Senior Citizen Audit Program

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey provides senior citizens with opportunities in higher education.

The Senior Citizen Audit Program was created by the Rutgers University Board of Governors to permit retired New Jersey residents, age 62 or older, to audit courses on a space-available, noncredit basis. There are no tuition costs for auditing courses. Senior auditors do not receive academic credit for audited courses.

Choosing a Course

In support of Rutgers' commitment to health and safety for all members of its community, the Senior Citizen Audit Program will require participants to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.   

Important to know

  • All senior citizen auditors participating in the program are required to upload proof of COVID-19 vaccination, regardless of auditing status (in person or online). 
  • Requests for medical or religious exemptions will be accepted no later than August 25 for the fall semester.
  • Senior citizen auditors who are not vaccinated or do not qualify for an exemption will not be permitted to audit classes.
  • Senior citizen auditors may audit classes with the permission of the instructor and within all departmental guidelines.
  • Senior auditors are not required to complete assignments or participate in exams.
  • Only courses offered during the spring and fall semesters are open to auditors. No other courses offered at the university are available under the Senior Citizen Audit Program, including courses offered during other terms.
  • The cost of textbooks is not included in the program.
  • Winter Session and Summer Session courses are not covered by this program.

Senior Citizen Auditor Class Participation Guidelines

Senior Citizen Auditors are guests of the university and are welcome to enjoy classes as long as they respect the expectations of the instructor regarding auditors and do not negatively impact the educational experience of other class participants.  

The class instructor, at their sole discretion, determines whether auditors in the class will be able to fully participate in the class or will only be allowed to observe with no active participation. In addition, the instructor may rescind permission of the auditor to participate if the instructor deems that it is in the best interest of the class to do so.  If a senior citizen auditor does not abide by the guidelines set forth by the instructor, is disruptive, or otherwise behaves in a way the instructor believes is detrimental to the class, either the instructor or the Senior Citizen Audit Program coordinator has the authority to rescind consent to audit the class and/or disenroll the auditor from the program. 

Application

Enrollment for the fall semester will begin June 26, 2023.

Key Dates

June 26, 2023 Application period for new members opens
June 26, 2023 Registration for the fall semester begins
August 18, 2023 Last day for new members to apply to the program
August 25, 2023 Last day for members to submit approved classes
August 25, 2023 Last day to upload proof of vaccination
August 25, 2023 Last day to apply for a vaccination exemption
September 4, 2023 Labor Day, university closed
September 5, 2023 First day of the fall semester
November 21, 2023 Observe Thursday class schedule
November 22, 2023 Observe Friday class schedule
November 23-26, 2023 Thanksgiving recess; university closed
December 13, 2023 Last day of regular classes, fall semester