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 economics entrance requirement. It can also be taken as a prerequisite to take the intermediate Microeconomics and/or Macroeconomics courses.
OPE 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
Summer 2020 OPE Dates*
*For admitted degree students only
Section 1 (Washington DC admitted degree students)
Deadline to Apply: April 27
- Mandatory online orientation: April 29-May 3
- Course dates: May 4-July 22
Section 2 (SAIS Europe admitted degree students)
Deadline to Apply: May 11
- Mandatory online orientation: May 13-May 17
- Course dates: May 18-August 10
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.