Your Bridge to What's Next Graduate Student-at-Large
Grad School. Career Change. Upskilling. Lifelong Learner. Sample for-credit courses at UChicago through our unique GSAL bridge program.
Apply Today
Deadlines
Winter Quarter 2025
Spring Quarter 2025 (international)
Spring Quarter 2025
Upcoming Events
At a Glance
- Enrollment:
- Full-time, Part-time, Open Enrollment
- Length:
- Varies Open Enrollment
- Format:
- In-person
- Investment:
-
$4,400 per courseUChicago Bursar
- Also offered in:
Improve Your Grad School Application. Upgrade Your Career. Join a Program Built Around You.
Join a graduate bridge program where class discussions turn into vibrant discourse, peers turn into friends, goals are achieved, and doors are opened that you once never thought possible. Whether that is a graduate degree, a career change, a salary boost, or following your passion—you will receive a taste of the University of Chicago and be submersed in our premier academic learning environment with all the perks and benefits that entails.
This Unique Bridge Program Can Get You Where You Want to Be
This unique graduate program allows you to gain knowledge and skills, while being guided by professionals in a premiere educational environment. Sample for-credit courses that will help you fill a gap year, strengthen a grad school application, or bolster your career. This program offers courses in liberal arts across many areas including the physical and biological sciences, humanities, Law, public policy and social sciences. You will have a full educational experience with opportunities, networking, and university resources while you enjoy the flexible format and customization this bridge program offers.
Rethink your education
GSAL participants come from a range of backgrounds—recent undergraduates, career changers, those interested in new professional fields, and international students—yet all share a curiosity and determination to advance their education and explore fields of study at the University of Chicago. Many GSAL students wish to cultivate specialized expertise within their chosen fields of study, building on significant knowledge acquired in their prior academic training. Wherever you are in your educational journey, and wherever you are hoping to go, UChicago’s GSAL bridge program can help you get there.
Designed For
Students interested in exploring undergraduate and graduate-level for-credit courses to build their knowledge, grow their network, and receive academic advising to help ensure their success.
This Unique Bridge Program is a Game-Changer
Grab your seat. Flexible format. No test scores or recommendation letters needed.
START MY APPFor-Credit Courses That Build Your Skills, Network, and Opportunities.
Building a graduate school application? We can help. This unique program offers you support, insight, and advice to help you build a strong application. The GSAL bridge program is the only for-credit program that allows scholars to have the same classroom experience as those enrolled in Master's programs and PhD programs. They earn letter grades, course credit*, an official transcript, receive academic advising, and have access to university student resources. You will also be able to build relationships that can lead to recommendations. Showing your ability to succeed at the rigor of UChicago’s academic requirements, will make your application hard to overlook.
Try a new path to success
The GSAL bridge program offers you a graduate school experience without having to make a full commitment and helps you bridge the gap in your career or education in a unique and fulfilling way. There are no test scores or letters of recommendation needed to enroll in the GSAL program. Students are admitted every academic quarter: Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer. Once admitted, you will receive a customized curriculum and career plan, while working with our dedicated team.
Please note: All GSAL students considering any MA or PhD program at the University of Chicago must consult with the Admissions or Program Directors of their intended graduate program to determine if any courses taken through the Graduate Student-at-Large program can be transferred upon successful admission. GSAL courses do not automatically transfer into any MA or PhD program. No courses are eligible to be transferred into Master of Arts Program in Social Sciences (MAPSS).
Join an Esteemed Community of Learners
More than just access to the University of Chicago’s world-renowned classrooms, GSAL also gives students a full university experience, combining weekly community gatherings with career counseling, access to academic workshops, fitness center membership, and more. There are also opportunities to build relationships with professors, alumni, and potential employers. This unique program is a lesser-known pathway to educational and career growth, but it carries a big impact.
Talk about connections! UChicago’s bridge program boasts a thriving network, including an alumni community of over 10,000 active members, representing major industries, and residing all over the world. Get Inspired Now.
Explore some of the program perks:
- Personalized academic advising and academic support.
- Exposure and access to top faculty.
- Potential for references and letters of recommendation.
- Attend events: workshops, seminars, social events.
- Access to the abundance of UChicago resources including libraries and fitness center.
- Create a stronger graduate school application.
- Receive formal grades, official transcripts.
- Network growth opportunities with influential professionals.
- Same classroom experience as MA/PhD students.
- Benefit from UChicago’s reputation and status.
Time to Take the Next Step
GSAL is Built for People Who Are Going Places
Graduate Student-at-Large Business
Find your bridge to an MBA. Want to test the courses at Chicago Booth? Then you need to try the GSALB program at UChicago.
Uncover Details
Returning Scholars Program
Maintain your rigorous academic pace by enrolling in courses through the Returning Scholars program at the University of Chicago.
Explore Further
Thanks to GSAL, I had the opportunity to take courses at the University of Chicago, choosing the classes that PhD admission committees are likely to appreciate the most (in my case, being an economist, math and statistics are crucial).
Of Interest
Your Bridge to What's Next Graduate Student-at-Large: Business
Find your bridge to an MBA. Need to boost your resume or grad school app? Want to test courses at...
The Unique Bridge to World-Class Education
Exploring the Graduate Student-at-Large programs.
A Gem of a Program
How students use the Graduate Student-at-Large suite of programs to fine-tune their goals and chart...