How to Register for Classes

Planning Your Academic Journey at TUOS

Registration for classes at The University of Ontological Science represents more than a mere administrative process—it is an opportunity to thoughtfully design your intellectual path and engage with the transformative educational experience that defines TUOS. This guide will walk you through each step of the registration process, from preparation to confirmation, ensuring you can navigate the system with confidence and purpose.

Before Registration: Academic Planning

Meet with Your Academic Advisor

Before registration opens, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to:

  • Review your degree progress and requirements
  • Discuss your academic goals and interests
  • Identify potential courses that align with your degree plan
  • Address any prerequisites or special permissions needed
  • Create a balanced course load appropriate for your circumstances

Schedule an Advising Appointment

Prepare Your Course Selection

  1. Review the Course Catalog: Explore the online course catalog to understand course offerings, prerequisites, and content.

  2. Check Your Degree Audit: Access your degree audit through the Student Portal to identify remaining requirements.

  3. Create a Primary Schedule: Select your preferred courses and sections.

  4. Develop Alternatives: Identify backup courses in case your first choices are unavailable.

  5. Note Important Course Information:

    • Course Reference Numbers (CRNs)
    • Meeting times and locations
    • Prerequisites and corequisites
    • Instructor information
    • Course delivery method (in-person, online, hybrid)

Clear Registration Holds

Check your account for potential registration holds:

  • Outstanding tuition or fees
  • Missing required documents (immunization records, etc.)
  • Academic probation restrictions
  • Judicial holds
  • Incomplete prerequisites

View and Resolve Account Holds

Registration Timeline

Student Classification Registration Opens
Graduate Students November 1 (Spring) / April 1 (Fall)
Seniors (90+ credits) November 3 (Spring) / April 3 (Fall)
Juniors (60-89 credits) November 5 (Spring) / April 5 (Fall)
Sophomores (30-59 credits) November 8 (Spring) / April 8 (Fall)
Freshmen (0-29 credits) November 10 (Spring) / April 10 (Fall)
New Students During Orientation

Registration opens at 7:00 AM on the designated days.

Key Registration Deadlines

  • Early Registration Period: 3-4 weeks prior to end of current term
  • Open Registration: Continues through first week of classes
  • Add/Drop Period: First week of classes (100% refund)
  • Late Add Period (with permission): Second week of classes
  • Course Withdrawal Deadline: End of tenth week of classes

View Complete Academic Calendar

Registration Process

Step 1: Access the Registration System

  1. Log in to the TUOS Student Portal using your university credentials
  2. Navigate to “Academic Services”
  3. Select “Course Registration”
  4. Review your assigned registration time

Step 2: Search and Select Courses

  1. Use the “Course Search” function to find available courses
  2. Filter by:
    • Department/subject
    • Course level
    • Meeting days/times
    • Instructor
    • Course type (lecture, seminar, lab)
    • Delivery method
    • General education attributes
  3. Review course details, including:
    • Available seats
    • Waitlist status
    • Prerequisites
    • Course description
    • Syllabus (when available)

Step 3: Register for Classes

Express Registration (Recommended)

  1. Enter the CRNs for your selected courses in the provided fields
  2. Click “Submit Changes”
  3. Review registration status messages for each course

Browse and Register Method

  1. Search for courses by subject
  2. Select the checkbox next to desired sections
  3. Click “Register” at bottom of page
  4. Review confirmation page

Step 4: Confirm Your Schedule

  1. View your complete schedule in calendar format
  2. Verify meeting times, locations, and instructors
  3. Check for schedule conflicts
  4. Print or save a copy of your confirmed schedule

Step 5: Pay Tuition and Fees

Registration is not complete until financial obligations are satisfied:

  1. Review your bill in the Student Portal
  2. Select payment method
  3. Submit payment by the deadline (typically 2 weeks before classes begin)
  4. Confirm receipt of payment

View Tuition Payment Options

Special Registration Situations

Waitlisted Courses

If a course is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist:

  1. Attempt to register normally
  2. When prompted with the “closed course” notification, select “Add to Waitlist”
  3. Monitor your university email daily for waitlist notifications
  4. If offered a seat, you must register within 24 hours or lose your place

Waitlist Position Guidelines:

  • Positions 1-5: Very likely to get a seat
  • Positions 6-10: Moderately likely to get a seat
  • Positions 11+: Less likely to get a seat

Permission-Required Courses

Some courses require instructor or departmental permission:

  1. Identify the permission requirement in the course listing
  2. Complete the Course Permission Request Form
  3. Submit the form to the appropriate instructor or department
  4. Once approved, you will receive a permission code
  5. Enter the permission code when registering for the course

Independent Study Registration

To register for independent study:

  1. Identify a faculty sponsor
  2. Develop a study proposal and timeline
  3. Complete the Independent Study Agreement Form
  4. Obtain signatures from your faculty sponsor and department chair
  5. Submit the completed form to the Registrar’s Office
  6. Once processed, the Registrar will manually register you

Cross-Listed Courses

Courses offered under multiple departments require you to choose which department’s offering to register for:

  • The content is identical regardless of which listing you choose
  • Select the department that best aligns with your program requirements
  • Consult with your advisor if unsure which designation to choose

Registration Tools and Resources

Degree Planning Worksheet

Download our Degree Planning Worksheet (PDF) to map out your course selection before registration.

Schedule Builder

Use the interactive Schedule Builder tool to create conflict-free timetables with visual calendar representation.

Course Requirement Checker

The Requirement Checker tool allows you to see how potential courses satisfy specific degree requirements before registering.

Mobile Registration

Download the TUOS Mobile App for on-the-go registration access and status updates.

After Registration

Textbooks and Materials

  1. View required textbooks and materials through the “My Schedule” section of the Student Portal
  2. Purchase materials through the University Bookstore or your preferred retailer
  3. Access course reading lists through the Library’s Course Reserves

Canvas Access

Registered courses typically appear in Canvas (our learning management system) 1-2 weeks before the term begins. Use this time to:

  • Review the syllabus
  • Note important deadlines
  • Complete any pre-course assessments or readings
  • Introduce yourself in discussion forums (if available)

Access Canvas

Schedule Adjustments

If you need to adjust your schedule after registration:

  • Add/Drop Period: Make changes through the registration system without penalty
  • Late Add: Requires instructor permission after the first week
  • Course Withdrawal: Results in a “W” grade after the add/drop period
  • Section Changes: May be possible for the same course with different meeting times

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I forget my registration time?
A: Your specific registration time is displayed in the Student Portal under “Registration Status.” You can register any time after your assigned time, but not before.

Q: How many credits should I take each semester?
A: Full-time undergraduate students typically take 15-18 credits per semester. Graduate students typically take 9-12 credits. Your advisor can help determine the appropriate course load based on your individual circumstances.

Q: What happens if all my preferred courses are full?
A: Utilize your pre-planned alternatives, join waitlists where available, and consult with your advisor about other options that fulfill your requirements. Consider exploring new subjects that might expand your intellectual horizons.

Q: Can I register if I have an outstanding balance?
A: Generally, no. Outstanding balances typically generate a financial hold that prevents registration. Contact Student Financial Services to resolve any balance issues before your registration period.

Q: How do I register for a course that has a time conflict with another course?
A: Time conflicts cannot be resolved through the online registration system. If absolutely necessary, you must obtain permission from both instructors using the Schedule Conflict Resolution Form and submit it to the Registrar.

Registration Assistance

In-Person Help

Registration Assistance Center
Academic Building, Room 110
Staffed with extended hours during registration periods

Virtual Support

Live Chat Assistance
Available Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Access Live Chat

Technical Support

IT Help Desk
techsupport@tuos.edu
(555) 123-4569
Submit a Support Ticket

Academic Advising

Advising Center
Wisdom Hall, Room 105
advising@tuos.edu
(555) 123-4570

Registration Workshops

Throughout the pre-registration period, TUOS offers workshops to help you navigate the registration process:

  • Registration Readiness: Overview of the registration system and process
  • Degree Planning: Strategies for efficient degree completion
  • Elective Selection: Making the most of your elective options
  • General Education Navigation: Understanding and fulfilling core requirements

View Workshop Schedule and Register

At TUOS, we view course registration as an integral part of your intellectual journey—a moment to reflect on your academic path and make mindful choices about your educational experience. The courses you select are not merely requirements to fulfill, but opportunities to engage with profound questions about knowledge, existence, and the human experience. We encourage you to approach registration with purpose and openness to the transformative potential of each course you choose.