Free Course
Students in their last semester of study (the semester in which they reach their 60th credit of study) may take up to 3 extra credits, free of charge, beyond the 60 credits required to complete the MBA program. Please note that although a grade of "W" has no credit value, it is included in determining a student's attempted credits, the basis by which Stern determines Free Course eligibility.
Students register for this extra class at the end of the drop/add period. The date is at the end of this period in order to ensure that all students have had a fair chance to register for courses that they may need for their MBA Program requirements and that students taking a free extra course are not closing them out of their needed courses.
Procedure
Full-Time Program Students: If students are exceeding the 15 credit maximum for their last semester in order to take the "Free Course", they must request approval through the Credit Overload site. Once the overload has been processed, the student may add the course on their own. Please note that the credit overload requests will not be processed until the lottery has ended.
Dual Degree Students: Dual Degree students who finish their Stern credits while in residence at their partner school are not eligible to take the Free Course. In order to be eligible for the Free Course, Dual Degree students must be in residence at Stern at the time when they finish their outstanding Stern credits (60 credits, including the joint degree credit reduction). It is during that semester that a Dual Degree student may take advantage of the Free Course. Otherwise, if a student attempts to take a Free Course while in residence at his or her partner school, that student will be required to pay for the course.
Part-Time Program Students: Students add the additional credits via AIS/SternLinks. After adding the course, students must complete the Free Credit Request Form. Once the form is approved, we will notify the Bursar to remove the charges for the extra credits. Charges will not be removed until the end of the semester.
Grades
- Classes are taken for a letter grade and will figure into a student's GPA.
- Auditing is not permitted.
- All grading policies and deadlines apply including drop and withdrawal.
- Courses may be applied towards specializations.
Last Semester
- The free course is only applicable in the last semester of study for up to three credits above the 60 required for the MBA.
Credit Load
- Full-Time Program: Students must satisfy all conditions required for a Credit Overload.
- Part-Time Program: Accelerations may be granted for the free extra course.
Courses
Stern courses, Study Abroad credits, and Pre-Approved Non-Stern (other NYU Division) courses may be used for the free credit offering. All program requirements must be met without using the free extra credits (e.g., the free credit course may not be used to fulfill a Core requirement).
Bursar
- Full-time students pay a flat fee for tuition and the extra credits are included within this flat fee.
- Part-time students pay by point and will be charged tuition and fees for these additional credits. If approved, the Bursar will remove the charges for the free credit at the end of the semester. In the meantime, students are not required to submit payment for the free credit.
Financial Aid
The Free Credit does not advance credit standing necessary for financial aid. The Free Credit is not required to satisfy the program requirements and, therefore, does not apply to the amount of credits needed per semester to qualify for financial aid. Please check with the Office of Financial Aid with any questions on qualifying for financial aid in any given semester.