Get Started

Step 1: Read Visiting Guest Student Guide (pdf)
This guide contains important details, including course restrictions and student account and billing information. Those interested in taking courses are required to read this guide prior to submitting a petition.

Step 2: Submit transcript & Visiting Guest Student Petition (pdf)
Complete the petition, including the statement of interest, and submit it, along with a scanned copy of your most recent transcript, to non-degree@andrew.cmu.edu. This petition must be completed in its entirety for every semester of enrollment, even if you have already taken coursework. 

Your petition will be reviewed and you will receive a notification that your petition has been approved or denied within approximately two weeks.

Step 3: Receive student ID number & Andrew ID
If your petition is approved, you will receive a student ID number and your Andrew ID, along with a link that allows you to set up a password. Your Andrew ID will grant you access to services including Student Information Online (SIO), email, and the Library Information System. If you have not received your Andrew ID within 5 days, please reach out to it-help@andrew.cmu.edu.

You can learn more about Andrew IDs on the Computing Services website.

Register for Courses

Step 4: Plan your schedule
View the Schedule of Classes to search for courses and plan your schedule. Most courses are open to visiting guest students, though some may be restricted to degree-seeking students. Take note of any courses with pre-requisites, as you may need special permission from the instructor in order to register.

Once your petition has been approved by the University Registrar's Office, you may log into Student Information Online (SIO) to search for courses and organize your schedule.  

Step 5: Register in SIO
Visiting guest students do not have specific registration start times and are not able to register for courses until after Registration Week ends (see Academic Calendar for exact dates).

If you are unable to register for a course because of pre-requisites, email the instructor for permission. If permission is granted, forward the reply to non-degree@andrew.cmu.edu and you will be registered for the course. 

If you are interested in a course with a pre-existing waitlist, please be aware that you will be placed at the end of the waitlist, as preference is given to degree-seeking students. You can learn more about the waitlist process and timeline by viewing the Waitlist Navigation Guide.

You can learn more about course registration on the 4 Easy Steps to Registration webpage. Students registering for Tepper School of Business courses follow a separate process.

Follow the Academic Calendar 

Step 6: Follow the Academic Calendar
Visiting guest students are subject to all dates and deadlines listed on the Academic Calendar. It is important to familiarize yourself with the Academic Calendar for the semester or academic year in which you are enrolled so that you do not miss important dates and deadlines.

If you decide to drop a course and would like your tuition adjusted, you must to do so before the course add/drop deadline to receive a tuition adjustment (see the Academic Calendar for dates). Tuition for courses dropped after the course drop deadline to receive a tuition adjustment is not adjusted unless a tuition adjustment request is approved.

If you decide to drop a course later in the semester, you must do so by the drop deadline for full semester courses or by the mini-course drop deadline, depending on which courses you are taking (refer to the Academic Calendar for dates). Visiting guest students do not receive Drop Vouchers. 

You can learn more about course adds, drops, and withdrawals on the Course Changes webpage.