Who Can Apply to ASU Online and What Admission Paths Exist?

ASU Online admits students through several distinct paths rather than a single application track. On the ASU Online site, the "Find information about admission" section lists these categories: First-year, Transfer, Starbucks, Homeschool, International, Graduate, Military, and Nondegree. Which one applies to you depends on your prior education, your location, and your relationship to an employer or program — so the practical first step is identifying your category before you start an application.

The admission paths ASU Online lists

Each path has its own requirements and process, so use the category that matches your situation rather than a general application route.

How to figure out which path is yours

Work through these questions in order:

1. Are you seeking a full degree or just coursework? If you want to take classes without committing to a degree, the Nondegree path is the relevant one. Otherwise you're applying to a degree program.
2. What level is the program? Graduate programs (for example, the MS in nursing education referenced on the site) fall under the Graduate path. Undergraduate degrees fall under first-year or transfer.
3. Do you have prior college credit? If yes, you're likely a transfer applicant. If no, first-year.
4. Are you outside the U.S.? The International path applies.
5. Do you have a military connection? The Military path covers service members and related applicants.
6. Are you affiliated with Starbucks or were you homeschooled? These have dedicated paths.

If more than one seems to fit — for instance, an international transfer student — check the specific pages for each relevant category, since requirements can overlap.

What applies across all paths

A few things hold regardless of which path you use:

• Accreditation is uniform. ASU's online degrees are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and the site states they are recognized by employers and graduate schools as equivalent to campus degrees. This applies to the online programs generally, not to one admission path over another.
• Scholarships are automatic for eligible students. Eligible ASU Online students are automatically considered for scholarships at admission after submitting a FAFSA — no separate scholarship application is required. "Eligible" is the operative word here, so confirm your own eligibility rather than assuming it.
• Program availability varies. ASU Online offers 400+ online degree programs across fields including humanities, business, science, nursing, engineering, and more. Not every program is open through every path, so confirm your intended program is available to your applicant category.

Common sticking points

• Choosing the wrong category. Applying as a first-year when you have transferable credit, or vice versa, can slow your application. Match your path to your actual background.
• Assuming the Starbucks or Military path is automatic. These are dedicated admission routes, not automatic benefits — you still apply and meet requirements.
• Overlooking the Nondegree option. If you want to test a subject or earn credits before committing to a degree, Nondegree is a legitimate path worth considering.
• Treating "eligible" as "everyone." The automatic scholarship consideration applies to eligible students who submit a FAFSA; it is not a blanket guarantee.

What to do next

Go to the admission information section on ASU Online and select the category that matches your situation — First-year, Transfer, Starbucks, Homeschool, International, Graduate, Military, or Nondegree. Read that page's requirements before starting your application, and confirm that your intended program accepts applicants through that path. If you're unsure between two categories, check both pages, since the requirements differ by path.