Students must be registered for every semester or summer term during which a degree requirement is completed or University facilities are used unless on an official leave of absence.  When finishing a degree, students must be registered in the term in which the final degree requirements are completed; PhD and MFA students must also be registered in the preceding term.

Students are expected to register for a minimum of one course (at least 2 units) or Continuing Student Status each fall and spring term until all degree requirements have been completed.  Candidates for admission may not register until they receive a formal statement of acceptance.  A new graduate student usually completes registration during the week prior to the beginning of classes after arriving on campus.  Incoming students who do not provide proof of their previous degrees will not be permitted to register in their second term.

Graduate students should consult their department or program for detailed instructions concerning registration and additionally consult the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Policy for Adding or Dropping Courses.  When registering, a student who, in any preceding term, failed to register and had 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 terms 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 the deadlines posted on the PhD/MFA Registration website:

Students must be registered before they can start working (as a teaching or research fellow for example) or receive any non-service training fellowship.  It is not possible to issue any kind of stipend payment to a student who is not registered! 

The GRS registration deadlines are:

  • Mid-May for the fall semester
  • Mid-November for the spring semester
  • Mid March for the summer session

The deadline for payment/settlement of a student’s account can be found on the Student Accounting Services website. 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.