PhD and MFA Fall Registration

Most GRS departments and programs will register incoming students during the two weeks prior to the start of the fall semester, and will communicate times for advising and registration prior to August 1st. Incoming students should contact their program or department with any questions about specific registration procedures.

To be eligible to register, each student must be compliant with the University. Please see the University Registrar’s website for compliance requirements. Students can check their compliance status under the Personal Tab on the StudentLink.

All graduate students will be required to complete the Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training. Students only need to complete the training once, unless they are hired as staff, or their program changes from non-degree to degree seeking. Graduate students that have any questions specific to this training should direct them to wellcourses@bu.edu.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Boston University requires that students receive an influenza vaccine (flu shot). The flu shot requirement applies to all full-time students under 30 years of age, and all full- and part-time clinical and health science students. At BU, students will become non-compliant if they do not receive and/or upload proof of having received the flu shot.

Student Health Services is hosting an immunization clinic and flu clinics throughout the semester. Please see their calendar for the scheduled days.

Each student must have a zero balance on their student account before they can register for the upcoming semester.

Web Registration (WebReg) is available to all students registering for credits.

• MyBU Student Portal is available to all students registering for credits.
  • • Register for Fall courses using MyBU Student Portal.
    • Click the Fall 2025 Registration Planning tile on the MyBU Student Homepage.
    • Please review this helpful registration guide on the SIS renewal website.
    • If registering for less than 12 credits, proceed to the instructions under the Full-Time Student Status section of this page.

Students registering for 12-18 credits are considered full-time by credits.

Students who are not registering for credit but are continuing to make progress toward their degree should register for Continuing Study Status by filling out the Continuing Study and Certified Full-Time Status form and submitting it to the GRS Office. There are two types of Continuing Study Status in GRS:

• • • Continuing Study, Full-Time Status: Students who have completed all course or credit requirements but are otherwise engaged in full-time progress towards the degree. Full-time employees of the University and those with other full-time outside employment are not eligible for this status.
    • Continuing Study, Part-Time Status: Students who have completed all course or credit requirements but are otherwise engaged in part-time progress towards the degree.

Certified Full-Time Status: If a PhD student is enrolled for less than 12 credits, and is receiving a full stipend, then the student is automatically considered to have full-time status. No further registration paperwork is necessary. All PhD students who are not receiving a full stipend who are registered for less than 12 credits but who are engaged in full-time progress toward their degree must complete the Continuing Study and Certified Full-Time Status form and file it with the GRS office in order to be considered a full-time student.

Please see the GRS Bulletin for policies on auditing courses.

To officially audit a course, students should complete the Class Adjustment form. On the line that says “Action”, please write “Audit”.

Details regarding the fall semester bill should be available on the MyBU Student Portal. Students who have been awarded a fellowship or scholarship will see their scholarship award appear on their student accounts, which can be viewed via the MyBU Student Portal. If the scholarship is not accurately reflected, please contact the GRS Financial Aid Office.

Students must meet the payment deadlines to avoid late fees.