Frequently Asked Questions

Noncredit classes are free courses for adult learners offered by the Office of Adult Education & Noncredit.  Students only have to provide for the cost of materials and parking fees where applicable.

Noncredit classes include courses in the following areas:  basic skills, disabled adults, ESL, health and safety, family and consumer studies, older adults, and short-term vocational training.

Noncredit classes are open to anyone in the community who is 18 years or older. Certain noncredit classes have a limitation on enrollment. Persons interested in those classes must meet the criteria to enroll.

Registration takes place on your first day of class.  You will fill out a Noncredit Application for Admissions form once if this is the first time you are taking a class (both credit or noncredit) through Merced College. In addition, you will fill out a yellow Noncredit Class Registration card  for each noncredit class that you wish to take.

Classes that have limited seating require pre-registration.  Call (209) 381-6540 for classes held in Merced and (209) 826-3495 for Los Banos.

Instructors will have the forms for you in class.  Make certain that you register during your first class meeting.

Merced College does not require that you provide a social security number.   However, you must fill out the rest of the form completely and provide a birth date.   Failure to fill out the rest of the form completely will result in delays in processing your application for admission.

Noncredit classes do not charge registration fees.   However, like other college classes, you may be responsible for the cost of materials to complete the class and pay for daily or semester parking permits.

Some classes will list fees for books and instructional supplies.

Parking permits are required for classes held at the Merced College campuses. Daily permits can be purchased from parking permit dispensers located throughout campus for $1.00.  A semester permit can be purchased for $20 for autos and $10 for motorcycles at the Student Fees Office located on the 3rd floor of the Lesher Building.

Parking permits may be purchased in Building A at the Los Banos Center.

No, noncredit classes do not offer letter grades. Some noncredit courses do offer certificates of completion or certificates of competency in specific programs. Noncredit classes do not offer units nor can they be substituted for credit courses that are required to complete a program, degree, or transfer criteria.

No. Noncredit classes do not offer units or substitute for credit classes offered by Merced College.

Yes. There are currently no limitations on repeating noncredit courses.