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. Many individuals choose to be non-degree in order 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. The application will close approximately one week prior to the start of classes in order to provide enough time to complete the enrollment process. We do encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible before the start of the semester. As a non-degree applicant you are not required to pay the $75 application fee. However, applicants will need to submit an official 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 non-degree student may take, no more than four courses (12 credits), if appropriate, may be applied toward a degree program in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. While admission as a non-degree student does not guarantee subsequent admission for degree candidacy, courses taken as a non-degree student may be applied to a degree program after receiving an official offer of admission into the program and with the consent of the student's advisor. Certain courses may be restricted for non-degree students if they are core courses for a particular degree program. Professional course work associated with teacher or counseling licensure (including practicum course work) is reserved for matriculated degree students in these programs. Additionally, non-degree students are not eligible for University sponsored sources of financial aid (i.e. scholarship) or any financial aid that requires matriculation in a degree program (i.e. federal aid).
There is a rolling admission deadline for certificate programs and non-degree students. 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. The application will close approximately one week prior to the start of classes in order to provide enough time to complete the enrollment process. 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 admitted as a certificate or non-degree student! The next step to enrollment is to complete the enrollment response form located in your offer of admission. Once enrolled, you are 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.. 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.
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 (12 credits) 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, 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 and setting up your BC email should be your 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 BC username and Eagle ID are located on the status page of your application.
- 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 Gradudate Student Services Office to discuss registration at lynchgradcourseregistration@bc.edu or 617.552.4214
- 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.
- If you are paying for the course yourself, please check “My Services” on the Agora Portal to view your student bill. The Graduate Student Checklist provided by the Office of Student Services contains important information on Eagle-One ID Cards, Parking Permits, and Reviewing your Student Account Bill.
Please note that once you have registered for a course, the University will automatically charge you a Student I.D. Card fee and a Graduate Student Activity Fee.
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!