Understanding Registration at Purdue
For undergraduate students registering for fall and spring, registration typically happens in two phases: pre-registration and open registration. Not every student will participate in both phases, but understanding how they work will help you know what actions to take and when.
During pre-registration, you submit a Course Request Form instead of adding classes directly. We use these requests — along with any course alternatives you provide — to build schedules in a batch process, which are then released for you to review.
After schedules are released, open registration begins. During this phase, you can add, drop or change courses in real time using Scheduling Assistant, as long as seats are available and no registration holds apply.
Graduate and Professional Students
For graduate, professional and other student populations, begin the registration process by selecting your term in the Registration Dates and Time Ticket Windows section below to access key registration dates and deadlines specific to your student type.
Before You Register
Registration is the process of selecting courses, reserving space in those courses, receiving your class schedule and paying required fees. You’re not officially enrolled until your fees are paid.
Before your registration window opens, complete the steps below in order to avoid delays.
Pre-registration: Submit Your Course Request Form
Before your registration window opens, you’ll submit a Course Request Form to request courses for the upcoming semester. Review the steps below to understand the pre-registration process.
For additional help, review our frequently asked questions.
How to Submit Your Course Request Form
Use the Course Request Form to request courses for an upcoming semester. The form closes on a published date each term for administrative processing. When processing is complete, you’ll receive an email letting you know your schedule is ready to view.
Once opened, your Student Course Requests will be displayed. You may see courses already listed based on advisor recommendations.
In myPurdue, select Registration from the top menu, and locate the Register for Classes card and choose Course Request Form (CRF).
Review Courses Recommended by Your Advisor
If your advisor has already entered course recommendations, review them carefully before proceeding. If no courses appear, you’ll need to manually enter courses into the blank form.
Only request courses you’ve discussed with your academic advisor. Changing advisor-recommended courses may affect your ability to register for required courses and could impact your overall schedule and degree progression.
If you’re part of a Learning Community, some courses may appear as locked and cannot be changed.
Submit Your Requests
When your Course Request Form is complete, submit your request.
If no issues are found, a message will display confirming your requests were successfully submitted.
When submitting, you may see messages that require attention.
Open Registration
When your time ticket window opens, register directly through myPurdue. This is also when you can request online courses, cross-location courses and course overrides.
Registration Dates and Time Ticket Windows
Find your term below and select your student type to see when registration opens and what dates apply to you. Published dates reflect when the first window opens — time tickets are released incrementally to prevent system issues.
Time ticket assignment is based on completed/earned credits in myPurdue. Always check your individual time ticket in myPurdue for the most accurate information, as all dates are subject to change.
Please note: All times listed are Eastern Time.
Other registration tasks
Confirm Off-campus Course Location
A Course Experience Location hold is placed when you’re registered in a course that requires an off‑campus experience, such as a field experience, clinical hours, a practicum or an internship.
Reporting mandates require the university to verify the physical location where these experiences take place. If the required information is not submitted within 30 days of the email notice, a registration hold will be placed on your account.
Confirm your course experience location in myPurdue. Select Academics from the top menu to view your Personal Information card where you’ll choose Confirm Course Experience Location. Enter the address where you’ll be physically located while completing the off‑campus course requirements. For example, if you live in Indiana but commute daily to Kentucky for the course experience, you must provide the Kentucky address. If your location changes or your course details change, it’s your responsibility to update this information.
If the information shown is already correct, select Verify.
Request a Custom Course Title
You may request a custom course title or confirm its creation directly through myPurdue. If the instructor you need is not listed, contact the Schedule Deputy for that academic department. If you’re unsure who the Schedule Deputy is, visit our Academic Classroom Scheduling page for the appropriate contact.
Required Information
You must provide the following information when submitting a custom title request:
- Subject (e.g., CHM, PSY, ME)
- Course number (e.g., 11200, 24400, 36500)
- Course title (30 characters or fewer, including spaces)
- Credit hours
- Instructor name
Guidance on Course Titles
- Course titles appear on your official academic transcript.
- The title must briefly describe the subject matter.
- Don’t use the course subject and number as the course title (e.g., “ENGL 11100”).
- If no title is provided, a default title will be assigned.
Post-registration: Your Schedule
We use your course requests and alternatives to build the most workable schedule possible that supports progress toward your degree. The university assumes no responsibility for delays in degree progress caused by registration changes made by the student.
Important to Note
Review Your Schedule
Your course requests and alternatives are used to create the best available schedule. If you didn’t receive requested courses or preferred times, ask your academic advisor before making changes.
If your schedule is empty, you may not have submitted a request during the pre-registration window, or there may be a hold on your account. Contact your academic advisor for next steps. Your time ticket is available in myPurdue on the Academic Profile card, under Registration Notices.
Schedule Changes After Release
If a course appears as not enrolled, you may attempt to reactivate it and rebuild your schedule. A message will confirm whether the attempt was successful.
Schedule changes made through add or drop actions update in real time. You can confirm changes by viewing your schedule in Scheduling Assistant.
Before rearranging your schedule or making changes not previously discussed, consult your academic advisor.
Canceled Class Section
If a class section is canceled, you’ll receive an email from the department offering the course with instructions to move to a non‑canceled section.
We’ll also mark the section as canceled by removing the meeting time and instructor and listing the location as ‘Canceled Class.’ The canceled section will appear this way on your Detailed Student Schedule.
Add/Drop Deadlines
You can make schedule changes during the approved add/drop period for your term.
The timeframe for making schedule changes depends on the term and course.
Refer to the Add/Drop Refund and Deadline Calendar for your semester to learn key dates, authorizations required and impact on fees and tuition.
Special Situations
- If dual or transfer credit hasn’t posted and an override is required, a department designee must review an official or unofficial transcript before approving the override. Once approved, you may attempt to register for the course.
- If you were assigned an online or hybrid course and prefer an in-person option, you may attempt to register for an in-person section once your time ticket opens.
- If you wish to leave a Learning Community, consult your advisor first. After that discussion, you may contact the Learning Community team at learningcommunities@purdue.edu or (765) 494‑5785.
Note for Faculty and Advisors
Registration time tickets are assigned by the Office of the Registrar based on completed and earned credits in myPurdue and are released in phases to support system performance.
Advisors can view student registration status and pre‑registration activity using Registrar advising tools and should continue to guide students on course planning, Course Request Form submission and registration readiness within published timelines.
For additional information and guidance with registration, please contact our team.