Free Course

Students in their final semester of an MBA program may take up to 3 extra credits, free of charge, beyond the total credits required to complete their degree program. 

Two Year Full-time MBA students and Langone Part-time MBA students may register for their free course in the semester in which they earn their 60th credit.

Focused MBA students may register for their free course in the semester in which they earn their 52nd credit.

Students may register for their free course at the end of the add/drop period. Because the free course is not necessary in order to fulfill the MBA program requirements, students are not permitted to register for the free course until all other students have had the opportunity to register for courses they may need to fulfill their MBA program requirements.

Students who wish to enroll in and earn more than 63 credits (after registering and receiving approval for your free course) may do so in their final semester of study and may not extend their program to do so.  Students will be required to pay for any additional credits beyond 63 credits and must have successfully met all academic program requirements. Students are required to meet with an adviser to discuss enrollment. Please note that financial aid (including loans) is not available for any credits taken in excess of 63 credits. Tuition is charged per point and it is the sole responsibility of the student to pay all associated costs and fees.

Upon graduation, please be aware that we offer Alumni Lifelong Learning benefits which have a wealth of resources for you to enjoy as alumni.

Free Course Policies and Procedures

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Full-time and Focused MBA Students

Full-time and Focused MBA students may add their free course through Albert during the add/drop period. If a Full-time or Focused MBA student will exceed their program 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 his or her own. Please note that the credit overload requests will not be processed until the lottery period has ended. All credit overload policies apply.

Dual Degree Students

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). Dual Degree students who finish their Stern credits while in residence at their partner school are not eligible to take the Free Course. If a Dual Degree 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.

Langone Part-time MBA Students 

Langone Part-time MBA students may add the free course through Albert during the add/drop period. If a Langone Part-time MBA student will exceed the semester credit maximum in order to take the free course, they must request an Acceleration through the Academic Policy Board. After successfully adding the course, Langone Part-time MBA students must complete the Free Credit Request Form. Langone Part-time MBA students pay by point and will be charged tuition and fees for the free course. After the free course is approved, the Office of Financial Aid at Stern will place an award towards the free course.  Although the charges for the free course will temporarily show on the student’s account, payment should not be made for these additional charges. However, students must pay the rest of their balance--tuition and fees for all other courses--by the Bursar deadlines.  

  • Free courses 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 deadlines.
  • Courses may be applied towards Specializations.
Full-time and Focused MBA students that have withdrawn from a course may not be eligible for a free course. Although a grade of "W" has no credit value, it is included in attempted credits, the basis by which Stern determines Free Course eligibility. 

All program requirements must be met without using the free course (e.g., the free course may not be used to fulfill a Core requirement)
Stern courses, Study Abroad credits, and Approved Non-Stern (other NYU Division) courses may be counted toward the free course.
Full-time and Focused MBA students pay a flat fee for tuition and the free course is included within this flat fee.

Langone Part-time MBA students pay by point and will be charged tuition and fees for the free course. After the free course is approved, the Office of Financial Aid at Stern will place an award towards the free course. Although the charges for the free course will temporarily show on the student’s account, payment should not be made for these additional charges. However, students must pay the rest of their balance--tuition and fees for all other courses--by the Bursar deadlines.  

Please check with the Office of Financial Aid with any questions on qualifying for financial aid in any given semester.