Registration

University Policy

An officially registered student is one who is registered for classes and who has settled all charges with Student Accounting Services.

Candidates for admission to degree programs may not register until they receive a formal statement of acceptance. Students accepted to the University register according to instructions provided by their school or college.

Continuing students register for courses in October or November for the spring semester and March or April for the fall semester. Eligible continuing students may access the Student Link (a Web-based system) to register for courses for the semester.

The student’s account is charged tuition and fees based on the student’s status and class selection. Students can view their student account and make payment online using the Student Link. Students may also give access to their student account details to their parents, guardian, or other third party by selecting the “Share-a-view” feature on the Student Link and following the instructions.

Official registration is complete when Student Accounting Services receives full payment. A late payment fee may be assessed to those students who do not complete official registration by August 5, 2011, for Fall 2011, and December 16, 2011, for Spring 2012.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Policy

Registration

An officially registered student is one who has selected courses by web registration (Web Reg) or submitted course selections on a registration form and who has paid or settled all charges.

Candidates for admission may not register until they receive a formal statement of acceptance. Registration is conducted under the direction of the University Registrar. Graduate students should consult the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences office, 705 Commonwealth Avenue, for detailed instructions concerning the procedure to be followed during the announced registration period. Students must be registered for any regular semester or Summer Term during which a degree requirement is completed or University facilities are used.

A student who, in any semester, fails to register and has not been granted an official leave of absence will be considered a continuing student and will be charged the usual fee for such status. Failure to register for two consecutive regular semesters without having been granted an authorized leave of absence may result in termination of degree status.

Registration Deadlines

A student in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences should complete the course selection process by May for the fall semester and December for the spring semester. The deadline for payment/settlement of a student’s account appears in The Guide, published by Student Accounting Services. A new graduate student usually completes registration during the week prior to the beginning of classes. Late fees are charged to students who do not register or settle their tuition account during the official period. Students may not register later than one week after the start of classes without written approval from their school or college. Students who are not registered by the deadline will have their financial assistance offers revoked.

Full-Time Students

By Enrollment

A student enrolled in three to four-and-a-half courses (12 to 18 credits) will be considered full-time and will be charged full tuition and fees. A student may register for more than four courses (16 credits) only with approval of the Committee on Academic Standards.

By Certification

A student registered for fewer than three courses or 12 credits (a minimum of one course must be taken until all coursework requirements have been completed) but engaged otherwise in full-time study, research, or teaching pertinent to the completion of degree requirements or to gaining competence in the field of study, may be certified as a full-time student. Such a student must pay tuition on a per-course basis and full-time fees. A student desiring full-time certification must submit to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, during the official registration period, a completed full time certification form approved by the advisor and department chairman or director of graduate studies.

As Teaching Fellows and Research Assistants

Students holding regular appointments as teaching fellows or research assistants are considered full time if they are enrolled in two or more courses. Teaching fellows or research assistants taking fewer than two courses may, if appropriate, be designated as full-time by certification.

Part-Time Students

All part-time students who are candidates for degrees must register each regular semester for no less than one semester course until all departmental course requirements are completed. Continuing students (see below) may register for less than one 4-credit course.

Continuing Student Status

Master’s and PhD candidates who have completed all departmental course requirements must register each subsequent regular semester for continuing student status until all requirements for the degree have been completed. Payment of the Continuing Student Fee each semester entitles the student to appropriate access to and use of the libraries, research laboratories, academic staff, and other academic facilities of the University for the purpose of completing such requirements as examinations, research, and thesis or dissertation work. Continuing students who are PhD candidates are entitled to officially audit one course each semester without further tuition charge. Language, physical education, and studio courses and courses with laboratories may not be audited.

Registration and payment of regular tuition and fees for at least one course exempts the student from the Continuing Student Fee. Continuing students may also qualify as full time according to the above regulations. Normal part- and full-time fees are also applicable.