Non-degree students may also be referred to as special students in Boston University systems and policies.
Take a COM Course as a Non-Degree Student
Interested in taking a graduate-level COM course without enrolling in a degree program? You may be exploring graduate study, completing requirements for another program, building professional skills, or simply interested in a subject you want to study more deeply.
Boston University College of Communication welcomes applications from qualified non-degree students for select graduate courses.
These instructions apply specifically to students who want to take courses offered by the College of Communication (COM). If you’re interested in a course offered by another BU school or college, such as Metropolitan College (MET) or the College of Fine Arts (CFA), please follow that school’s enrollment procedures.
Before you apply: what to know
Before applying as a non-degree student at COM:
- You must have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Non-degree students may enroll only in COM graduate-level courses numbered 500 and above. Undergraduate courses are not available to non-degree students through this process.
- Course enrollment is not guaranteed. Admission to a course depends on instructor approval, completion of any prerequisites, and available space.
- Degree-seeking students receive priority registration. Non-degree students may enroll only after degree-seeking students have had the opportunity to register.
- Some courses have prerequisites or enrollment restrictions. Be sure to review course details before applying.
- You must reapply each fall and spring semester in which you want to take a course as a non-degree student.
- A maximum of two non-degree courses, or eight credits, may be eligible for transfer if you are later admitted into a COM master’s, graduate certificate, or doctoral program. Transfer is not automatic and depends on the requirements of the program to which you are admitted.
Tuition, financial aid, + auditing
The tuition rate is the same whether you audit an in-person course or take it for academic credit.
Visit tuition and fees for current cost information.
Non-degree students are not eligible for federal financial aid or COM scholarships.
Interested in an online Civic Science course?
COM’s online Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication consists of four asynchronous courses totaling 16 credits. The program is designed to build expertise in communicating science effectively to diverse audiences.
If you’d like to take a single Civic Science course without enrolling in the full certificate program, follow the non-degree student application process below.
How to apply as a non-degree student
Not sure whether non-degree study is right for you? Contact Graduate Affairs at comgrad@bu.edu before applying.
Taking a COM course as a non-degree student requires several steps. All requirements must be completed before the first day of classes each semester.
- Find a COM graduate course.
- Use BU’s course search to identify the class you’d like to take.
- When searching, select:
- Semester: Fall or Spring
- College: COM
- Department: Choose the appropriate department:
- COMFT–Film and Television
- COMEM–Emerging Media Studies
- COMJO–Journalism
- COMCM–Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations
- COMCO–Communication Core
- Course number: 500 or above
- Get approval from the course instructor.
- You must receive approval by email from the professor teaching the course.
- Many COM faculty members can be found in the COM Faculty Directory. If you can’t find the instructor’s email address, contact Kayla Ring at kbring10@bu.edu.
- Complete the non-degree application.
- Complete the form below and submit:
- Email approval from the course instructor
- A copy of your unofficial or official undergraduate transcript
- Complete the form below and submit:
- Wait for COM approval and enrollment.
- After your application is approved by COM’s Graduate Affairs Office, you will be enrolled in the course through Boston University’s MyBU Student Portal.
- Pay your tuition and fees.
- Once enrolled, you are responsible for paying your course charges in full through Boston University’s Student Accounting Services.
Tuition refunds after registration
Before registering, review the University’s withdrawal and tuition refund schedule carefully. Registration and other fees are nonrefundable as of the first day of the semester.
If you’re enrolling in an online class, be sure to review the tuition refund schedule that applies to that course and semester.
Your academic record as a non-degree student
Boston University maintains an academic record for each non-degree student. Your coursework will be graded and recorded according to the academic policies of the College of Communication.
Taking courses as a non-degree student does not guarantee future admission to a COM graduate program. If you later apply to a master’s, graduate certificate, or doctoral program, your application will be considered alongside all other applicants.
If admitted, a maximum of two courses, or eight credits, completed as a non-degree student may be eligible to transfer toward your graduate program. Transfer of credits is not guaranteed and depends on program requirements.
Information for international students
International students are generally not eligible to enroll as non-degree students. Questions about immigration status or eligibility should be directed to BU’s International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO).
BU and WBUR employees using tuition remission
BU and WBUR employees follow the same non-degree application process and policies described above.
Employees are responsible for applying separately for tuition remission through BU Human Resources.
Taking COM courses during the summer
The application process and policies on this page only apply to courses offered during the fall and spring semesters.
If you’d like to take a COM course during the summer, visit Boston University Summer Term for registration information and instructions. Questions about summer enrollment should be directed to BU Summer Term.
Non-Degree Special Student Registration Request
Please email comgrad@bu.edu with questions.