Non-Degree Students
Non-Degree Students
Students interested in pursuing course work at the graduate level, but not interested in enrolling in a degree program, may apply for non-degree admission (Special Student Status). Many individuals choose Special Student Status either to explore the seriousness of their interest in studying for an advanced degree and/or to strengthen their credentials for a future degree application. Others are interested in taking graduate course work for personal enrichment or professional development.
Application Details
Admission for non-degree students is rolling. We do encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible prior to the first day of the semester. As a nondegree applicant you are not required to pay the $75 application fee. However, applicants will need to submit an official, sealed transcript from their undergraduate institution.
Complete the online application and select "Non-Degree Status" in the "Applicant Profile" section. *If you are applying to take a course and pay for it with a Field Placement & Partnership Outreach Office voucher, please indicate "non-degree" under both the Intended Program and Intended Concentration sections.
International applicants are not eligible for non-degree status unless they are currently enrolled full-time at another U.S. institution or they possess a current U.S. Visa that permits them to take graduate-level courses. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission for clarification.
Although there is no limit to the number of courses a Special Student may take, no more than four courses (12 credits), if appropriate, may be applied toward a degree program in the Graduate School of Education. While admission as a Special Student does not guarantee subsequent admission for degree candidacy, courses taken as a Special Student may be applied to a degree program after official acceptance into the program and with the consent of the student's advisor. Certain restrictions apply to courses available to Special Students. Professional course work associated with teacher or counseling licensure (including practicum course work) is reserved for matriculated degree students in these programs. A listing of restricted courses is available in the Graduate Office each semester. Additionally, non-degree students are not eligible for University sponsored sources of financial aid or any financial aid that requires matriculation in a degree program.
There is a rolling admission deadline for certificate programs and for students interested in enrolling in individual courses. This means that applications can be submitted throughout the year and a decision will be rendered once the application form and any required documents are received. We strongly encourage students to apply well in advance of the start of their desired first semester or course.
Enrolled Non-Degree Students
Congratulations on being approved to enroll as a Non-Degree student! Your application has been processed and you are now eligible to take courses within the Lynch School. We are happy to guide you through the course registration process and help you select courses that will meet your needs and goals. If you did not identify specific courses that you intend to enroll in from your application, our team will assist you in selecting the courses that best fit your needs. In order to view available courses, you will need to access the Agora portal, which is BC's hub for access to all electronic resources. Information on how to access the Agora portal and how to search for courses is included below. You will need the login credentials that you received in an email confirmation upon submitting your online application.
There is no limit on the number of individual courses that can be taken while classified as a non-degree student. However, it is important to know that a maximum of 4 courses can be applied to a graduate degree, if you choose to apply at some point in the future. Therefore, it is important to remember that, if you intend to pursue a graduate degree in the future and apply these courses to it, you will need to apply and be accepted to the program before enrolling in your fifth course.
Your Agora Portal is your "home base" for access to all Boston College resources, including course registration, financial aid, and accessing your tuition bill, among many other items. Accessing your portal should be one of the first steps in being enrolled at Boston College.
Log into the Agora portal: https://portal.bc.edu/portal/page/portal/MyServices/Login
- Enter your username and password.
- Your Eagle ID is listed in the email you received approving you to enroll in courses
- Your initial password is also your Eagle ID, which you are able to change after your first login
- Under the “Academic and Courses” section, select “Course Information & Schedule”
- Select the following drop-down options:
- Term: spring, fall, or summer (based on when you intend to enroll)
- School: Lynch School of Education and Human Development
- Department: EDUC (Teacher Education/Curriculum & Instruction); ELHE (Higher Ed/Ed Leadership); MESA (Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment; APSY (Counseling/Developmental/Educational Psych)
- Term: spring, fall, or summer (based on when you intend to enroll)
- The next page will list the available classes for the selected semester. Courses listed as “major restricted” or “department permission” are only available to degree students
- Contact the Grad Office to discuss enrollment at gsoe@bc.edu or617.552.4214
- If you are paying for the class with a credit voucher, you will need to submit a request through the online Practicum Credit Voucher Request link: https://bclynch.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1UrNYbtP856YmiN
- If you are paying for the course yourself, please check “My Services” on the Agora Portal to view your student bill. The link below also contains important information on Eagle-One ID Cards, Parking Permits, and Reviewing your Student Account Bill. http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/offices/stserv/gettingstartedgrad.html.
Please note that once you have registered for a course, the University will automatically charge you a Student I.D. Card fee ($45.00) and a Graduate Student Activity Fee ($35 if you are taking fewer than 7 credits).
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact our office via email (gsoe@bc.edu) or phone 617-552-4214. We look forward to seeing you around Campion Hall 135!