Missouri State University

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Office of the Registrar 

Web Registration Frequently Asked Questions

Choose a question from a category below to view the answer:

Permission Issues:

Conflicts:

Add/Drop a class:

Warnings:

Other:

How do I register for a course that requires permission?

1.  Create a trial schedule.  From the trial schedule, if the course requires permission, select the link called Request Permission. 
2. After you have submitted your request, you will be able to check on the status of your request by viewing the Permissions option on the My Information system. Although requests may be processed daily, please allow at least five business days for your request to be processed. 

3.  If your permission request is approved and your earliest registration date/time has arrived, you may then register for the class using the "Register for classes" feature on the My Information menu or by registering in person at a registration site. 

Can the instructor or department representative enter a permission request on my behalf for a class that requires permission?

Yes. The instructor of the class or an authorized department representative, typically the secretary or department head, can proactively request and grant a student permission for a class without the student having to submit the request himself or herself.

What do I do if I have permission to enroll in a course that is closed?

At this time, the web registration system cannot be used to register for courses that are closed.  If you have obtained permission to enroll in a closed course (you must have a permission form that is signed and stamped by the department head), we suggest that you do the following:

1. Use the web system to register for all of the open courses you wish to take.

2. Obtain course permission form(s) for the course(s) for which are closed.

3. Visit an authorized registration center in person, complete a "Change of Registration" form, and submit it with your course permission form(s) to the registration clerk.

You also have the option of visiting a registration site to process your entire registration. 

As an undergraduate, how do I register for a graduate level course under senior permission?

At this time, the web registration system cannot be used to register for courses that require permission.  If you wish to enroll in a graduate level course (500 or 600 level) under Senior Permission for Graduate Credit, we suggest that you do the following:

1. Use the web system to register for all of the courses you wish to take that do not require permission.

2. Obtain a senior permission form from the department of your major or the Graduate College Office (Carrington 306).

3. Secure signatures on the form from the head of the department through which the class is offered and the dean of the Graduate College.

4. Take the form to the Office of the Registrar, Carrington Hall room 320, in person, complete a "Change of Registration" form, and submit it with your senior permission form(s) to the registration clerk.

You also have the option of visiting an authorized registration center in person to process your entire registration.

If I am in an accelerated master's program, how do I register for a graduate level course?

At this time, the web registration system cannot be used by an undergraduate student to register for courses for graduate credit.  If you are in an accelerated master's program and wish to enroll in a course (600 level) for Mixed Credit, we suggest that you do the following:

1.  Use the web system to register for all of the courses you wish to take that do not require permission or approval for graduate credit.

2.  Obtain a "Mixed Credit" form from your graduate advisor, the department head of your major, or the Graduate College Office.

3.  Secure signatures on the form from your graduate advisor, the department head of your major, and the dean of the Graduate College.

4.  Take the form to the Office of the Registrar, Carrington Hall, room 320 in person, complete a "Change of Registration" form, and submit it with your mixed credit form(s) to the registration clerk.

You also have the option of visiting an authorized registration center in person to process your entire registration.

How do I register for courses that exceed the maximum number of hours allowed for my classification?

At this time, you cannot use the web registration system to register for classes that would exceed the maximum allowed for your classification.  If you have been given permission by your academic dean for an overload, then we suggest that you do the following.

1.  Use the web system to register for courses up to the maximum allowable for your classification.

2.  Take your overload permit to an authorized registration center in person, complete a "Change of Registration" form including the additional course(s), and submit it to the clerk with your overload permission.

You also have the option of visiting an authorized registration center in person to process your entire registration.

Why am I receiving an error message when trying to register for a lab/lecture course?

The registration system is programmed to detect which lab/lecture sections are supposed to be scheduled together.  Therefore, if you try to register for the wrong combination of sections or try to register for a lab only or a lecture only, you will be blocked.  You will be required to register in the correct lab/lecture combination, as noted in the section comment on the class schedule.  If you have any questions, please call the Office of the Registrar at 836-5520.

What happens if I use this system to register and then decide that I need to change my registration?

You may also change your registration online using the "Change of schedule" option on the My Information menu.

What if I have questions that are not included here?

Please call the Office of the Registrar at 836-5520 or send an email to registrar@missouristate.edu. A staff member will be available Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm, except for Thursdays, when we are open from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

What does the message "it is suggested that you also enroll in..." mean?

If this message appears for a section for which you are trying to register, then you must also register for a companion section.  The most typical occurrence of this message is for courses that require concurrent enrollment.  Some departments enforce the concurrent enrollment, while others do not. Therefore, if you do not register for the companion section as noted in the error message, the department may choose to drop you from the section you did enroll in.

Why can I register for a schedule that includes time conflicts?

In a very limited number of cases, students find it necessary to register for a schedule that includes time conflicts.  For example, while it occurs rarely, departments do in some cases purposefully schedule courses that overlap and are designed to be taken concurrently.  And, in some cases, if the overlap is minimal, students may make arrangements with instructors to leave one class early to take another class that they must have during the same semester.  While the system will allow you to register for time conflicts, you should only do so if you have a valid reason and your instructors are aware. 

If you are registered for first and second block classes during the same time period (for example, you have both a first and second block course that meets from 10 to 10:50 a.m. on MWF), it will show as a conflict on the grid because conflicts are identified by time only, not by date.

The grid will not show time conflicts for intersession courses.

Why can I register for classes for which I do not meet prerequisites?

The registration system is not designed to verify that students meet prerequisites for courses.  If you are registering for courses that have prerequisites, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have met them.  If you have questions regarding prerequisites or possible exceptions to prerequisites for a given course, you are encouraged to contact the office of the department that offers the course.  If you do not meet the prerequisite for a course, you may be dropped from the course by the department or the instructor.  This may occur as late as the first week of classes.

What does an intersession overload mean?

The maximum number of credit hours that you may take during the summer (May/June) and fall (August) intersession period is two.  (Students who elect to enroll in one of the limited number of three credit hour summer or fall intersession courses do not need special permission but may not take another intersession course during that period.) The maximum number of credit hours you may take during the winter intersession (January) is one.

If you wish to seek an exception to this requirement, then you should contact the Director of Intersession and Special Credit Programs, Carrington Hall, room 422, 836-4126.

Can I be put on a waiting list for a course?

Some departments maintain waiting lists for selected courses.  You may wish to contact the office of the department that offers the class to determine if a waiting list is available.

What does the message "reserved for students majoring in a specific department" mean?

Some courses are available only to students majoring in a specific department (or departments).  If you attempt to register for a course and get this message, then the department of your declared major is not on the list of eligible departments for the class.  Contact the office of the department that offers the class for additional information.

How do I drop a class?

Check the box next to the class on your "Add/Drop" page, click "Next," then click "Finish."  You have not changed your schedule until you receive a page labeled "Schedule Confirmation and Invoice."

How do I add a class?

Enter the course code, course number, and section number in the first available row of the "working schedule" column, click "Next," then click "Finish."  You have not changed your schedule until you receive a page labeled "Schedule Confirmation and Invoice."

How do I add a class after the Change of Schedule Period (first week of classes)?

After the first week of classes, adds and initial registrations must be completed in person at a registration site.  If you are adding a full-semester or first-block course, you must first obtain department approval (stamp and signature on the Registration/Change of Schedule Form)

What does it mean if a class is set to not allow enrollment

For the purposes of managing course enrollment, departments may occasionally designate sections for which enrollments are not allowed.  In some cases, these courses may be opened at a later date.  In others, the department may find it necessary to delete the course.

Why can't I drop all of my classes?

Dropping all of your classes constitutes a withdrawal which requires steps that cannot currently be completed online.  Please refer to the withdrawal procedure for information on the steps you should take.

What if I have a temporary clearance of an encumbrance from my department?

A Student with a Temporary Clearance to Registrar Form may register in person at any authorized registration site.  If the student is eligible to use web registration, he or she may bring the Temporary Clearance Form to the Office of the Registrar, Carrington Hall, room  320.  The encumbrance will be removed from the student's record thereby allowing the student to use web registration.

Am I eligible to use web registration?

  • Check your status in My information/registration status

  • You must meet the following criteria:
    - Your status is admitted or continuing
    - You have an online advisor release if needed
    - You have no encumbrances
    - You are not in overload status

  • Exceptions : Due to advising constraints and to ensure compliance with university policies intercollegiate athletes, and precollege (high school dual enrollment) students will not be able to use Web Registration.  Entering first-time freshmen will be able to use web registration ONLY with their advisor at their SOAR session on campus.

How do I find the Online Contracts Center referred to in the Registration Status page?

The Online Contracts Center must be reached either through the Registration Status page prior to the Registering or through the Register for Classes page at the time of registration.  You must be signed on.  The contracts page is not available to a third party such as an advisor.

If you have questions not listed here or if you experience problems using the web registration system, you may call the Office of the Registrar at 836-5520 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.