Course Registration
The University Registrar's Office manages the registration process and related activities for all CMU students. Our goal is that our online services make these processes easy and secure. The registration process may be completed in Student Information Online (SIO) in four easy steps.
Students can use the 4 Easy Steps to Registration webpage to find step-by-step instructions for course registration at CMU, including a pre-registration checklist, how to plan and check course schedules, share with schedules with advisors, confirm registration start time, and register for courses.
About Course Registration
Start Time Assignments
Start time assignments (day and time you are scheduled to register) are viewable on your Registration or Plan Schedule page within Student Information Online (SIO). Detailed information about start time assignments for undergraduate, masters, and PhD students is available on the Start Time Assignments webpage.
Class Level & Enrollment Status
Undergraduate students are considered full time if registered for 36 or more units. Students should be sure to confirm their class level and enrollment status in SIO prior to registering.
Enrollment Eligibility
Students must be registered for courses by the tenth day of classes or they will be administratively withdrawn for the semester. Any student who has been administratively withdrawn in error should immediately contact their academic advisor.
Course Availability
Students must meet course pre- and co-requisites when registering, and are subject to course space availability. The university is committed to ensuring that each degree candidate has access to a normal course load before permitting other students to register for a greater than normal number of units.
Course Overload
A normal course load is the total number of units required for the degree divided by the expected number of semesters to complete the degree. Students who wish to register for more than 12 units beyond their program's normal load must consult with and receive academic advisor approval. Important considerations about course overload and instructions for making a request are available on the Course Overload webpage.
Course Time Conflicts
Students are discouraged from planning schedules in which course time conflicts exist. For exceptional circumstances, however, students may register for, or add, courses with time conflicts. Information about managing course time conflicts is available on the 4 Easy Steps to Registration webpage.
Cross-Registration (PCHE)
Full-time Carnegie Mellon students may take courses for credit through the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE). The purpose is to provide opportunities for enriched educational programs by permitting full-time paying undergraduate and graduate students to cross-register for one course per semester. Information about cross-registration is available on the PCHE webpage.
Other Registration Statuses
Visiting/Non-Degree
Visiting/non-degree students attend classes at Carnegie Mellon but have not been admitted into specific degree-granting programs. Most students enrolled as visiting/non-degree (VND) register themselves via SIO but do not have registration start time assignments. View detailed information about enrolling as a VND student and registration.
Certificate Program
Students earning certificates at Carnegie Mellon enroll in specific certificate granting programs within individual schools or colleges. Some register themselves via SIO while others will be registered by their departments. View the Certificate Programs webpage for detailed information.
Summer & Pre-College
A wide variety of courses and programs are offered during the summer for current students trying to stay on track, visiting students wanting to take a course while they're home for the summer, high school students looking to explore pre-college programs, or those interested in learning more about a particular field. Summer courses can help students reach their educational goals no matter where they are in their academic career.
Study Abroad
There are several processes that the University Registrar's Office and The HUB assist students with related to Study Abroad registration; however, students interested in studying abroad should visit the Office of International Education's Study Abroad website for detailed information.