Course Auditing FAQs

No. The only way to request to audit a course at Bowdoin is to follow the appropriate instructions on the Course Auditing page. 

You will receive confirmation by email that you have been approved to audit a course within five business days of submitting your form.

No. To allow as many community members as possible the opportunity to audit a course, we limit each auditor to one course per semester.

To audit any course at Bowdoin requires auditors to be comfortable with technology—information about the course and assignments will be delivered via Canvas (a software platform), and many readings and other course materials will only be available digitally. If a course requires more advanced technical skills, it will be noted in the Course Audit Request Form.

No. Courses that are audited at Bowdoin are not graded and therefore, you will not receive a transcript.

If a high school student needs a grade for their high school transcript, the guidance counselor will work with the Bowdoin instructor to obtain the course work and/or a grade for the student. 

Please discuss the subject matter of the course with the instructor when requesting approval to audit the course. It is at the instructor’s discretion to decide whether an auditor is capable of successfully participating in the course. 

Bowdoin employees, Bowdoin employee spouses, and high school students will need to visit the OneCard Office in the base of Coles Tower to obtain a OneCard for access to the building that their course is taking place. No other access to buildings will be allowed. 

Bowdoin students should have access to all campus buildings. 

Yes, only courses available for auditing will be available to select in the Course Audit Request Form.

No, all courses available for auditing are included in the list—faculty members will not be able to accept auditors in courses not on the preapproved list and should not be contacted about doing so.

No, as long as you have received approval from the instructor and/or lab instructor and they feel that you have the ability to be successful, you can audit the course.