{"id":142166,"date":"2019-03-11T18:48:39","date_gmt":"2019-03-11T22:48:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/?page_id=142166"},"modified":"2026-03-06T13:36:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T18:36:43","slug":"reg","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/on-campus-students\/academics\/sph-registrar-faqs\/reg\/","title":{"rendered":"Registration FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How do I register?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Registration will take place on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/student.bu.edu\/mybu\/s\/\">My BU Student Portal<\/a>; There are user guides and videos available: If you have additional questions about registration, read our\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/sph-registrar-faqs\/reg\/\"><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Preparing for Registration (<a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/912639613\">video<\/a>) &amp; (<a href=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/sisrenewal\/files\/__restricted\/entire-bu-community\/Preparing-for-Registration.pdf\">guide<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Navigation for Registration Processes (<a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/912646765\">video<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Managing Registration Error Messages (<a href=\"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/sisrenewal\/files\/2024\/02\/Managing-Registration-Error-Messages-MyBU-Student.pdf\">guide<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We also recommend that you plan ahead and review your <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/program-requirements\/\">program requirements<\/a> before selecting courses for registration.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">When do I register?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Fall 2026 registration opens on Thursday, March 19th at 7:15am. We advise that you register as soon as registration opens.\u00a0 Our office will be open to assist with any questions you may have.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What do I register for?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>You should review our <span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/program-requirements\/\">Program Requirements<\/a><\/span> page so that you\u2019re aware of what you need to take to graduate.\u00a0 Please note overall credit requirements in addition to specific requirements.\u00a0 You should also be in contact with your faculty advisor about your academic plans.\u00a0 We recommend that you use the planner and that you make a backup plan that you will be able to use if you\u2019re not able to register for your most desired schedule.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Why can't I access web registration?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>There are several reasons why you may not have access to web registration.\u00a0 The most common reasons are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You need to navigate to the Holds page to review the holds on your account. You must resolve the Hold with the respective department. Refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/student.bu.edu\/MyBU\/s\/article\/Compliance-FAQs\">Compliance FAQs<\/a>. It is your responsibility to make sure that you stay in compliance to ensure that you have access to registration functions and other University services.<\/li>\n<li><strong>You may be a non-degree student.<\/strong> Students who are non-degree or who are in the Public Health Graduate Certificate are not eligible for web registration.\u00a0 Graduate Certificate students should contact our office at <span><a href=\"mailto:sphregr@bu.edu\">sphregr@bu.edu<\/a><\/span> for assistance with registration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Why can't I register for this course?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>There are several reasons why you may not be able to register for a class.\u00a0 The most common reasons are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The class is full.<\/strong>\u00a0 If there are 0 available seats, then the course is full.\u00a0 You can fill out a waitlist form to add yourself to the waitlist.\u00a0 The waitlist form is available on our <span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/forms\">forms<\/a><\/span> page.\u00a0 Please note that there are no waitlists for core MPH courses.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The class has a waitlist.<\/strong>\u00a0 If it looks like there are available seats but the class has \u201cClass Closed\u201d listed in the notes section, the course has a waitlist.\u00a0 If you have not filled out a waitlist form for the particular course, you should do so as soon as possible.\u00a0 The waitlist form is available on our <span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/forms\">forms<\/a><\/span> page.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The class has reserved seats.<\/strong> There are reserved seats. If you are unable to register for a course that has available seats and it does not say \u201cClass Closed\u201d or \u201cDepartment Consent Required\u201d, it is likely that the remaining seats are reserved.\u00a0 Some programs or certificates reserve seats at the time of registration due to program requirements.\u00a0 Many reserved seats expire 3 weeks after registration opens \u2014you should fill out a waitlist form if you encounter this issue. The waitlist form is available on our <span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/forms\">forms<\/a><\/span> page.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The class is WebReg Restricted. <\/strong>Double-check to see if the course is appropriate for your program.\u00a0 Contact our office at <a href=\"mailto:sphregr@bu.edu\">sphregr@bu.edu<\/a> if you have questions about a WebReg Restricted course.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Where can I find more information about the waitlist process?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Please consult the <span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/sph-registrar-faqs\/waitlist\/\">Waitlist FAQs<\/a><\/span> for waitlist-specific information.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">When is the last day that I can add, drop, switch to audit status, or withdraw from a course?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>General deadlines and information are available on the <span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/academic-calendar\/\">SPH Academic Calendar<\/a><\/span> and our <span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/sph-registrar-faqs\/dropadd-courses\/\">Adjusting Your Schedule<\/a><\/span> page.\u00a0 You should view specific course deadlines on your schedule in the MyBU Student portal: Schedule &gt; click on dots at the end of the course line to view deadlines.\u00a0 Step-by-step instructions on how to view course registration dates are available in the <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2026\/03\/DROPPING-A-COURSE-in-MyBu-3.6.26.pdf\">course drop instructions<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0 Note that many of our registration dates differ from standard University dates.<\/p>\n<p>You must be in <span>compliance with the University&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/reg\/registration\/requirements\/\">Requirements for Registration<\/a><\/span>\u00a0to adjust your schedule (drop or add courses).\u00a0 If you are planning to adjust your schedule, please make sure that you are compliant in advance of any registration deadlines.\u00a0 If you encounter difficulties when attempting to drop or withdraw from a course, it is important that you notify our office immediately from your BU email at <span><a href=\"mailto:sphregr@bu.edu\">sphregr@bu.edu<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How do I switch between full-time and part-time?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/sph-registrar-faqs\/enrollment-status\/\">Enrollment status<\/a><\/span> is based on the number of credits* that you are taking in a semester.\u00a0 If you change your credits, we will change your enrollment status.\u00a0 We make these changes on a weekly basis.\u00a0 If you need us to make the update earlier or if you haven\u2019t seen an update in two weeks, please email us at <span><a href=\"mailto:sphregr@bu.edu\">sphregr@bu.edu<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>*Doctoral students should contact our office with questions on doctoral student status.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What is SPH PH700 Foundations of Public Health and how does registration work for that course?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>SPH PH700 Foundations of Public Health is a foundational course that is required of all SPH students.\u00a0 You will be registered for the course in your first semester and will complete the course prior to starting your first semester.\u00a0 Foundations of Public Health registration is tied to completion of other SPH requirements and students cannot be registered for only SPH PH700 in a semester.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">I\u2019m an incoming MPH student, how do I register for the core courses?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Registration is via the My BU Student Portal&#8211; you will receive an email from our office with instructions and information regarding core registration.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">I\u2019m an MPH student, do I have to be in a certificate to register?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>It is best if you select a certificate prior to registering for any certificate coursework.\u00a0 This will trigger advisor assignment and allow you to make a registration plan with your advisor.\u00a0 There are also classes that are reserved by certificate.\u00a0 If you have not chosen a certificate, it is unlikely that you would be able to register for courses that have reserved seats.\u00a0 If you need to declare or change your certificate, you should use the Certificate Declaration or Change Form on our <span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/forms\">forms<\/a><\/span> page.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How do I register for Career PREP?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/careers\/for-students\/career-prep\/\">Career PREP<\/a> is required for all MPH students.\u00a0 Registration is via the My BU Student Portal, as you would register for any other course.\u00a0 The course number is SPH PH746.\u00a0 At least one Career PREP section runs in every semester (Spring, Summer, Fall).<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">I\u2019m an MPH student, how do I register for my practicum?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Please consult the Career &amp; Practicum Office\u2019s <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/careers\/for-students\/practicum\/\">Practicum<\/a><\/span> page.\u00a0 They also have a <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/careers\/for-students\/practicum\/practicum-faq\/\">Practicum FAQ<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">I\u2019m an MPH student, how do I register for my ILE?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>MPH students take the ILE or Integrative Learning Experience in their last semester.\u00a0 To register for this course, you will need to fill out a graduation application by the <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/graduation\/\">appropriate deadline<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 Once the SPH Registrar\u2019s Office is able to determine that you are on track to complete all remaining degree requirements in the given semester, we will register you for your ILE. You need to resolve any graduation application issues by the ILE registration deadline, which is listed on the <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/academic-calendar\/\">BUSPH Academic Calendar<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 The ILE registration deadline is also listed in the BUSPH registration email and your grad app confirmation email.\u00a0 It is your responsibility to make sure that you check your schedule and ensure that you have been registered for your ILE by the ILE registration deadline. If you have graduation application questions, please consult our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/sph-registrar-faqs\/grad-app\/\">Graduation Application FAQs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Who should I contact if I have additional questions about registration?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>You can contact us at <a href=\"mailto:sphregr@bu.edu\">sphregr@bu.edu<\/a> &#8212; please include your BUID in your email.\u00a0 You can also call us at 617-358-3434 or via Virtual Office hours located on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/advising-and-registration\/registrar-contact\/\">contact information<\/a> page.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13273,"featured_media":0,"parent":142160,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"bu-publication":[],"profile_tax":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142166"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13273"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142166"}],"version-history":[{"count":44,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142166\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":262449,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142166\/revisions\/262449"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"bu-publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-publication?post=142166"},{"taxonomy":"profile_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile_tax?post=142166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}