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Creating Your Schedule

This is the first time I am making my own schedule--what should I do?

As you know, the Registrar's Office handles scheduling during a student's first semester. In subsequent semesters you will need to work closely with your advisor to determine the most appropriate course schedule, but you will have many more choices and more input. Your advisor will continue to urge you to meet Core/Liberal Studies requirements and major requirements, but you should become increasingly able to satisfy your other interests by taking elective courses. As you move through your undergraduate career, you will have a better sense of what you ought to take and what you would like to take. Do not hesitate to discuss your interests and plans with your advisor.

In preparing to register for courses for any semester, it is a good idea to create two or three alternative courses with your advisor in case your first choice courses are filled when you attempt to register for them. During the add/drop period a student can request those alternative courses online. Online add/drop will prompt you with a message if you are NOT allowed in the chosen class for various reasons, then allowing you to try an alternate choice. Thus it is evident why a student needs alternative choices.

Why is it that you might not be able to enroll in your first choice courses? To answer this question, it is helpful for you to understand the system of prerequisites and priorities that are part of the registration process:

You may not enroll in a course that has prerequisites listed in the Catalog until you have successfully completed those prerequisites. For example in order to register for Philosophy 300 (ETHICS) in junior year, a freshman must have completed Philosophy 101 (Introduction to Philosophy).

Students who are in sequences such as College Writing I - College Writing II have priority to enroll in the same section of the second course in the sequence. For example, students in Section 111 of College Writing I have priority for Section 111 of College Writing II, but not for Section 112 of that course.

Adult students have priority in registering for evening courses.

Students majoring in a specific discipline have priority in registering for courses offered in that discipline. For example, business majors have priority for business courses.

Students majoring in a discipline have priority in registering for courses required by that major regardless of the discipline. For example, business majors have priority for Macroeconomics, Introduction to Statistics, etc.

Students nearest to graduation, that is, those having the most credits, have priority over those students just beginning their academic careers. For example, a senior has priority over a junior in registering for an elective course because the senior is closer to graduating than the junior.

How Do you Pre-register?

Registration follows the process outlined below:

1. Check your campus mail for registration information and your copy of the Course Listing. Note, the Registrar's Office will only issue one set of materials to each student.
2. Make an appointment with your advisor and use the Advisor Worksheet to plan your semester's courses. Be certain to schedule your appointment early so that you are able to select a time that is convenient for you and your advisor. You do not have to wait until the official "Advisement Week" to make an appointment. Also, be certain to have at least tentative plans for your semester courses before you see your advisor. This will save time and frustration for both of you.
3. Once you have met with your advisor, he will "enable" you. You are now ready to do your pre-registration online. Follow the web registration instructions carefully. Keep in mind you are only requesting courses during pre-registration. Do not expect to be enrolled in all the courses you request.
4. A copy of your semester's schedule will arrive by mail, and be available online. You will also be sent information regarding the online Course Change period, which will allow you an opportunity to adjust your schedule to compensate for courses that you did not qualify for during pre-registration. Students who did not pre-register will need to see their advisor and be enabled to add/drop during course change.

Keep the following points in mind as you prepare to register for courses:

• You can only register for one section of the same course in a single semester. The computer will reject a second section of the same class.
• Some courses listed in the registration materials may not be on the Poughkeepsie campus and/or may require transportation. Undergraduate day courses with section numbers from 111 - 188 and undergraduate evening courses with section numbers from 200 - 230 are held on the Poughkeepsie campus. Other section numbers are held on different Marist extension sites. Horseback riding is offered at the Roseview Stables.
• If you are taking a Physical Education course, be certain to leave plenty of time in your schedule for cooling down, showering and/or getting across campus to your next class from the McCann Center.
• Try to spread class-meeting days throughout the week to avoid fatigue and an overload of preparations for any given class day.
• The normal full-time student carries from 12 to 16 credits per semester. Your full-time tuition charge covers this range of credits. You may attempt to take more than 16 credits in a given semester if you have permission from your advisor. If you wish to enroll in more than 18 credits in a given semester, you must also have permission from The Center for Advising and Academic Services. Be advised that you will be charged by the credit hour for every credit over 16.

If you are closed out of a class or if you decide to change your schedule, you may do so during the add/drop periods that follow pre-registration and take place during the first week of classes in each semester. Bear in mind that you may only register for courses following the procedures developed by the Registrar's Office. Marist does not allow students to register for a course directly with the instructor. Similarly, if you decide to withdraw from a course after the add/drop period, you must obtain the required signature on an official withdrawal form that is available in the Registrar's Office. Pay close attention to published deadlines to avoid serious academic and financial penalties. Marist will make every effort to remind you of the important dates and deadlines, but in the end, it is your responsibility to know the deadlines and to meet them.