Part-Time Visiting Students

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Visiting Students

We are delighted that you have chosen Fairfield for your undergraduate academic needs. If you are a current Fairfield University student or previously taken a course at Fairfield University, welcome back!
There are several types of visiting students at Fairfield University:
  • College students from other institutions who take credit courses at Fairfield during any semester (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 (or a non-credit course) in subject area of interest for personal or professional enrichment.

If you have never before taken a course at Fairfield (as an undergraduate, graduate, or part-time student or for any certificate, professional or personal development classes), you will need to follow the New Visiting Students online registration steps.

If you have previously taken a credit course as a visiting student at Fairfield, please review the registration process for Returning Visiting Students.

New Visiting Students

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New Visiting Students

How to Become a Visiting Student

Step 1: Review Course Descriptions and Schedules

To get started, please review courses available for the upcoming semester by visiting “Browse Classes” from the Part-Time and Continuing Studies Admission webpage. Follow the prompts to find the semester and course you are interested in taking. Click on the course name to determine class availability and any prerequisites that may be required, particularly for upper level courses. Please note the course name and CRN number for registration purposes.

  • Individuals interested in applying to bachelor’s degree programs on a part-time basis need to apply directly through Office of Undergraduate Admission at 203-254-5532 or visit the website to learn more.

Step 2: Complete & Submit First Time User Registration Form

To receive your Fairfield student ID, complete and submit the First Time User form. If you receive an error message after completing the form (this rarely occurs), please copy and e-mail it to registrar@fairfield.edu. You will receive an e-mail from the Registrar’s Office within 24 hours (during business hours) with a resolution.

All visiting students must have graduated from high school to be considered for enrollment in classes. Current high school students, except for currently enrolled students at Fairfield College Preparatory School, are not permitted to be visiting students at the University.

Step 3: Claim Your NetID

Within one hour of submitting your First Time User Form, you will receive an email prompting you to claim your NetID at fairfield.edu/netid to set up your access to my.Fairfield.edu – the official student portal for Fairfield University. You must claim your NetID and set up access to my.Fairfield.edu in order to proceed with registration and payment.

Step 4: Register for Courses

Visit my.Fairfield.edu, the University’s online student portal, where you can pay and register for classes; view official University notifications, course schedules, and transcripts; and access your grades. While in my.Fairfield, search for "Registration" and click on the "Course Registration" task. Be sure to read the promissory note carefully, then follow the prompts to select your course(s) and complete registration. Visit the Summer Course Registration page more specific payment and registration information.

For all future course registrations at Fairfield, you will go directly to my.Fairfield.edu to register for classes, so please remember your username and password.

Step 5: Pay for Courses

Within 24 hours of course registration, a message will be sent to your Fairfield University student Gmail account including details of how to select a payment method for your registered course(s). Timely payment will guarantee your place in the course. To access your student Gmail account, log into my.Fairfield and search for "Student Email."

Step 6: StagCard

The StagCard is a student’s key to many opportunities at Fairfield. It serves as a library card, it may act as a debit card, and of course, it’s a student ID, which qualifies students for discounts at the bookstore and other venues. It should be carried at all times while on campus.

In order to obtain a StagCard, you must be registered for classes and need to bring photo identification, a driver’s license or passport, and proof of enrollment to the StagCard office, and be prepared to have a photo taken. Replacement cost is $25. The StagCard office also takes passport photos for $15. For more information on the StagCard’s functions, visit fairfield.edu/stagcard.

Barone Campus Center, Lower Level, Room 10
(203) 254-4009
stagcard@fairfield.edu
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Summer Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – noon. 

Step 7: Vehicle Registration and Parking Permit

All vehicles on campus must display a valid University parking permit sticker, which is free to all part-time students. To obtain a sticker, students must bring their state vehicle registration and their valid StagCard (student ID) to the parking office in the Department of Public Safety to pick up a parking sticker. Cars without stickers will be ticketed.

Loyola Hall, Room 2
(203) 254-4000, ext. 2745
mademasi@fairfield.edu
fairfield.edu/parking
Hours: Monday – Thursday | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Summer Hours: Monday – Thursday | 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday | 8 a.m. – noon

Step 8: Student Handbook and Academic Catalog

All visiting (non-matriculated) students are expected to abide by Fairfield University’s student code of conduct and regulations, as well as to follow the academic policies and procedures. It is recommended that visiting students familiarize themselves with both the University’s Student Handbook and Undergraduate Academic Catalog. New visiting students should also review the annual Academic Calendar for important University dates.

Returning Visiting Students

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Returning Visiting Students

Step 1: Select Your Class

Review the course descriptions and course schedules to determine the class you want to take and the academic term you would like to enroll.

Step 2: Log Into my.fairfield

Go to my.fairfield.edu and log in using your Net ID user name and password. On the my.Fairfield homepage, you will be instructed about login procedures or if you need assistance in claiming your ID and creating a password if it has expired or you have forgotten it. 

Step 3: Vehicle Registration & Parking Permit

All vehicles on campus must display a valid University parking permit sticker, which is free to all part-time students. To obtain a sticker, students must bring their state vehicle registration, and their valid StagCard (student ID) to the parking office in the Department of Public Safety to pick up a parking sticker.  Cars without stickers will be ticketed.

Loyola Hall, Room 2
(203) 254-4000, ext. 2745
mademasi@fairfield.edu
fairfield.edu/parking
Hours: Monday – Thursday | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday | 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday | 8 a.m. – noon

Course Options

Search/Browse Courses by Session

Know what session you want to enroll in? Search for available courses here.

Online Programs

Online courses are offered during the summer, fall, spring and winter intersessions and are designed to accommodate students accelerating their degree program.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several types of visiting students at Fairfield:

  • College students from other institutions who take credit courses at Fairfield during any semester (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 (or a non-credit course) in subject area of interest for personal or professional enrichment.

A visiting student is restricted to taking two courses a semester with a maximum of six courses (18 credits overall in subsequent semesters). After enrollment in six courses, a student will either have to apply for matriculation into an undergraduate degree program or get an override to continue to take coursework only (not seeking a degree). 

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

Visiting Students register for courses during "open" registration periods, which are typically beginning early February for Summer, early July for Fall and early December for Spring. 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 refer to the steps in New Visiting Student interstitial/pop-up in the Visiting Students section (above).

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