Registration Requirements Registration Requirements Registration Unit and other registration categories Continuous Registration, Leave of Absence, Withdrawal, and Reinstatement Dropping and adding courses, Registration Timeline and Academic Calendar Transcripts and Certification Immunization Requirements for all students

Registration is the process whereby an eligible student reserves a seat in a particular course or selects an academic registration status. It is accomplished by following the procedures announced in advance of each term’s registration period.

Academic registration status and the Residence Unit

All students (with the exception of Liberal Studies students) must register for an academic status: a whole or fractional Residence Unit (RU) or Extended Residence (ER), or Matriculation and Facilities (M&F). The whole Residence Unit, Extended Residence, and Matriculation and Facilities are considered full-time registration statuses.

Students registered for a full Residence Unit (RU) may enroll in four or more courses per term; those registered for a half RU may enroll in three courses; and those registered for a quarter RU may enroll in one or two courses. 

Full-time registration is determined each term by registration category, not by number of points (except for Liberal Studies students) or number of courses.  A student is registered full-time if he or she is registered for a full RU, Extended Residence or Matriculation and Facilities.  Students registered for a half or quarter RU are considered part-time. 

In 2009-2010, students who are enrolled in more than 18 credit points in a term will be charged an additional $1,116 in tuition for each additional point above 18.

Liberal Studies students: Liberal Studies students register for courses only, not for a registration category.  Twelve or more credit points is considered full-time registration. 

Course Numbering System

1000 and 2000: These are undergraduate-level courses; typically but not always, 1000-level courses are general introductions to a broad field and 2000-level courses are introductions to an area or aspect within a broad disciplinary field.  Introductory and intermediate language courses are typically numbered at the 1000 level.

3000: 3000-level course are advanced undergraduate courses, generally offered either in a seminar or lecture format. Courses at the 3000 level in language departments may involve the study of literature rather than practice in reading, speaking, and so on.

4000: Generally, though not in all departments, graduate students and advanced undergraduates may register for 4000-level courses.

6000 and higher: These are graduate-level courses; some 8000- and 9000-level courses are reserved for Ph.D. students only.

Registering for courses

If students wish to attend courses, they must register for specific courses in accordance with the procedures established for the term in question. Anticipated dates of registration are listed in the Academic Calendar. Any changes in these dates will be announced by the Registrar in advance of the registration period.

While registration is a necessary prerequisite for enrollment in a class, registration alone does not constitute enrollment, nor does registration alone guarantee the right to participate in a class. In some cases, students will need to obtain the approval of the instructor or of a representative of the department that offers a course.

Enrollment is the completion of the registration process and affords the full rights and privileges of student status. Before a student may be certified as enrolled in good standing, he or she must also satisfy administrative obligations such as paying prior term bills and demonstrating compliance with New York State’s public health law requiring immunity from measles, mumps, and rubella and certification regarding Meningococcal Meningitis.

According to University regulations, each person whose registration has been completed will be considered a student of the University during the term for which he or she is registered unless the student’s connection with the University is officially severed by withdrawal or otherwise. No student registered in any school or college of the University shall at the same time be registered in any other school or college, either of Columbia University or of any other institution.

The privileges of the University are not available to any student until he or she has completed registration. A student who is not officially registered for a University course may not attend the course. No student may register after the stated period unless he or she obtains the written consent of the appropriate dean or director.

The University reserves the right to withhold the privilege of registration or any other University privilege from any person with an unpaid debt to the University.