Registering for classes
Learn the basics of course registration and how to effectively and efficiently register for your first-year classes!
- View which courses are required for your program by visiting the Choosing First Year Courses page. Review the First Year at a Glance and see if there are any Important Notes specific to your program.
- Review the Introduction to Course Registration article on our knowledge base.
- Visit myAcadia and choose Self Service to login and register for your courses. If you're not sure what your username is, you can find it in the "My Next Steps" area of the Applicant Status Portal.
We're Here to help!
Your Enrolment Advisor can help you with navigating the course registration process, but ultimately they can not advise you on courses you should be taking.
Please connect with your faculty in order to receive guidance on the proper courses to register. You can find the contact information of your department by visiting your program of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I register for courses?
You can register for courses in June if you have accepted your offer of admission.
How many courses do I need per semester for a regular full-time course load?
You need 5 courses each semester. Each course is 3 hours per week (excluding labs) so your total credit-hours per semester should be 15 hours.
Do labs count for credit-hours?
No, labs are co-requisites for certain courses and those hours are in addition to your regular scheduled class.
Can I take any upper year courses?
Some level 2000 courses are open to first year students, as they don’t have prerequisite requirements. Other courses may be open through special permission, but we suggest sticking mostly to level 1000 courses.
Should I avoid subjects that I have no experience in?
Of course not! First year is a time to try new subjects, and intro courses are set up for students who have no prior knowledge of the subject.
How do I know which courses I should take?
Refer to the first year course guide to see which courses are required for your specific program. Electives are up to you - take what you’re interested in or perhaps try something new!
If a class is full can I be put on a waitlist?
Yes, you can add yourself to a class wait list through the Self Service portal.
What is an arts core?
Arts students must complete something called the “arts core”. It is recommended to complete this within your first two years.
- 6 credit-hours in English
- 6 credit-hours in a single language other than English: French, German, Greek, Latin, or Spanish
- 6 credit-hours of Social Science: Economics, Politics, Sociology, or Women's and Gender Studies
- 6 credit-hours of Humanities: Art, Classics, Comparative Religion, History, Philosophy, Music, Women's and Gender Studies (Studio classes in Art and Music do not fulfil this requirement)
- 6 credit-hours of Science: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Environmental Science, Engineering, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Math and Stats, Nutrition, Physics, or Psychology
How will I know which courses to take in subsequent years?
You will be academically advised by your department each year before you register.
Can courses run back-to-back?
Yes, professors give students ten minutes in between classes to get to other classrooms or across campus.
What do I do if I want to double major?
We suggest directly contacting your department for advising before registering if you wish to double major.