Course prerequisites

In order to enroll in some courses, you must either complete (prereq) or concurrently register (coreq) for certain other courses, possess particular qualifications or have a certain class standing. These requirements are known as prerequisites or corequisites. If you attempt to register for courses where you don’t meet the prerequisites, you may need to obtain a class permission number from the instructor or department offering the class and enter it in MyU when your register.

To see the prerequisites, you must select the class number or the course section information and view the details in the course description.

If none are listed, the course has no prerequisites.

Expand all

Course sequences

When courses that must be taken in sequence are prerequisites, only the last course of the sequence is listed. When no course subject precedes the course number listed as a prerequisite (e.g., "prereq 3221"), that course is in the same subject as the course being offered. Likewise, a prerequisite reading "6 cr" means 6 credits in courses offered by the same department. A comma always means "and."

Equivalency

Work equivalent to a prerequisite course (having either the same content or requiring the same competence) may be accepted in place of that prerequisite. Instructors may, in some instances, waive prerequisites at their discretion and provide you with a permission number that allows you to register for a course. 

Class standing

Occasionally, a class will be limited to students of a particular class standing. Your class standing is determined by your total number of completed credits.

 
Class standingCompleted semester credits
Senior90 or more credits
Junior60.000 - 89.999 credits
Sophmore30.000 - 59.999 credits
FreshmanLess than 30 credits

Cancel/Add requests

Departments and colleges may use the registration system to place qualified students into courses or sections on a priority basis (seniors, majors, for example). Even if you meet all stated prerequisites for a course, including class standing, it is possible that you may also need to meet other qualifications. For this reason, it is helpful to list both first and second course choices on your Registration and Cancel/Add Request or in the email request online form. Check the academic calendar for your term to see timing for drop/add requests.

If you are a Law School student refer to the Law School's refund drop/add deadlines.

Questions about your prerequisites?

Academic advisors, the department offering the class, your college Advising and Academic Services Office, and/or One Stop Student Services are the best resources for understanding registration and how your situation is impacted by your uniquely personal academic record.