Noncredit Education

Develop Foundational Academic and Job Skills without Fees or Grades

Noncredit education offers tuition-free classes and certificates that help you develop foundational skills and provide a smooth transition to credit programs and employment. Noncredit courses can be repeated to allow time for students to build skills without the pressure of receiving grades or paying tuition and fees.

Programs with Noncredit Courses/Certificates

Program Name	Noncredit Courses
Automotive Technology	Noncredit Automotive Basics Courses
Building Industries	Noncredit Construction Fundamental Courses Noncredit Energy Surveying and Lighting Retrofits Courses
Business	Noncredit Computer Basics Courses Noncredit Entrepreneurship for Makers Courses
English as a Second Language (ESL)	Noncredit ESL Courses

Benefits of Noncredit Courses

Tuition-free
No prerequisite requirements on most noncredit courses
Repeatable even if you receive passing grade
Time to develop the skills and knowledge needed at your own pace
Serves as a gateway into credit certificate and degree programs
Gain skills and knowledge for a current or new job
Improve math, English and literacy skills

Noncredit vs. Credit Course

Learn the differences between noncredit courses and credit courses.

Noncredit Course	Credit Course
Do not earn college credit	Earn college credit toward a degree and certificate
Receive a pass or no pass grade	Receive a letter grade (A, B, C, D, F)
No tuition or fees required to take course	Tuition and fees required to enroll in course
Can repeat as many times as desired	Can only complete course once with passing grade

Frequently Asked Questions About Noncredit Courses

Cost

How much does it cost to take a noncredit course?
There are no fees or tuition for noncredit courses. However, students may be responsible for books, supplies and parking fees where applicable.

Do I have to purchase books?
Students may need to purchase textbooks and/or materials for noncredit courses depending on the requirements of the class. Review specific details of each class.

Do I need to purchase a parking permit?
Parking permits are required for classes held at the Rocklin, Nevada County, and Tahoe-Truckee campuses. For more information, visit the parking page.

Eligibility

Financial Aid

More FAQs

Can I take a combination of noncredit and credit classes at the same time?
Yes.

Am I eligible for Student Accessibility Services (SAS) when taking a noncredit course?
Yes. Please visit the SAS office for more information.

How can I tell the class is noncredit in the class schedule?
The course number will be between 800-899 and has zero units associated with it. For example, if the course says ESL 0800 then 800 is the course number.

Steps to Register for Noncredit Courses

Apply to Sierra College.
Complete the remaining steps to register for classes.
View Class Schedule.
Register for the noncredit course(s) in mySierra.