Planning for Registration
Careful planning during the pre-registration period results in a more meaningful process and desired schedule. Students are responsible for their own programs of study, though many resources are available to assist in the registration process.
Before looking at the Schedule of Classes on the college website, www.newpaltz.edu, consider the type of schedule that will lead to academic success. Which courses have been interesting thus far? At what types do you excel? What teaching styles help you learn effectively? How do your choices fulfill general education courses as well as major courses? Are you exploring a possible minor? Is your proposed workload balanced with other commitments? Full-time status is defined as between 12 and 18 credit hours. Generally, one credit represents the equivalent of one hour of lecture or recitation or at least two hours of laboratory work each week for one term. Students are expected to spend approximately two hours outside of class preparing for each hour they spend in class. Remember that while an average load of 15 credits per semester helps keep students on track to graduate in four years, individual circumstances dictate a student’s course load. A workload in excess of 18 hours is usually not advisable, although students with a 3.0 cum at New Paltz will be allowed to register for 20 credits, students without a 3.0 wishing to take 19 credits or more will need approval of the Dean of Academic Advising, in the case of undeclared students, and the faculty advisor and Dean of the student's College, for declared majors.
In the weeks leading to registration, the Office of Records and Registration posts information regarding registration to my.newpaltz.edu. The College Progress Report (CPR), which you can access via my.newpaltz.edu, charts your progress on all degree requirements. Your registration time, an assigned time at which you may begin registering online will also be posted at my.newpaltz.edu. Also important in the registration process is the Undergraduate Studies Catalog, as well as departmental web pages, which students are expected to consult regarding major and minor requirements as well as College policy.
In the weeks before registration, you must meet with your academic advisor to discuss your plan of study. As much as possible, it is best to have a proposed schedule of study AND a list of alternate courses in the event that your ideal choices are closed. As evidence that you have consulted with the advisor, you must obtain an alternate pin from the advisor for use in online registration or you must present a signed registration form at walk-in registration, following advance registration. When you have completed registration, a copy of your semester’s schedule is available at my.newpaltz.edu. You should print a copy of the schedule for your records.
When you are building your schedule, keep in mind that courses which meet General Education requirements may also fulfill major requirements. In fact, many of the courses in the General Education program are also introductory courses in the disciplines in which students may major. A good strategy for choosing courses, therefore, is to select courses in a requirement category, which will also allow you to explore a major. Check with your academic advisor, the Catalog, departmental web pages, or Academic Advising if you have questions about whether a course you are considering applies to both GE and major requirements.
It is also important when choosing courses to determine if there are any pre- or co-requisites for the course. A prerequisite is when another course is required and must be completed before a student can enroll in a course. A corequisite is a course that must be taken simultaneously with a course. Because completion of these pre- and co-requisites is deemed essential to success in the course, a student who registers for a course without having met these requirements can be de-registered at the discretion of the instructor or department chair. Instructors or department chairs may, however, waive prerequisites or co-requisites in individual cases when such a waiver is consistent with the policy of their department. An instructor may also permit a freshman to take a course at the 300 level. Otherwise, freshmen are restricted to 100 and 200 level courses.
With prior approval, a full-time matriculated undergraduate student at New Paltz may take, at no extra charge, a course at other colleges in the Hudson Valley (Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Dutchess, Marist and the Culinary Institute.) when the course is not available at New Paltz. Check with the Registrar for details on Cross Registration.
Student Success Tip
- Make your schedule early
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor early.
- See numbers 1 and 2!
