MLIS Registration Procedures

 
 
All students should be aware of registration policies and procedures. Note that quarterly registration notes will be emailed out a few weeks before registration period 1 begins. 
 

Academic Year:

The University of Washington is on a quarter system. The academic year consists of autumn, winter and spring quarters. Each quarter is approximately 11 weeks long. The optional summer quarter is approximately 9 weeks. Dates for each quarter are available on the UW Academic Calendar. 
 

Registration Timeframes:

The registration period typically begins mid-quarter (approximately, 7-10 weeks prior to the start of the next quarter).  Refer to the UW Academic Calendar and look at the dates for Registration Periods 1, 2, 3, as well as relevant add/drop dates.
 

Quarterly Course Offerings:

In order to determine what courses are offered each quarter, you can refer to the course schedule found on the iSchool website. This page also includes projected course schedules for future quarters. Please note that the schedule of course offerings is tentative and subject to change.
 

Residential and Law MLIS Registration Procedures:

Residential and Law MLIS students are considered state-supported students. Based on this status, these students should register as follow:
  • Always refer to the “MLIS (Residential) Time Schedule” or the “INFX (Residential) Time Schedule” at the iSchool's course schedule site to determine what courses are offered and spots available in these courses.
  • Register using MyUW. Once you are logged in to MyUW, choose the “Registration” link under the Student Personal Services table. From here you may add and drop courses from your schedule. Courses at the University of Washington are designated by a 5-digit Schedule Line Number, commonly referred to as an “SLN number.” Use the SLN number assigned to the course you wish to add or drop for the designated quarter when using the MyUW registration system.
  • Note the following registration restrictions:
    • Residential/Law students may register for residential (on-campus) LIS core or electives in periods 1, 2, and 3.
    • Residential/Law students may register for online LIS electives in periods 2 and 3.
    • Residential/Law students may register for online core LIS courses in period 3 only.
    • Residential/Law students may register for other iSchool courses (i.e., MSIM or PhD) in periods 2 and 3.

Online MLIS Registration Procedures:

Online MLIS students are considered fee-based students. Based on this status, these students should register as follow:
  • Always refer to the “MLIS (Online) Time Schedule” or the “INFX (All MSIM & Online MLIS) Time Schedule” at the iSchool's course schedule site to determine what courses are offered and spots available in these courses.
  • Register online via the online registration system hosted by UW Professional and Continuing Education (UWPCE) Registration Services.  Go to the UWPCE Information for Admitted Students site  and click on "Online Master of Library and Information Science"; the most current quarter for registration will appear.  Read through the list of courses, as well as the registration procedures and information sections.  Also note that Registration FAQ's for UWPCE's online registration system are available, and important to read prior to trying to register.  UWPCE's online registration system will not open until 8 am of period 1 registration.  Any questions on the registration system or paying tuition may be directed to UWPCE at 206-543-2310 or 800-543-2320 or advisers@pce.uw.edu. 
  • Note the following registration restrictions:
    • Online students may register for online LIS core or electives in periods 1, 2, and 3.
    • Online students may register for residential (on-campus) LIS electives in periods 2 and 3.
    • Online students may register for residential (on-campus) core LIS courses in period 3 only.
    • Online students may register for other iSchool courses (i.e., MSIM or PhD) in periods 2 and 3.

Tuition Exemption Residential MLIS Registration Procedures:

Tuition exempt MLIS students are considered state-supported students. At the iSchool, we do not refer to GA/TA/RA students as tuition exempt students, so these students should disregard this section. Tuition exempt students in the Residential MLIS program students should register as follow:
  • Always refer to the “MLIS (Residential) Time Schedule” or the “INFX (Residential) Time Schedule” at the iSchool's course schedule site to determine what courses are offered and spots available in these courses.
  • Wait to register on your designated day in period 3 (either the third or fourth day of the quarter). Registration is on a space-available basis for tuition-exempt students). Tips for tuition exempt students may be found online. 
  • Register using MyUW. Once you are logged in to MyUW, choose the “Registration” link under the Student Personal Services table. From here you may add and drop courses from your schedule. Courses at the University of Washington are designated by a 5-digit Schedule Line Number, commonly referred to as an “SLN number.” Use the SLN number assigned to the course you wish to add or drop for the designated quarter when using the MyUW registration system.

Add Codes:

Some courses require add codes, specifically entry codes or faculty codes. Please consult the Student Services office if you are in need of an add code. For add codes to non-iSchool courses, contact that instructor or department directly. 


Day-Of Registration Tips:

 
  1. Residential and Law MLIS Students: Registration starts at 6:00 am in period 1 and operates on a first come-first serve basis (or first ones awake and online, first to register). A hint: try registering around 5:50 am, in case it opens up a few minutes earlier. If you have any difficulties registering here are some troubleshooting tips. The majority of the time you’ll solve your own problem by trying the below.
     

    1. Are you using the correct SLN to register?  For residential students, use the SLN (5 digit number) in the RESIDENTIAL Time Schedule?

    2.  Are you trying to register for an online course or MSIM or PhD course right now?  You can't, because it is only period 1 – it is too early!  You have to wait until period 2 registration for an online elective or MSIM or PhD course, or period 3 registration for an online core course.

    3. Is the course full?  The course may simply already be filled up.  You can check this by clicking on the SLN (5-digit number) in the Time Schedule to see how many students are already enrolled. Read below for the “What to do if a class is closed” list of tips.

    4. Are you using your MyUW?  If not, use your MyUW to register.

    5. Still having problems, then contact the Student Services office.

 
  1. Online MLIS Students: UWPCE Registration Services provides you with your registration support. Anyone paying with credit card, debit card, or payment agreement form (financial aid) must register via the online registration system.  If you are registering with a company voucher, then contact UWPCE Registration directly to register (206-543-2310 or 800-543-2320).  
    1. Have you read the Registration FAQ's yet? If not, these FAQ's are helpful for understanding the online registration system, and should be read prior to trying to register. They'll also be helpful for troubleshooting throughout registration.
    2. Note that the online registration system does not open until 8:00 am PST of period 1 registration; link to the system here.

 

What To Do If A Class Is Closed (Full):

 

  1. Residential and Law MLIS Students:  If the course you want is full, here are some things to know if the course you want is full (showing as *closed*):
    1. Don't wait and simply fret over the fact that it filled up.  Try registering for your Plan B or Plan C or even Plan D. 
    2. Student Services cannot overload you into the course.  Even if you have a very compelling reason or really good story, we can't simply bump up the course enrollment.
    3. Please don't email faculty, especially on the first day of registration, pleading for a spot in their closed course. They typically can’t increase the number of spots in their course. 
    4. here are reasons why we set course limits, including space in the classroom and quality of learning.
    5. Who do you approach to try to get into the closed class?  You can try talking with each other, however please do this respectfully. It sometimes works out where the person with that spot in the class you want could be sitting next to you and is flexible about their schedule. At the same time, no student is obligated to give up their spots for someone else, nor should feel badgered to do so. 
    6. There are no waitlists for classes for residential MLIS students.  Student Services cannot save you a spot nor reserve you a spot nor bump another student out of the course to give you a spot.
    7. Be patient. Students typically drop courses.  The trick is to click on the SLN in the Time Schedule and watch the "Current Section Status" often.  As soon as a student withdraws from the course, the spot is shown as available - but only if you click on the SLN and look at that enrollment list.  More students typically drop classes around period 2 registration.
 
  • Online MLIS Students: The UWPCE online registration system will let you know if the class you want is full. If it is full you are put on a waiting list for that course, and will later be alerted if you end up getting a spot in the course. This waiting list only exists for online students (residential students cannot participate in this service from UWPCE, even if they want an online course). There is no way to request that you be moved to the top of the waiting list, or to bypass this list.