Auditing a class means attending a course without receiving a grade or credit for it. It is a low-risk way to learn more about a certain subject or investigate a potential new major or career choice. Auditing a course is often considered risk-free, since it allows students to learn without fear of earning a low grade or missing out on participation points. Auditing a class can be a wise choice for certain students, such as learners who feel they dont have enough time to enroll in all of the courses that interest them or who are struggling to decide on a major.

Auditing policies and associated costs vary widely among universities. Students taking courses for credit are given priority, so students who wish to audit courses are permitted to register only during the add/drop period at the beginning of the semester. Students are charged for audited courses at 50% of the regular tuition rate that applies to courses taken for credit, and must pay any additional lab fees that may be associated with the course.

To audit a course, students need to take an Add/Drop Form to the first class meeting, indicate "AU" in the grade option box, and ask the professor to sign it. Then, they need to bring the form to the Financial & Registration Services Office. Permission must be granted by the instructor, department administrator, and university registrar.

Auditing a class can be a convenient way to explore a new subject or field, help pick a major, or even revisit an interest after graduation or during retirement.