Registration Restrictions

As you plan your class schedule for each quarter, you'll need to make sure that you're qualified to enroll in the courses you select. This website discusses entry (add) codes, prerequisites, cancellation, repeating a class, registration periods, credits limits, registration holds, and time conflicts.

Entry (Add) Codes

Courses marked with a ">" in front of the schedule line number in the Time Schedule require an entry code (sometimes called an add code) for registration.

Entry codes are used when there is a requirement for the course that for some reason can't be programmed into the computer, or when the department wants to talk to each student to make sure your background is appropriate for the course. The Time Schedule often tells you where to request an entry code. If the information isn't there, contact the department adviser or the instructor.

Entry codes are often required only in certain registration periods. The notation ENTRY CODE PD 3, for example, means that entry codes are required in Period 3, which is the first week of the quarter, but not in Periods 1 and 2 when most registration occurs. After the first week of the quarter, all courses require entry codes. For more about registration periods, see below.

Prerequisites

Many UW courses have prerequisites, courses that must be completed before the course in question. Any prerequisites are listed in the course descriptions in the Course Descriptions.

Courses requiring prerequisites are indicated with the word "Prerequisites" in the title line in the Time Schedule. When you try to register for a course, the computer checks to see if you have completed the prerequisite or have it in progress. If the computer can't locate the prerequisite in your record, it won't allow you to register for the course.

Sometimes you may actually have the prerequisite for a course but the computer doesn't know it — for example, if you took the prerequisite at another college and the transfer credit hasn't yet been posted, or if the course was posted as "X credit" rather than an equivalent UW course. In such a case, contact the department adviser.

Cancellation

Some courses are designated in the Time Schedule with "Prerequisite (cancellation in effect)." If you have the prerequisite for such a course in progress when you register, the computer checks at the end of the quarter to make sure you successfully completed the prerequisite. If not, your registration for the course is cancelled and you're notified by email. Courses with cancellation in effect usually require a minimum grade in the prerequisite. This grade is included in the prerequisite statement in the online Course Descriptions.

Repeating a Class

Aside from courses that are designed to be repeated (e.g., independent study, research) you may repeat a course only once, with departmental permission. This applies to all courses for which you have received any numerical grade (including 0.0), I, CR/NC, or S/NS.

Consequently, you may find yourself unable to register for a course you’ve taken before. In practice, the departmental permission mentioned above will be a registration period restriction (see below), an entry code restriction (see above), or no restriction at all.

In order to repeat a course again (i.e., take it a third time), you must contact the department adviser for permission.

Registration Periods

Registration periods (sometimes abbreviated "Pd." or "PD" in the Time Schedule) are used to control when certain groups of students can register for certain classes. Period 1 is the time when currently enrolled students register, Period 2 is the time when new students register, and Period 3 is the first week of classes. The dates for these periods each quarter can be found in the Academic Calendar.

Departments use registration periods either to allow declared majors to register for their classes before students outside the major, or to keep students from adding the course after the quarter has begun. If there's a registration period restriction on a class you want to take, make sure you understand it so you can get into the class as soon as you're eligible. The basic rule: restrictions are in effect only for the Period that is noted.

If a class has a registration period restriction, "Restr" will appear to the left of the course listing in the Time Schedule. To find out what the restrictions are, click on the 5-digit Schedule Line Number (SLN) for that class; the restrictions will be listed in the "Notes" section. For example:

    PSYCH MAJORS ONLY (PD.1)

means you can sign up for the class during Period 1 only if you have already applied and been admitted to the psychology major; if not, you have to wait. Since there are no restrictions for Periods 2 or 3, you can register for this course beginning on the first day of Period 2.

Another example:

    ADD CODE REQUIRED (PD.3)

In this example, there are no restrictions until Period 3, which means you can sign up for it without an add code anytime before the first day of class.

Just so you know, sometimes these restrictions get pretty complicated. For example:

    NO FRESHMEN (PD.1)
    ONLY MAJORS FROM ENGR and PRENGR (PD.1&2)
    ADD CODE REQUIRED (PD.3)

So...if you are a declared engineering or pre-engineering student and you aren't a freshman, no problem-just sign up! If you are a declared engineering or pre-engineering student and you are a freshman, you have to wait until Period 2 to register for this class. If you wait until Period 3, anyone can register for this class, but you need to get an add code first.

Credit Limits

Until the first day of class (that is, Period 3), you can register for only 19 credits. After that you can add additional credits up to a maximum of 30 credits per quarter.

The UW offers some credit courses on a "self-sustaining" basis, which means that the course is not covered by your regular tuition. You pay a separate fee for the course that covers the entire cost of its instruction. You can take these courses in addition to the regular credit limits. These courses include Online Learning, UW Extension, English Language (ESL) courses (ENGL 100-105), and Early Fall Start.

For some suggestions on how to determine what number of credits is appropriate course load for you, see Course Load.

Registration Holds

In several situations your registration may be blocked. If you have a registration hold, there is a link from Web Registration where you can find out which office has placed the hold. Below are some of the more common reasons:

• 105-CREDIT RULE: You must declare a major by the time you have earned 105 credits or a hold will be placed on your registration until you either: 1) declare a major, or 2) meet with an adviser and receive a premajor extension. You will be granted a premajor extension if your adviser decides that you are pursuing a reasonable goal, are taking appropriate courses and other steps toward your intended major, and have a good chance of gaining admission to the major. The hold is placed on when 105 or more credits have been completed. Transfer students who are admitted to the University with 105 or more credits are expected to declare a major before their second quarter at the UW, or obtain an extension from an adviser. For more information visit the Registrar's website.
• 210-CREDIT RULE: If you have not graduated by the time you earn 210 credits, a hold will be placed on your registration until you and your department adviser submit a petition outlining your plan to graduate within two quarters. The plan must be approved by your college. Fore mone information visit the Registrar's website.
• STUDENT ACCOUNTS: If you owe money to the UW for tuition, late registration fees, etc., your registration will usually be blocked until the situation is resolved.
• LIBRARY FINES: Return your library materials or pay the consequences!
• DEPARTMENTS: Some departments will block your registration if you have neglected to return a lab key or other equipment.
• IMMUNIZATION: All enrolled matriculated students, and all students living in UW residence halls or single-student apartments, are required to provide proof of measles (rubeola) immunity. Students will not be allowed to register for any classes until the Hall Health Primary Care Center confirms that they have satisfied this requirement.

Time Conflicts

Web Registration will not allow you to register for two courses that meet at the same time or for courses with overlapping meeting times. If you want to add a course that conflicts with another, you must add the second class in person at the Registration Office, 225 Schmitz Hall.

• If the overlap is one hour or less per week, obtain the verbal approval of both instructors. Register for one course online, then register for the second course in person at the Registration Office, 225 Schmitz Hall.
• If the overlap is more than one hour per week, you must obtain the signatures of both instructors on a Registration Transactions Form(PDF: 142K). Register for one course online, then present the signed form at the Registration Office, 225 Schmitz Hall.