Registration, Advising & Degree Planning

C O N T E N T S

• Advising & Registration Overview
• Planning Your Schedule
• Registering for Planned Course Sections
• Academic Accommodations
• Academic Plans term-by-term recommended course sequence
• Auditing a Course
• Credit Overloads enrolling in more than 18 credits
• Program Progress Tracking
• Delivery Method
• Enrolling as a Visiting Student at a Local Partner Institution Jefferson University & Peirce College
• General Electives
• Graduate Students Registering in Undergraduate Courses
• Independent Study
• Internships, Practicum & Field Experiences
• Off-campus Study
• Pass/Fail Grading Option
• Private Music Lessons
• Registration Appointment Times
• Repeating Courses
• Requisites
• Undergraduate Students Registering in Graduate Courses
• Waitlisting Courses
• Withdrawal from a Course

Advising & Registration Overview

Policy Administrator: Registrar. Last Updated: August 2023

Returning Students

Returning students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registering for an upcoming term to review their degree progress and course plan. These meetings typically occur during two dedicated advising periods, prior to the start of registration, each fall and spring semester.

Students should immediately contact their advisor or the advising center to discuss academic concerns when and if they arise.

1. Review the academic plan for your program & catalog year. Academic plans provide a term-by-term recommend course sequence.
2. Review your Program progress & course plan.
3. Resolve registration or academic record holds . Some holds prevent you from being able to register.
4. Plan your schedule for the upcoming term. Course section schedules are typically available the Friday before the start of the advising period.
5. Schedule to meet with an advisor
6. Review your degree progress and course plan with your advisor.
7. Register for planned course sections on or after your registration appointment time.

Incoming Students

The following outlines the process for incoming student registration, advising, and billing, providing timelines for early and late deposits, including deregistration for non-payment .

Students who deposit before registration for their start term has opened:

• Follow the dates listed in the academic calendar for registration, billing, tuition payment, and deregistration for non-payment . Registration for required courses is completed administratively by the student’s advisor.
• Students meet with their academic advisor before the start of the term to review and customize their schedule.

Students who deposit after registration for their start term has opened:

• Writing pre-placement is coded within one day of deposit. Undergraduate students only.
• Registration for required courses is completed administratively by the student’s advisor within three weeks of deposit.*
• Tuition bills will be generated and posted within one day of registration.
• Tuition payments are due eight weeks after deposit.*
• Deregistration for non-payment   as per the academic calendar.*
• Students meet with their academic advisor before the start of the term to review and customize their schedule.

*Students depositing within eight weeks of the deregistration for non-payment deadline:

• Tuition payment is required before registration will be permitted. 
• Tuition bills will be generated using placeholder billing credits assigned by the Office of the Registrar within one day of deposit. 
• Once payment has been received students will be administratively registered within 1-2 weeks, sooner as the start of the term approaches. 

Planning Your Schedule

Policy Administrator: Registrar. Last Updated: August 2017

Students self-register for classes via the Student Planning Module in Student Self-Service.

1. Log into student self service.
2. Click Student Planning
3. Check the top right corner for notifications, which will appear as yellow or red warnings. Red warnings will prevent registration.
4. Click View Your Progress
   In this section you can view your degree requirements, add courses to your course plan, and track your progress.
5. Access your academic plan for a list of recommended courses by term.
   A unique academic plan is prepared for each program by catalog year. It is essential for you to review the plan that corresponds to your program and catalog year. If you are unsure of your catalog year it is listed on your progress page in the At A Glance section, toward the top of the page on the left.
6. From your progress page, to add courses to your course plan:
   1. Select a course or click the search button
      Degree requirements are organized into a series of requirement blocks. If a list of courses is provided you may click a specific course or you may use the search button to return a list of all courses that will satisfy the requirement.
   2. From the page that loads, click Add Course to Plan and select a term.
7. Once you have added all courses to your plan, select Plan & Schedule from the Student Planning menu to choose sections of planned courses.
   Course sections are instances of a course being offered during a given term. Each planned course will have one or more course sections if it is being offered during the selected term.
8. If the desired term does not load, you may need to advance to a future term.
9. To select sections of planned courses:
   1. Click the View Other Sections link below each planned course.
   2. Compare available course sections (days & times) on your schedule.
   3. Click the desired course section and select Add Section

Planned course sections do not constitute registration. Planned courses appear in yellow on your schedule.

Registering for Planned Course Sections

Policy Administrator: Registrar. Last Updated: June 2018

1. Log into student self service and click Student Planning
2. Click Plan Your Degree and Register for Courses
3. If the desired term does not load, you may need to advance to a future term.
4. To register:
   1. for all planned course sections, click Register Now.
   2. for an individual course section, click the Register button from the list of planned course sections on the left.
5. All successfully registered course sections will appear green on your schedule. If a course section remains yellow after attempting to register check the notification area in the top right corner. The notification will provide details for why the registration was unsuccessful. If you have questions contact the Advising Center or the Office of the Registrar. 

Academic Accommodations

Students seeking accommodations and services through the Office of Educational Accessibility are expected to self-advocate and disclose fully the nature of their disability. Federal regulations require that students provide appropriate documentation of a disability which substantially limits one or more major life activities to the Office of Educational Accessibility before accommodations can be made. Accommodations are tailored to the specific needs of each individual student in order to maximize their potential and will, therefore, differ from student to student. Such accommodations are not retroactive, and any work done prior to self-disclosure through Educational Accessibility, regardless of other avenues of disclosure, is to be evaluated without regard to accommodations which may be provided following self-disclosure. The failure to provide accommodations prior to self-disclosure shall not constitute grounds for a grade appeal based on a disability and will not be taken into consideration for any work done prior to faculty notification through the Office of Educational Accessibility.

While disclosure of a disability is voluntary, students are highly encouraged to meet with the staff of the Office of Educational Accessibility as early in their UArts career as possible to ensure the highest levels of success. The staff of the Office of Educational Accessibility are available for regular appointments as well as drop in consultation on issues related to your experience at the University of the Arts.

Academic Plans

Academic plans provide a term by term suggested course sequence. Plans can be customized through discussions with academic advisors. Academic plans are published for each academic program by catalog year.

To access your academic plan

1. Access the Academic Plan Archive (Google Drive).
   If you are unsure of your program or catalog year, this information is listed in Student Self Service on the My Progress page in the At A Glance section at the top.
2. Open the folder that corresponds to your catalog year and then download the PDF for your program.

Auditing a Course

Auditing a course provides students the opportunity for self-enrichment and academic exploration, without the pressure of receiving an evaluation of academic performance.

Academic Policies

• Credit and Degree Requirements: Audited courses do not carry credit and will not satisfy degree requirements. Students may not audit a course that is required for their degree unless they have already satisfied that requirement.
• Course Repeatability: Courses that have been audited may not be repeated for credit.
• Transcript Notation: Audited courses will appear on transcripts with a grade of “AU.”
• Registration and Changes: Changes to a course’s audit status must be made before the course add/drop deadline.

Financial Policies

• Financial Aid: Auditing a course may affect your eligibility for financial aid; audited courses do not count towards enrollment status and may not be covered by financial aid awards.
• Scholarships: Audited courses typically do not count towards the credit requirements for maintaining scholarships. Please consult with the Student Financial Services office to confirm how auditing may impact your specific scholarship.
• Tuition and Fees: Regular tuition rates apply to audited courses, and these costs are included in the full-time tuition fee. Additional fees may apply, depending on the course.

To audit a course:

1. Submit the Pass/Fail or Audit form located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card.

Credit Overloads

Students who want to enroll in more than 18.0 credits of during a given term must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and receive permission from their program director. Overload credits are subject to additional charges at the standard per credit tuition rate.

To enroll in more than a full-time credit load:

1. Students should discuss credit overload requests with their program director.
2. An Exceptions and Overrides form is submitted via OnBase by Advising Center to the Office of the Registrar.
3. Student Financial Services (SFS) will bill the student for the overload. If payment for additional credits is not received within the time indicated by Student Financial Services, the student will be removed from the course section.

Program Progress Tracking

The Progress feature in Student Self Service provides detailed progress information including how planned, completed, and in-progress courses will apply to their program requirements.

To access progress

1. Log into student self service.
2. Click Student Planning
3. Click View Your Progress

Delivery Method

Engagement Definitions

• Synchronous: A class that focuses on concurrent, collective, and collaborative learning amongst students. Classes may be in-person or remote and will include regularly scheduled meeting times between instructor and students. Synchronous contact time occurs in real time, meaning that the students and instructor are engaged in learning activities simultaneously. Synchronous learning activities include lectures, discussions (in-person or virtual), demonstrations, group projects (during class time), labs, studios, videos (watched as a class), real-time document/file sharing and editing, etc.

• Asynchronous: A class that may be self-paced, individual or intermittently collaborative, requires that the content of the class be delivered using methods that do not rely on scheduled meeting times. Asynchronous delivery does not occur in real time, meaning that class learning activities need not be carried out simultaneously. This does not preclude remote meetings between faculty and students or between students and other students; such meetings are scheduled between faculty and students directly. The LMS, may include synchronous components using real-time videoconferencing, and asynchronous components, such as discussion boards, streamed video and audio files, blogs, wikis, document sharing, assignments completed outside scheduled class times, etc.

• Hybrid: A class in which part of the contact time of a synchronous class is replaced by a required asynchronous component, thus reducing the amount of required scheduled contact time. When hybrid classes have less synchronous time than a standard synchronous class the expected student commitment to the asynchronous component is increased in compliance with the required number of contact hours for the instructional method. The amount of time a particular class will actually meet synchronously is then listed in the schedule of classes, which will be fewer hours than the non-hybrid class.

To View a Course Section’s Delivery Method

1. Access the Search for Courses and Course Sections page in student self-service.

2. First, locate a course, then click View Available Sections. The delivery method will be listed in the locations column. See screenshot.
   

Enrolling as a visiting student at a local partner Institution

The University of the Arts has established cross-registration agreements with Jefferson University and Peirce College. These agreements provide students with access to a broader range of subject areas that typically available from their home institution.

• Jefferson University
• Peirce College

Jefferson University

The following policies apply:

• Courses taken at the host institution are included in enrollment load calculations (full time and part time status), tuition and fees, and financial aid packaging at the University of the Arts.
• Students do not pay additional tuition unless they enroll in a course with an additional fee.
• Students who receive a grade below 2.0 in a course taken at the host institution will not be permitted to participate in the cross-registration program in the future.
• Students will be held to the rules and regulations for student conduct and disciplinary standards of both institutions. In the case of a violation, the deans of students will consult with each other, and if deemed appropriate, students may be sanctioned by both institutions.
• Grade appeals shall be handled according to the regulations and procedures at the host institution.
• Students may take one course per term for a maximum of 18 credits, which may be completed at the host institution over six semesters.
• Participants will have non-matriculated status at the host institution, be provided with a student ID and be entitled to those privileges normally available to non-matriculated students.
• Courses taken at the host institution receive standard grades and appear on a student’s transcript as institutional credit.
• Students are responsible for transportation to and from the host institution and for adhering to differences in academic schedules and calendars.
• Authorization to add or drop a course adheres to the deadlines of the host institution.
• Available during the fall and spring semesters only.
• Available to students in good academic standing only.
• Available to students who have completed at least one year as a full-time student (or the equivalent number of credits) prior to taking courses at the host institution

To enroll:

1. Submit the Visiting Student Application located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card. First time participants only.
2. Submit the Visiting Student Registration form located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card.

Peirce College

The following policies apply:

• Courses taken at the host institution are included in enrollment load calculations (full time and part time status), tuition and fees, and financial aid packaging at the University of the Arts.
• Students do not pay additional tuition unless they enroll in a course with an additional fee.
• Students who receive a grade below 2.0 in a course taken at the host institution will not be permitted to participate in the cross-registration program in the future.
• Students will be held to the rules and regulations for student conduct and disciplinary standards of both institutions. In the case of a violation, the deans of students will consult with each other, and if deemed appropriate, students may be sanctioned by both institutions.
• Grade appeals shall be handled according to the regulations and procedures at the host institution.
• Students may take one course per term for a maximum of 18 credits, which may be completed at the host institution over six semesters.
• Participants will have non-matriculated status at the host institution, be provided with a student ID and be entitled to those privileges normally available to non-matriculated students.
• Courses taken at the host institution receive standard grades and appear on a student’s transcript as institutional credit.
• Students are responsible for transportation to and from the host institution and for adhering to differences in academic schedules and calendars.
• Authorization to add or drop a course adheres to the deadlines of the host institution.

To enroll:

1. View the Peirce course section offerings for UArts students on the Partnership with Peirce College web page for the semester you are interested in attending.
2. Submit the Visiting Student Application located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card. First time participants only.
3. Submit the VIsiting Student Registration form located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card.

General Electives

General electives are courses students have the freedom to select based on their interests, including those outside of their discipline. All undergraduate degrees and some graduate programs include an allotment of general electives. The number of general electives required by a program is documented on the program’s academic plan and program’s catalog page  (requirements may vary by catalog year ). Any course not required by a program will satisfy a general elective; eligibility to enroll in a course is dependent on a student satisfying published course requisites and registration restrictions.

Courses completed in pursuit of an undergraduate minor simultaneously fulfill general elective or critical studies elective requirements. See minor policy  for additional information.

Graduate students can enroll in 300 & 400 level undergraduate courses for graduate credit to satisfy general elective requirements. See the Graduate Students Registering for UG Courses (for graduate credit policy) for additional information.

Searching for Courses

Students can find courses to satisfy their general elective requirements by searching the course offerings in student planning.

1. Log into student self service
2. Click Student Planning
3. Select Course Offerings from the Student Planning menu
4. Courses can be browsed by subject or Select Advanced Search. Filter courses by term to restrict results to courses that have sections running in a given term; select the Open Sections filter to show only sections that have seats available.

Useful filters include:

• term to restrict results to courses with sections running during the term selected.
• days of the week and/or time to find a course that fits your schedule.
• subject to find a course in a subject of interest.
• course types can be used to further refine your search, some useful course types include:
  • Business: Courses which develop business skills.
  • Collaborative: Courses where two or more disciplines interact or cooperate in a synergistic manner.
  • Entrepreneurial: Courses which support the development entrepreneurial skills.
  • Introductory: Courses open to all undergraduate students, which typically do not include a requisite. specifically recommended for incoming first year students
  • Technology: Courses which place a heavy emphasis on technology.

Graduate Students Registering for UG Courses

For graduate credit

The following policies apply:

• 100-400 level undergraduate courses qualify.
• Courses are recorded on the graduate transcript.
• Courses factor into the graduate GPA.
• Courses factor into the graduate program enrollment status calculation (full time/part time)
• Courses may satisfy graduate program degree requirements.
• A maximum of 12.0 credits may be completed in this manner.
• Students are expected to do supplementary work commensurate with graduate level study (additional reading, projects, papers, or contact hours with the instructor).
• Undergraduate students have priority to undergraduate courses; Graduate students registrations will be processed the first business day following the end of priority registration.

To enroll:

1. Submit the Undergraduate Course Authorization for Graduate Students form located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card.
2. Forms should be submitted early during the first week of the advising period to allow for processing time.
3. Students will be notified via email whether the request is approved or denied.

For undergraduate credit

To avoid unexpected charges, students should discuss financial aid implications with Student Financial Services. Graduate students in programs charged a full time tuition rate, can enroll in undergraduate courses for no additional charge up to 18.0 credits; to qualify it is necessary to maintain full time enrollment in graduate level coursework. 

The following policies apply:

• 100-400 level undergraduate courses qualify.
• Courses are recorded on the undergraduate transcript
• Courses factor into the undergraduate GPA.
• Courses will not factor into the graduate program enrollment status calculation. (full time/part time)
• Courses cannot satisfy graduate program degree requirements.
• A maximum of 12.0 credits may be completed in this manner.
• Undergraduate students have priority to undergraduate courses; Graduate students registrations will be processed the first business day following the end of priority registration.

To enroll:

• Submit the Undergraduate Course Authorization for Graduate Students form located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card.
• Forms should be submitted early during the first week of the advising period to allow for processing time.
• Students will be notified via email whether the request is approved or denied.

For undergraduate credit, teacher certification preparation

Depending on educational background, it may be necessary for students enrolled in MAT programs to complete additional credits in art history, education, psychology, sociology, or in studio areas.

The following policies apply:

• 100-400 level undergraduate courses qualify.
• Courses are recorded on the graduate transcript
• Courses are considered remedial and do not factor into the graduate GPA.
• Courses will factor into the graduate program enrollment status calculation. (full time/part time)
• Courses cannot satisfy graduate program degree requirements.
• Graduate program director must certify that the course is required to fulfill teaching certification requirements.

To enroll:

• Submit the Undergraduate Course Authorization for Graduate Students form located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card.
• Forms should be submitted early during the first week of the advising period to allow for processing time.
• Students will be notified via email whether the request is approved or denied.

Independent Study

An independent study offers the opportunity to initiate individual research or advanced projects that are beyond the offerings of the University. Students are responsible for documenting the content of the independent study to other institutions or outside agencies, should they require further information beyond the student’s transcript.

The following policies apply to independent study courses:

• Available to matriculated junior and senior undergraduate students, with a 2.5 minimum GPA
• Available to graduate students in good academic standing
• An independent study may be pursued within the Schools of Art, Dance, Design, Film, Music, and Theater for 1.5 - 6 credits; Graduate and Professional Studies 1.5 - 3 credits.
• Independent study courses cannot be taken pass/fail
• The approved number of credits for independent study cannot be changed after the student has registered for the course.
• A maximum of 12.0 credits may be applied toward elective requirements.

To enroll in an independent study:

1. Student submits an Independent Study form located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card, indicating the number of credits within the variable credit range for the selected course, identifying the instructor for the independent study, and entering a description of the project.
2. Following submission, the request is sent to the instructor via email for approval and submission of further details about the plan of study and evaluation of work. If a syllabus exists, it can be pasted into that text area.
3. Form is sent to the program director for approval.
4. Student is enrolled in the Independent Study by the Office of the Registrar
5. Provost’s office will be cc’d on completion notification in order to complete instructor assignment

Internships, Practicum & Fields Experiences

Courses are credit-bearing work experiences that are integrated with academic instruction and relate to an individual student’s occupational goal. Students concurrently apply learned concepts to practical situations within an occupational field. Experiences are coordinated by UArts faculty, who assist the student in planning the experience and assign the course grade to the student after consultation with the employer/supervisor. The student will complete pre-determined assignments.

The use of the terms “practicum,” “field experience,” or “internship” for the course title may be to accommodate differences in accreditation nomenclature.

The following policies apply to internships:

• Available to matriculated junior and senior undergraduate students and graduate students.
• A maximum of 12.0 credits may be applied toward degree requirements.
• Internships are evaluated pass/fail.
• Special tuition & fees apply to internship enrollment, see Tuition & Fees .

To apply & enroll in an internship

1. Applying for an internship requires the submission of internship proposal and placement forms via the UArtsCareers website, which must be approved by the faculty internship advisor and Career Services.
2. After final approval is received students will be administratively registered for the internship.

Off-Campus Study

Study abroad, domestic mobility, and exchange opportunities are available through programs hosted or coordinated through regionally accredited U.S. institutions, or through direct application to a foreign institution whose courses the University has agreed to accept for credit. The selection of a program should be made carefully, as it may have implications for cost, financial aid, transferability of credits, progress in the major, and progress toward completion of degree requirements. Students must meet with their program directors to review the program under consideration to ensure their academic progress towards fulfilling their UArts degree requirements.

• Affiliated Programs
• AICAD Exchange
• Direct Enrollment
• International Exchange Programs

Affiliated Programs

The University maintains affiliation agreements with a select group of study abroad providers who welcome applications from UArts students. Applications for these programs are submitted through the University’s International Programs-Study Abroad Office. Students enrolling in affiliate programs pay the University of the Arts tuition and the University pays the affiliate’s tuition on behalf of the student. For affiliates with tuition that exceeds UArts tuition, students will be billed by UArts for the difference.

Students should contact the Mara Flamm, Director of International Student Programs by telephone or e-mail (215-717-6621, mflamm@uarts.edu) to learn more about these options, including application deadlines, procedures, and costs. Planning for study abroad should begin before the end of the first year of study at the University in order to maximize the possibility of defining appropriate options.

The following policies apply:

• Students with cumulative grade point averages of less than 2.5 and those on any form of academic warning will not be permitted to study abroad.
• Students on judicial or disciplinary probation will not be approved for study abroad.
• Students must register for a minimum of twelve credits for each semester abroad.
• Approval of an Off-Campus Study form is always contingent on acceptance by an affiliated program or a partner institution. The Study Abroad Coordinator has up-to-date information concerning deadlines for application and application procedures.
• Students who normally receive Financial Aid remain eligible for federal, state, institutional, and merit-based aid while engaged in off-campus study and upon their return to UArts, presuming that the student continues to meet the academic requirements of their aid package. Please note that some named institutional scholarships may not be applied toward off-campus study.
• The student will be billed for tuition and fees by UArts. UArts will then pay the student’s required tuition and fees at the institution where the student is accepted up to an amount equal to the University of the Arts tuition. Students will be responsible for tuition costs that exceed UArts tuition.
• Depending on the agreement that the University has made with a partner institution, students may be billed by UArts for the costs of housing or travel, and those payments will then be made on behalf of the student. In all cases, students are responsible for the costs of travel and housing.
• The Study Abroad Office always makes clear to students in advance what the full costs of any program will be, including broad advice about living and incidental costs, which can vary greatly by country. Students abroad are normally not permitted to work by the host country, and so need to plan on funding all of their expenses that semester without the benefit of a part-time job.
• Students who plan to study abroad should apply for financial aid adhering to normal deadlines and procedures. Additionally, such students will be asked to provide the University of the Arts Office of Student Financial Services with a duly executed power of attorney if documents will require their signature during the study abroad period. In the course of applying to study abroad, a student should meet with his or her assigned Financial Aid counselor to assure that aid is processed before he or she leaves the country. In addition, students studying off campus may not use the extended payment plan (TMS) to pay for tuition and other charges.

AICAD Exchange

The University of the Arts is a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). Students in good standing may spend a semester, usually in their junior year, as a guest at another participating member institution. Students remain matriculated at the University of the Arts and, with their advisor’s prior approval, will receive full credit for work done at participating AICAD institutions.

The following policies apply:

• Eligibility: The AICAD Exchange is open primarily to full‑time students who are in good standing and who otherwise meet eligibility requirements of their specific program. Students choose which school they wish to attend in the AICAD Exchange. However, the Host School retains sole discretion to accept or decline an application or selection of courses.
• Tuition and Fees: Tuition is payable to the student’s Home School. The Host School agrees not to charge the student tuition. A voucher indicating that tuition has been paid is issued by the Home School to the student and must be presented to the Host School at registration. If a student has made the required payment to the Home School but has not received a voucher, she/he must contact the Home School Exchange Coordinator immediately. The student will receive the regular financial aid award, if any, to which they are entitled.
• Laboratory fees: student service fees and other fees may be charged to the student by the Host School. These are billed by and payable directly to the Host School, and must be paid before registration. These fees vary by institution and program, so students should contact the Exchange Coordinator of the Host School to determine which fees will be required at registration.
• Grades: Grades received from the Host School during Exchange study will become a part of the student’s official record at their Home School, in accordance with the Home School’s policies for such study. Host Schools should not count Exchange students in their registration statistics. While at the Host School, the student will be governed by the academic regulations of the Host School and will not be eligible for student aid or employment from the Host School. The Host School is responsible for notifying the Home School of any deficiencies during the semester.
• Medical Insurance: Nearly every AICAD college requires students to obtain or furnish proof of medical insurance. Check with your Host School to determine its policies. If you have no insurance you will most likely be expected to purchase it from the Host School. If you have insurance, be sure to obtain proof of insurance from your Home School before you depart.
• Housing: Housing is the responsibility of each student. Host Schools have no obligation to provide housing and their dorms are often full. A student wishing to live in a Host School’s dorm should make this known at the time of application. Fees for Room and Board are billed by and payable directly to the Host School. If dorms are full, off‑campus housing information may be obtained from the student services or housing office of the Host School. Students should plan ahead and investigate all housing options at the time of application.

To participate:

• Deadlines: Applications must be received by the host school no later than: April 10 (Fall Semester) and October 1 (Spring Semester)
• Applications are submitted through slide room and have a nominal application fee.
• Contact the Office of the Provost for further information at 215-717-6393.

Direct Enrollment

The University of the Arts maintains agreements with partner institutions, particularly in the United Kingdom, that permit students to enroll directly for a semester or longer. There is normally an application process specific to the institution and space is not guaranteed. Students enrolling in these programs pay University of the Arts tuition and the University of the Arts pays the partner institution’s tuition on behalf of the student. For institutions with tuition that exceeds UArts tuition, students will be billed by UArts for the difference.

International Exchange Programs

University of the Arts students have the opportunity to be considered to study away from Philadelphia at one of the University’s partner institutions by participating in a student exchange. The International Exchange Program enables select UArts students to study at a variety of institutions while earning University of the Arts credit and being immersed in the culture of some of the world’s most exciting cities.

Many universities offer coursework in English, while others require advanced knowledge of a foreign language.

Students who are approved to enroll in the International Exchange Program pay UArts tuition which allows students to maintain their financial aid package, including grants and scholarships (unique partner fees may be required). Students may also apply for additional financial aid (in the form of loans) for study abroad through the Student Financial Services Office.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

Optional Pass/Fail grading is available to encourage students to enrich their academic programs and explore more challenging courses outside their majors, without the pressures and demands of the regular grading system.

The following policies apply to courses optional pass/fail:

• Available to undergraduate students only.
• A maximum of nine credits may be completed optional pass/fail.
• May only be used to satisfy elective requirements including both Critical Studies and general electives.
• Once registration has closed no change can be made to the optional pass/fail status of a course.
• Students are evaluated using grades of optional pass (OP) or optional fail (OF), which are not computed into the student’s GPA.
• Course instructors are not to be informed of students taking a course pass/fail and will evaluate students by recording a standard letter grade, which will automatically be converted during grading to an OP or an OF. Grades of A to C are converted to OP and grades of C- to F are converted to OF.

To enroll in a course for an optional pass/fail grade:

1. Submit the Pass/Fail or Audit form located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card.

Private Music Lessons

Private music lessons are offered by the School of Music and are available to all students at the University.

Instruction is available in the following areas

• Bass: Electric and/or Upright
• Composition
• Conducting
• Drums
• Guitar
• Music Technology
• Piano
• Trombone
• Trumpet
• Vibes
• Voice
• Woodwinds: Clarinet, Flute, and Saxophone
• Violin

Applied Major Instruction

Applied major instruction are a sequence of courses which are required for students enrolled in performance-based programs offered by the School of Music. Each lesson includes 14 hours of private instruction. Meeting times are scheduled between the instructor and the student directly. Courses do not carry an additional fee.

To register for a private music lesson:

1. Plan and register for applied major instructions using the student planning module in self-service.
2. Contact the instructor to schedule lesson meeting times. Meeting days and times and day will be listed on a student’s schedule as TBA.

Non-Major lessons

Non-major lessons are available to all students at the University, including students enrolled in performance-based programs offered by the School of Music who want private instruction in an instrument other than their declared major instrument. Each lesson includes 7 hours of private instruction. Meeting times are scheduled between the instructor and the student directly. Non-major lessons carry an additional fee. See the course fees section on Tuition & Fees page.

To register for a non-major music lesson:

1. Contact the School of Music for assistance selecting a non-major lessons instructor.
2. Email the selected instructor to schedule lesson meeting times. Meeting days and times and day will be listed on a student’s schedule as TBA.
3. Email confirmed meeting times to the School of Music, cc-ing the instructor. 
4. The School of Music will then process the registration.

Registration Appointment Times

Registration for each term occurs within designated registration periods. Students are assigned a registration appointment time for each term. Appointment times are assigned based on the number of completed credits at the start of the advising period for a given term, regardless of the number of semesters of enrollment or the student’s standing in their major program. 

• To view registration appointment times
• To view completed credits
• Formula for assigning registration appointment times

To view registration appointment times:

Appointment times are typically visible in Student Self Service on the first day of academic advising during the fall and spring semesters.

1. Log into student self service and click Student Planning
2. Choose Plan & Schedule from the menu. Faculty & Staff using the Advising module, click on the Course Plan tab.
3. Advance to upcoming term to view assigned appointment time as shown in the example that follows.* See also the Special Registration Schedule for the Fall 2020 Semester.

*Only one registration start time is displayed at a time. The system will first display the priority registration start time. After a students priority registration period has ended the system will display the registration start time. 

To view completed credits:

1. Log into student self service and click Student Planning
2. Choose Progress from the student planning menu. Faculty & Staff using the Advising module, click on the Progress tab.
3. Completed credits are listed in the total credits section as shown in the example that follows:

Formula for Assigning Registration Appointment Times

Registration for the fall, spring, and summer terms (excluding Continuing Studies terms) occurs during two registration periods annually. Registration periods are published in the Academic Calendar . Registration periods begin on Monday. During the first week of registration, appointment times are assigned as follows:

Graduate Students

Undergraduate Students

Repeating Courses

Certain courses are designated as repeatable; they may be taken more than once for credit. Students who repeat a course, regardless of the grade previously earned, will have both grades counted in their cumulative grade point average. An exception is the Grade Replacement Policy .

Requisites

Enrollment in designated courses requires the successful completion of one or more prerequisite courses and/or simultaneous enrollment in one or more corequisite courses. Course requisites exist to support student success in higher-level courses. 

Course Requisite Lookup

Requisites are published in the Course Offerings section in self-service. For example:

Course Requisite Override Requests

Students who have not completed required requisite or corequisite courses, but who can demonstrate readiness in the skills necessary to successfully complete a course, may request a requisite or corequisite override. If an override is granted, students must self-register for the course section via self-service on or after their registration appointment time.

Demonstrating readiness in required skills

There are several ways a student might demonstrate readiness:

• Completion of equivalent coursework: If a student has completed a course that covers the same material as the requisite course, they may be able to demonstrate competency in the required skills or knowledge.
• Professional experience: If a student has relevant professional experience that demonstrates their competency in the required skills or knowledge, they may be able to provide documentation or a resume to support their override request.
• Academic advising: If a student has consulted with an academic advisor or faculty member who can attest to their competency in the required skills or knowledge, they may be able to provide a recommendation in support of their override request.

It’s important to note that the specific methods of demonstrating competency may vary depending on the course and academic unit. Students should consult with the academic unit offering the course to determine the most appropriate way to demonstrate their competency.

To request an override

Requisite override requests can be submitted at any time, but when possible should be submitted during the advising period. Approved requests processed before registration opens will enable a student to register for the section on or after their registration appointment time.

1. Students can request an override by emailing the academic unit offering the course. Requests should include the course and section number (Example: FRCH*202*01) and justification for the request. For contact information use the Department Lookup utility to search by course title or number.
2. The academic unit will review the request. Approved requests will be entered in self-service by the academic unit. 
3. The academic unit will notify students via email whether their request has been approved or denied.
4. Students can view approved requests on the Petitions & Waivers tab in the Plan & Schedule section in the Student Planning module. Advisors can view approved requests on the Petitions & Waivers tab in the Advising module.
5. Students who have been approved for a requisite or corequisite override must self-register for the course section via self-service on or after their assigned registration appointment time.

Denied requests

There are several reasons why a request for a requisite or corequisite override might be denied. Here are some possible examples:

• Insufficient evidence of competency: If the student cannot provide enough evidence of their competency in the required skills or knowledge for the course, the request may be denied.
• Lack of space in the course: If the course is already full and there are no available seats, the academic unit may not be able to grant an override.
• Course prerequisites are necessary for success: If the academic unit determines that the prerequisite or corequisite courses are necessary for a student’s success in the course, the request may be denied.
• Safety concerns: If the course involves potentially hazardous activities or requires specialized training, the academic unit may not be able to grant an override if the student has not completed the necessary prerequisite courses.

Undergraduate Students Registering for GR courses

For undergraduate credit

Undergraduate students may enroll in a graduate course for undergraduate credit, subject to the following conditions:

• The student must be a senior at the beginning of the term during which the course is offered.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required.
• Permission is granted by the Program Director and Dean.

To enroll:

1. Student should meet with the Program Director of the graduate course.
2. If the Program Director grants permission for the student to enroll in the course they will submit an Exceptions & Overrides form to the Office of the Registrar, subject to approval by the Dean.
3. Approved forms will be processed by the Office of the Registrar.

For graduate credit

Undergraduate students may enroll in a graduate course for graduate credit, subject to the following conditions:

• The student must be a senior at the beginning of the term during which the course is offered.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required.
• The course will not apply toward undergraduate degree requirements.
• Permission is granted by the Program Director and Dean.

To enroll:

1. Student should meet with the Program Director of the graduate course.
2. If the Program Director grants permission for the student to enroll in the course they will submit an Exceptions & Overrides form to the Office of the Registrar, subject to approval by the Dean.
3. Approved forms will be processed by the Office of the Registrar.

Waitlisting Courses

If a course section reaches its maximum student capacity, a waitlist is automatically created by the registration system. Waitlists are an equitable method to control student enrollment in a course section that has reached capacity, if and when seats become available.

The registration system notifies students via email shortly after midnight each day if a seat becomes available in a waitlisted course section during the previous day. Seats are held for 24 hours, at which time permission to register for the available seat will pass to the next waitlisted student.

The following policies apply to waitlisted courses

• Students cannot be registered for one section of a course and waitlisted for another.
• Students cannot waitlist two or more sections of the same course.
• Students are added to a course section waitlist in the order that they joined the waitlist.
• Students with active financial holds will not be able to register for a waitlisted course if a seat becomes available and will consequently forfeit their priority.
• Students who do not satisfy course prerequisites or registration restrictions will not be able to register for a waitlist course.
• Students on a waitlist are not registered and are not permitted to attend the course until and unless they become officially registered.
• If a seat opens in a course, a student will have 24 hours to register. Permission will expire at 11.59 PM at which time permission will be granted to the next student on the waitlist.

How to waitlist a course section

1. When registering via student planning, if a course section has reached its maximum capacity the Register button associated with the course section will be replaced by a Waitlist button.
2. To add yourself to a course waitlist, you must click the Waitlist button.
   The course section information displayed in the plan & schedule section of student planning includes the total number of students currently waitlisted for a course.

Withdrawal from a Course

Once a student has been withdrawn from a course section they may no longer attend class meetings.

• Financial Considerations
• Student Initiated Withdrawal

Financial Considerations

Withdrawing from a course may impact current and future financial aid eligibility. Students are encouraged to consult with Student Financial Services prior to withdrawing from a course. See Financial Aid Retention policy .

Student Initiated Withdrawal

Students may withdrawal from a course with a grade of W. Requests may be submitted from the day after the end of registration through the Course Withdrawal Deadline*.

To Withdrawal from a Course

1. Submit the Withdrawal from a Course form located on the UArts portal in the Student Forms card.
2. After the withdrawal has been processed a confirmation email will be sent to the student and the instructor.

Click here for information on how to Withdrawal from the University or to apply for a Leave of Absence.
*See Academic Calendar .