Course Registration

When to Register for Courses

To ensure the best availability of classes, students are encouraged to register as early as possible within the assigned time. All students are expected to complete their initial enrollment before the first day of classes for the semester. Important dates and deadlines are published on Academic Calendar.

Students must have a valid time ticket to register for courses. The Office of the University Registrar assigns each student a time ticket, which is a specific date and time after which a student may register. The time ticket is based on the number of credits earned. Thus, the time ticket will not be the same for all students within a particular priority group. Find your specific time ticket by logging on to Patriot Web.

For new students, time tickets will be assigned on the day of orientation and students can register for classes under guidance at the academic orientation.

For continuing/returning students, registration for the next semester or summer term begins after mid-semester of fall or spring semesters and is opened to various groups according to priority (seniors, juniors, and so on).

All students must have a student record free of financial and administrative holds to be eligible to register.

Check out Online Registration Guide posted on this webpage for more information.

How to Register Online

Students can use Patriot Web to add or drop courses online. Each semester, Patriot Web will list specific course information before registration starting day. Courses listed may be canceled for insufficient enrollment. Mason reserves the right to change the class schedule and adjust the individual section enrollment as necessary. You may use your Patriot Pass ID and password to log-in to the system.

Check out Online Registration Guide posted on this webpage for more information.

How to Waitlist Courses

The waitlist is a way for students to indicate their intent to register for a class that is already full. The waitlist designates your position on the “backup” list of students attempting to get into the course.

Once a seat becomes available, the first student on the waitlist will receive an override to register for the course. You must check your Mason e-mail account on a daily basis. You will be notified via e-mail when a waitlist override has been issued. If you see an open seat, DO NOT try to remove yourself from the waitlist until you receive the override. Students with waitlist overrides must register for the course within 48 hours. Otherwise, the override will be expired. 

As students drop from the course, the waitlist will advance to fill vacated seats. Please note that the system recognizes you as “registered” for that specific time and day even if you are only on the waitlist. You cannot register for another section of the same class, or an alternate class occupying the same day and time as a waitlisted course.

Check out Online Registration Guide posted on this webpage for more information.

Permanent changes to waitlist policy beginning Fall 2019

• Waitlists overrides remain on account for 48 hours
• The last override will be issued on the last day of add/drop  for that part of term
• If you are given an override on the last day to add classes, you will only have until 11:59pm that day to add the class.

Important information about the waitlist process:

• Not all Mason courses offer a waitlist.
• You will not be automatically registered from a waitlist.
• Waitlist overrides are issued when seats become available.
• Waitlist overrides remain on your account for 48 hours.
• Waitlist overrides are removed from your record if you do not use them within the 48 hour time period.
• Waitlist overrides can be viewed via Patriot Web by clicking on “Registration and Planning,” “Prepare for Registration,” “Select a Term,” then “Registration Status.”
• You must check your Mason e-mail account on a daily basis. You will be notified via e-mail when a waitlist override has been issued.
• If you see an open seat, DO NOT try to remove yourself from the waitlist until you receive the override.