Part-Time Programs

Part-time graduate study programs at the Institute are for master’s seeking graduate students who cannot devote full time to their studies and such students are subject to the following rules:

• Applicants for the part-time master’s program must submit a regular application form accompanied by a detailed plan for meeting the course requirements for the degree.
• Any research work done for academic credit shall be supervised by a Caltech faculty member.
• In general, students admitted to the part-time program are required to take at least 27 units of graduate course work and/or research each term.
• The part-time program is limited to two years of academic residence.
• Any option at the Institute retains the right to not participate in the program or to accept it under more stringent conditions.

Caltech employees, both campus and JPL, are eligible to apply to take one or more graduate courses for credit. Participants in this program will not be considered to be working toward a Caltech degree, in contrast to the part-time program for graduate degrees described above, and courses taken under this program cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for a Caltech degree.

At least one month prior to the start of the term, the employee should have an initial discussion with the option representative of the option in which the course is to be taken. Application should be made to the Graduate Office by completing the special form provided for this purpose, and providing a transcript of academic work and a letter of recommendation. The employee must meet the prerequisites for the course, and must obtain the written permission of the instructor. The decision on admission to take each course will be made by the course instructor and the option representative, with final approval by the dean of graduate studies. Taking an additional course at a later time will require full reapplication. It is the employee’s responsibility to arrange a revised work schedule with the appropriate supervisor and approval of the employee’s supervisor is required.

Part-time non-degree students are subject to the Honor System and are under the purview of the dean of graduate studies. They may take only courses numbered 100 or higher and research courses are excluded from the program. For courses in which a letter grade is offered, these students may not register to receive a pass/fail grade in the course, nor can credit for the course be obtained by examination. The option may limit the number of non-degree students admitted to any one course.