Online Principles of Economics
Gain a firm grasp of the theories and tools of economics, finance, and the functioning of the international economic system.
The 12-week Online Principles of Economics (OPE) is a non-credit course that covers introductory micro- and macroeconomics and can be used to complete the school's two-year Master of Arts in International Relations economics admissions requirement. It can also be taken as a prerequisite to take the school’s International Economics courses.
Prior to starting the course, all students are required to complete an online orientation. The orientation is a self-paced mini-course that should take under an hour to complete. You can complete it at any time within the orientation window. Upon successful completion of the orientation students will then gain access to the full OPE course.
The OPE course is organized into weekly modules with each lecture recorded on a virtual whiteboard. Each weekly module contains lectures, a problem set, a practice quiz, and a short graded quiz. Students are required to submit assignments on a weekly basis. A typical week in the OPE course will involve the following:
- A set of 6-8 video lectures, averaging 10-12 minutes in length
- Textbook readings selected to support and supplement the lectures
- Practice on both short-answer quizzes and more substantive conceptual problems
- A final assessment for each module
Download Syllabus
How to Apply
Fall 2020 OPE Dates
Deadline to Apply: September 11
- Mandatory online orientation: September 16-September 20
- Course dates: September 21-December 14
Spring 2021 OPE Dates
Deadline to Apply: January 22
- Mandatory online orientation: January 27-January 31
- Course dates: February 1-April 26
Summer 2021* OPE Dates
*Open only to admitted Johns Hopkins SAIS degree students. Non-degree students will be able to enroll in the fall 2021 course when it opens.
Washington DC Students
Deadline to Register: April 26
- Mandatory online orientation: April 28-May 2
- Course dates: May 3-July 26
SAIS Europe Students
Deadline to Register: May 10
- Mandatory online orientation: May 12-May 16
- Course dates: May 17-August 9
Tuition & Academic Policies
The cost of tuition for fall, spring, or summer Online Principles of Economics course is $1,500. Tuition for this course is non-refundable once orientation begins.
Online Principles of Economics is a non-credit course and will not appear on a Johns Hopkins SAIS transcript. In place of a transcript, you will receive a letter of completion on school letterhead verifying your enrollment and final grade in the course. If you are taking this course in order to meet the entry requirements for a degree, you must receive a B- or higher in order to meet that requirement.
The last day to withdraw from the course without a failing grade will be after the third week of the course. No tuition will be refunded and a grade of W (withdraw) will be recorded for the course.