that entails.

Program benefits include:

Personalized academic advising and academic support.
Create a stronger graduate school application through the receipt of formal grades and transcripts from UChicago.
Gain exposure and access to esteemed UChicago faculty, including the potential for references and letters of recommendation.
Take part in the same classroom experience as MA/PhD students.
Access to the abundance of UChicago resources including libraries and fitness center.
Take part in networking opportunities with influential professionals.

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This Unique Bridge Program Can Get You Where You Want to Be

This unique graduate program allows you to gain knowledge and skills, while being guided by professionals in a premiere educational environment. Sample for-credit courses that will help you fill a gap year, strengthen a grad school application, or bolster your career. This program offers courses in liberal arts across many areas including the physical and biological sciences, humanities, Law, public policy social sciences, and social work. You will have a full educational experience with opportunities, networking, and university resources while you enjoy the flexible format and customization this bridge program offers.

GSAL participants come from a range of backgrounds—recent undergraduates, career changers, those interested in new professional fields, and international students—yet all share a curiosity and determination to advance their education and explore fields of study at the University of Chicago. Many GSAL students wish to cultivate specialized expertise within their chosen fields of study, building on significant knowledge acquired in their prior academic training. Wherever you are in your educational journey, and wherever you are hoping to go, UChicago’s GSAL bridge program can help you get there.

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Attend: Graduate student-at-large info session

Join us for our upcoming Feb. 18 info session to gain valuable insights about how you can personally leverage the GSAL program to explore fields of academic study and preview graduate and undergraduate level for-credit courses at UChicago.

Thanks to GSAL, I had the opportunity to take courses at the University of Chicago, choosing the classes that PhD admission committees are likely to appreciate the most (in my case, being an economist, math and statistics are crucial).
Federico Marciano GSAL Alumnus Stanford University PhD Candidate

I knew there were people who were a lot more competitive than me in terms of undergraduate engineering experience. Taking advantage of the GSAL program would allow me to not only build those skills and put those courses on my resume but also demonstrate that I could do graduate engineering coursework coming from the background that I had, and more importantly, I could do it at UChicago.
Cole Simner GSAL Alumnus

Pursuing an advanced degree had become a goal of mine—a passion even—and GSAL seemed like the perfect way to segue into it. It just seemed really incredible that I could apply to GSAL and be able to take courses for credit while expanding my network at a university with the reputation and influence of University of Chicago.
Jose Diaz GSAL Alum

At other universities, the continuing education programs are often separate from the university proper, and I worried that the curriculum may be watered down. But here, I could sit in classrooms next to full-time UChicago students and learn from UChicago
Anna Bladey GSAL Alumna

For-Credit Courses That Build Your Skills, Network, and Opportunities.

Building a graduate school application? We can help. This unique program offers you support, insight, and advice to help you build a strong application. The GSAL bridge program is the only for-credit program that allows scholars to have the same classroom experience as those enrolled in Master’s programs and PhD programs. Students earn letter grades, course credit*, an official transcript, receive academic advising, and have access to university student resources. You will also be able to build relationships that can lead to recommendations. Showing your ability to succeed at the rigor of UChicago’s academic requirements, will make your application hard to overlook.

36 %

of students who took a class through GSAL or GSALB entered a graduate program at UChicago.

The GSAL bridge program offers you a graduate school experience without having to make a full commitment and helps you bridge the gap in your career or education in a unique and fulfilling way. There are no test scores or letters of recommendation needed to enroll in the GSAL program. Students are admitted every academic quarter: Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer. Once admitted, you will receive a customized curriculum and career plan, while working with our dedicated team.

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Dedicated Team

The GSAL team, housed at the University of Chicago Graham School, has decades of experience in supporting academic student success. Team members will work with you in exploring suitable courses, meeting faculty, conducting research, coordinating student engagement activities, and helping with graduate school applications (including seeking faculty for letters of recommendation).

Esther Pandian-Riske

Director, Graduate Student-at-Large

Marla Privitera

Assistant Director for the Graduate Student-at-Large Program

Tom Shannon

Enrollment Counselor

Seth Green

Dean, University of Chicago Graham School

Michelle Libby

Graham School Dean of Students and Associate Director of Finance and Operations

Frequently Asked Questions

Do GSAL students take courses with full-time and part-time University of Chicago students?

Yes. GSAL students take courses with both full- and part-time College, Master’s, and PhD students at the University of Chicago and are held to the same rigorous academic standards.

Will I get a degree from this program?

No, the Graduate Student-at-Large program is a non-degree program. You will receive an official University of Chicago transcript, which lists the courses you have taken.

What’s the difference between the Graduate Student-at-Large and Returning Scholar programs?

GSAL students may take courses for credit, earn a letter grade for each course taken, and receive a transcript. Returning Scholars may audit courses and get transcripts but do not receive academic credits or grades.

What is the program tuition?

Details on costs for GSAL can be found on our tuition page.

As a Graduate Student-at-Large, will I be taking courses with other continuing studies students? Which courses are open to me?

GSAL students take regular university courses, not continuing studies courses.

You are able to take all available graduate, undergraduate, or professional school courses (except in the Pritzker School of Medicine) for which you have the prerequisites. In order to take any course, you must follow a particular department’s registration policy and obtain approval. Undergraduate courses require advance consent from their instructor.

Is there any way to meet fellow GSAL students?

The GSAL team hosts weekly happy hours to make sure GSAL/B/RS students have regular options to meet and connect with their academic colleagues. GSAL also hosts an annual seminar on exploring graduate school so students can learn about different fields of study and how to craft a successful graduate school application from program directors and admissions personnel. Additionally, quarterly workshops, mixers, and other social events enable GSAL students to build community and learn about campus-wide resources.

I plan to apply to a graduate degree program at the University of Chicago. Will these classes transfer? How many classes will transfer?

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the Crown School of Social Work will accept up to three transfer credits. While GSAL courses do not transfer to other UChicago graduate degree programs, they provide a significant advantage in preparing for future graduate school applications. Completing GSAL courses and earning a transcript from the University of Chicago demonstrates academic rigor and dedication, enhancing your competitiveness in the admissions process. These courses also offer valuable opportunities to build relationships with faculty, potentially securing strong recommendations for graduate applications, and allow you to explore the coursework before committing to a full program.

As a GSAL student, will I have access to the libraries and athletic facilities?

Yes. You will have access to a variety of student services and facilities for each quarter that you are enrolled in classes. GSAL students can access campus libraries and have borrowing privileges with their UCID card.

Will I have an academic and graduate school advisor?

Yes. The Program Director and her team of advisors are experienced in academic student success and will work with you to explore suitable courses, meet and converse with faculty, conduct research and student engagement activities, help with graduate school applications (including seeking faculty for letters of recommendation), and help you manage your work-life balance.

I am working during the day, can I take evening classes?

The vast majority of classes are offered during the day; very few are offered in the evenings.

How do I register for GSAL courses?

Once you are admitted into the program, you will work closely with the Program Director to get enrolled in suitable courses of your choice.

Where are classes held?

Most courses are offered on the main Hyde Park campus with the exception of a few programs which are offered online or located in downtown Chicago at either the Gleacher Center or NBC Tower.

How do I remain an active GSAL student?

Maintain active status by registering for classes each quarter after admission to the program. Failing to do so will result in losing Student Life benefits. To renew status or for any restrictions or alerts on your account, please contact Program Director Esther Pandian-Riske. Ensure there are no holds on your account before registration that may impact to enroll in upcoming undergraduate and graduate courses. Prior to the registration period, use the online registration tools available at MyUChicago.

How many courses can I take per quarter?

Domestic students can take up to two courses per quarter. In exceptional cases, students may register for three courses per quarter with the approval of the program director. Students who wish to take more than two courses in a single school or department must receive departmental approval prior to registration. International students must be registered for 300 credits every quarter (usually three courses) to be in full-time status, which is a requirement for the J1 visa.

Once I apply, am I obligated to take a class this quarter?

No. If you decide to take a class in a subsequent quarter, please contact our office three weeks prior to the quarter start date. International students on J1 visas are obligated to complete their studies or must contact the Director and Dean of Students for assistance if they are unable to continue their studies.

I want to apply to medical school and need one or two biology and chemistry classes that I didn’t take in college. Can I take these as a GSAL student?

Yes. However, undergraduate students have priority for undergraduate courses, so you will need to plan carefully to ensure the courses you need are available. Additionally, GSAL students cannot participate in any lab courses. Instructor consent is also required to register for undergraduate courses.

I was accepted last year to GSAL, but never took a class. Do I need to reapply to take a class this quarter?

No. If fewer than four quarters have passed since you were accepted or last took a course, simply contact the office three weeks prior to the quarter start date to renew your status. After four quarters without registering for a class, we require an updated candidate statement and resume for your status to be reinstated.

Course Credit Transfer Policy*: All GSAL students considering any MA or PhD program at the University of Chicago must consult with the admissions or program directors of their intended graduate program to determine if any courses taken through the Graduate Student-at-Large program can be transferred upon successful admission. GSAL courses do not automatically transfer into any MA or PhD program. No courses are eligible to be transferred into Master of Arts Program in Social Sciences (MAPSS).

GSAL and GSALB Alumni

Students in our Graduate Student at Large (GSAL) and Graduate Student at Large Business (GSALB) programs have gone on to various MA and PhD Programs all over the United States and used their training to succeed in various professional pathways.

We encourage our program alumni to stay in touch with the GSAL Program Office to receive program and alumni information updates and invitations to events.

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About the UChicago GSAL Programs

Since its founding, the University of Chicago has exemplified an unwavering dedication to intellectual exploration and the democratization of knowledge. Rooted in this vision, the concept of the “student-at-large” has been a cornerstone of the University’s mission, extending access to rigorous scholarship beyond traditional degree pathways.

Inspired by President Harper’s transformative ideals, the “at-large” model invites individuals of all backgrounds to immerse themselves in a world-class academic environment defined by inquiry, innovation, and excellence.

Established in 1994, the Graduate Student-at-Large program embodies this enduring tradition, offering unparalleled access to graduate and undergraduate coursework across a broad spectrum of disciplines. With 36% of GSAL students from 2015 to 2024 bridging into esteemed MA, MBA, and PhD programs within UChicago and a network of 10,000+ active alumni representing major industries worldwide, the program continues to demonstrate its transformative impact.