Fairfield University welcomes students from other colleges and universities to take courses as visiting students during winter intersession and summer terms.

Summer term registration will open on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

What Type of Visiting Student Are You?

There are three types of visiting students at Fairfield University:

  • College students from other institutions who take credit courses at Fairfield during winter session or summer terms (up to two courses) with a goal to transfer those credits to another academic institution.
  • Students considering to start or complete their bachelor’s degree at a later time, may initially start their studies at Fairfield as a visiting student by taking credit courses in any semester (up to two courses per term.) A visiting student may choose to later apply to Fairfield University for formal admission and, if admitted, continue forward as a matriculated, degree-seeking student. The credits earned as a visiting student at Fairfield will seamlessly transfer towards their bachelor’s degree at Fairfield.
  • Individuals taking a credit course in the subject area of interest for personal or professional enrichment.

In all cases, visiting students are only permitted to register during the winter intersession or summer terms.

Next Steps

Discover Class Opportunities at Fairfield

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several types of visiting students at Fairfield:

  • College students from other institutions who take credit courses at Fairfield during winter intersessions or summer terms (up to two courses) with a goal to transfer those credits to another academic institution.
  • Students considering to start or complete their bachelor’s degree at a later time, may start their studies at Fairfield initially as a visiting student by taking credit courses in any semester (up to two courses per term.) A visiting student may choose to later apply to Fairfield University for formal admission, and if admitted, continue forward as a matriculated, degree-seeking student. The credits earned as a visiting student at Fairfield will seamlessly transfer towards their bachelor’s degree at Fairfield.
  • Individuals taking a credit course in the subject area of interest for personal or professional enrichment.

A visiting student is restricted to taking two courses per academic term with a maximum of six courses (18 credits overall in subsequent semesters). After enrollment in six courses, a student will have to apply for matriculation into an undergraduate degree program.

Visiting students are only permitted to take courses during the winter intersession or summer terms.

Visiting students must have graduated from high school to enroll at the University.

Visiting students register for courses during "open" registration periods, which typically begin early February for summer and late October for winter. Registration is on a seat-available basis.

All students enrolled in courses at Fairfield are expected to abide by the policies as written in the University's Student Handbook and Academic Course Catalogs. All students are advised to read and become familiar with these policies.

Please visit the New Visiting Student Registration page and follow the steps.

Learn More

  • Communication

    All new and returning students need to access their Fairfield University Gmail account for official communications, including directions for online courses, student evaluations, and messages from your professors. Please click the GMail icon in the my.Fairfield portal.

  • Tuition & Financial Aid

    Part-time visiting student tuition rates for credit courses can be found on the bursar page.