Undergraduate courses offered by the schools of Arts & Sciences and Engineering are designed for full-time students enrolled in degree programs, but Johns Hopkins does allow a small number of students each semester to take courses for personal or professional enrichment as visiting students.

Visiting students are not enrolled in a degree program, but they may take courses in these two schools for a maximum of two semesters. Click here for the visiting student application.

Who can be a visiting student?

Former and current Johns Hopkins students
Applicants to a full-time Johns Hopkins undergraduate program
Students enrolled at another college
College graduates
Current high school students
High school graduates
Faculty and staff members at Johns Hopkins

When can I be a visiting student?

Visiting students take courses during the regular fall and spring semesters. See Summer Programs for information about being a visiting student during the summer, and see the Intersession for more information about January Intersession.

How do I apply to be a visiting student for the fall or spring semester?

Click here to download an application. Be sure to submit your completed application and $70 application fee to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by August 15 for the fall semester and January 15 for the spring semester. Applications cannot be accepted after these deadlines.

What are the admission criteria for visiting students?

Visiting student applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 from their most recently completed course work. Students who meet this requirement are evaluated based on their academic or professional objectives and the suitability of the visiting student program to meet their goals. Students are informed of their decisions shortly after receipt of their visiting student applications.

How do I register for my course(s) after I’ve been accepted?

Instructions will be included with your acceptance notification. Registration for visiting students cannot take place until all degree students have registered, usually mid-August for the fall semester and early December for the spring semester. If a class is full, you will be notified and you will be allowed to make a different selection.

What are the tuition costs for visiting students? Is financial aid available?

Visiting students taking 12 or more credits during a semester pay the same tuition fee as a full-time degree candidate ($19,575 per semester for 2009-2010). Part-time visiting students pay a pro-rated tuition fee ($1,305 per credit hour for 2009-2010). Financial aid is not available for visiting students. Payment for courses is accepted by cash, check, or money order only.

Can I take any level of course?

Visiting students are restricted to undergraduate courses. Upper-level undergraduate courses (300- or 400-level) require the instructor’s permission before registration.

Can I take medical school prerequisites?

Visiting students are restricted from taking any premedical or laboratory science courses because of space issues. Since these tend to be very popular courses, the limited space availability must be reserved for students in a degree program. Learn about the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program.

Can non-U.S. citizens apply to be visiting students?

Yes, citizens of other countries or U.S. permanent residents can apply to be visiting students if they are currently enrolled in a college or university. Non-U.S.citizens who are not permanent residents must complete and submit the International Student Certification of Finances form with their visiting student application. Permanent residents must submit a copy of their alien registration card.

Two letters of recommendation from your current institution are also required. One must be written by a counselor or administrator and one must be written by a professor.

Students who have been speaking English for fewer than five years should submit results of the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 600 (written test), 250 (computer test), or a minimum sub-score of 26 in Reading, 26 in Listening, 25 in Speaking, and 22 in Writing (Internet-based test). Make sure you include a certified English translation of any documents not in English. Both the original and the translated document require an original “true certified copy” stamp and/or an original signature from the proper school official.

Though the deadlines for application submission are August 15 for the fall semester and January 15 for the spring semester, it is recommended that non-U.S. citizens who are not permanent residents submit all documentation by May 15 for the fall semester and October 15 for the spring semester.

Is housing available for visiting students?

On-campus housing is reserved for full-time degree-seeking students. See the Off-Campus Housing Office, which can help visiting students find housing nearby.

Is parking available for visiting students?

Visiting students do not qualify for parking passes, but visitor parking is readily available.

I have almost completed my bachelor's degree at another institution and I want to take the remaining courses at Johns Hopkins. Can I do this as a visiting student?

Theoretically. Because visiting students can enroll for up to two semesters full- or part-time, you could complete up to 30 credits as a visiting student to transfer back to your home institution. Whether these credits will be accepted and applied to your degree is up to that school. It is not possible to complete the above scenario and receive a degree from Johns Hopkins unless you applied to Johns Hopkins as a full-time transfer student. See below for part-time options.

Former and Current Johns Hopkins Students

I am a graduate of the School of Arts & Sciences or the School of Engineering. Can I be a visiting student?

Yes. In fact, you don’t even have to apply to the program. Check with your former advising office in either the School of Arts & Sciences or the School of Engineering for details on how to register.

I am a current degree student in another division of Johns Hopkins. Can I be a visiting student?

Yes. In fact, you don’t even have to apply to the program. Contact your division’s Registrar’s Office for details on cross-registration.

I am a current non-degree-seeking student in another division of Johns Hopkins. Can I be a visiting student?

No. You cannot enroll as a non-degree-seeking student in two different divisions during the same semester.

Applicants to a Full-Time Johns Hopkins Undergraduate Program

I was accepted to Johns Hopkins. Can I be a visiting student over the summer so I can get a jump start before the full semester starts in the fall?

Yes. See Summer Programs to learn how.

I was not accepted to Johns Hopkins. Can I still be a visiting student?

Yes. You must apply to the visiting student program because the evaluation process is different than for regular admission. However, it is not recommended if you intend to reapply to a Johns Hopkins degree program. Courses taken as a visiting student may not be applied toward degree requirements.

I would like to apply to Johns Hopkins but I missed the application deadline. Can I still be a visiting student for the upcoming semester?

The visiting student program is not designed for students who missed the regular application deadlines. You may still apply, but it is not recommended if you intend to reapply to a Johns Hopkins degree program. Courses taken as a visiting student may not be applied toward degree requirements.

I would like to apply to Johns Hopkins in the future. Can I be a visiting student so I can see if Johns Hopkins is right for me?

Yes. Keep in mind that if you do apply for a degree program, courses taken as a visiting student cannot be applied toward your degree. Such courses would be considered transfer credits for evaluation purposes. Entering freshmen are permitted to bring in 12 transfer credits.

Students Enrolled at Another College

I am enrolled at an institution that holds a cooperative agreement with Johns Hopkins. Do I need to apply under the visiting student program?

No. If you are a student at Goucher College; Loyola College; Morgan State University; College of Notre Dame; Towson University; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Maryland Institute, College of Art; or Baltimore Hebrew College you do not need to apply to the visiting student program. Consult your home institution’s Registrar’s Office for details on cross-registration.

I am enrolled at an institution that does not hold a cooperative agreement with Johns Hopkins. If I complete course work through the visiting student program, will it count toward my degree?

Maybe. Decisions on whether to offer transfer credit for courses taken as a visiting student at Johns Hopkins rest with your home institution.

College Graduates

I am applying to a graduate degree at Johns Hopkins, but I think I will need to complete a few background courses at the undergraduate level first. Can I be a visiting student?

Maybe. Check first with the department where you plan to apply. Sometimes students in your situation are allowed to register for any needed undergraduate course after they are accepted to the graduate program. If not, you are welcome to apply to the visiting student program. Keep in mind that visiting students may not enroll in premedical or laboratory science courses. Learn about the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program.

I would like to take courses for personal enrichment, but I don’t care about receiving a grade or credit. Can I audit a course?

No, we do not offer an audit option to visiting students.

Current High School Students

I am a local high school student who has exhausted my school’s offerings in a particular subject area. Can I be a visiting student?

Yes. You may apply to the visiting student program, but you are restricted to one course per semester. You must also obtain the approval of your principal or guidance counselor. Learn about the Pre-College Summer Program and the Discover Hopkins Program for gifted high school students, which offer Johns Hopkins courses and a residential experience.

I am finishing my junior year and want to skip my senior year and begin at Johns Hopkins as a freshman. Would I be a visiting student?

No. You should apply for full-time enrollment. You will be evaluated under the same criteria as other Johns Hopkins applicants. A high school diploma is not required.

High School Graduates

I am a high school graduate who has never attended college. Can I be a visiting student?

Yes. Your application to the visiting student program will be evaluated based on your high school record. Please remember that as a visiting student you will not be working toward a degree at Johns Hopkins, although you may transfer the credits you earn to another institution.

Faculty and Staff Members at Johns Hopkins

Can I use my tuition remission benefit?

No. The visiting student program provides a small number of students each semester with the opportunity to take regular courses for full-time undergraduates in either the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences or the Whiting School of Engineering. Visiting students are not enrolled in a degree program, but they may take courses in these two schools for a maximum of two semesters.

The tuition remission benefit policy states that "payment allowances are for part-time study. Courses must be offered through the continuing education unit of one of Johns Hopkins University's academic divisions." The following links show those programs where tuition remission can be used for part-time programming:

Krieger School of Arts & Sciences Advanced Academic Programs

Degree and Certificate Programs in the Carey Business School

Degree and Certificate Programs in the School of Education

Engineering and Applied Science Programs for Professionals

Odyssey: Liberal Arts and Lecture Series for Adults

Those employed by the university can still participate in the visiting student program with the understanding that if admitted, they are responsible for all associated fees.

Why do I need to fill out an application? Why can't I just register for the course?

The application process ensures that the student is academically prepared and that the selected course is an appropriate one to meet the student’s personal and academic goals. An application is required of all visiting students, regardless of their Johns Hopkins affiliation.

I am required to take a course for my job. Do I need to apply to the visiting student program?

No. Register for the course through your department.

Contact Information

Whom can I contact with specific visiting student questions?

Amy Brokl, Visiting Student Coordinator
(410) 516-4882
amy.brokl@jhu.edu