Registration Blocks

Various circumstances may prevent you from registering successfully. The most common registration blocks are listed below. For additional assistance, contact winter@umbc.edu.

The course has a prerequisite requirement

Visiting students who attempt to enroll in a course with prerequisite course requirements will initially be blocked from registering. UMBC’s online registration system cannot automatically verify that the prerequisites have been met at a visiting student’s home institution, even when a transcript has been submitted.

If you receive a registration error indicating that you do not have the appropriate prerequisites to enroll in a course, submit a prerequisite override request.

You attempt to enroll in five or more credits

You can enroll in up to 4.5 credits in winter session. Highly motivated and academically strong students who wish to take more than 4.5 credits must first receive approval from their advisor and the Office of Academic and Pre-Professional Advising. To request approval, submit an Enroll for Excess Credits request form.

You attempt to take a course for a third time

You may not register for the same course more than two times. To request permission for a third and final attempt, you must submit a Course Repeat Petition to the Academic Success Center. An attempt is defined as enrollment in a UMBC course (or its equivalent at another institution) in which the student has received a grade or an official withdrawal noted on the transcript.

You have already applied to graduate

Once you apply to graduate, you will be blocked from enrolling in future terms. To register in winter session after applying to graduate in December, contact the Registrar’s Office.

You have a financial hold on your account

Students with unpaid bills cannot register until the outstanding balance is paid. If a financial hold prevents you from enrolling, contact Student Business Services to discuss your situation with a financial counselor.

You attempt to enroll in classes with a time conflict

You cannot register for two courses that share an overlapping meeting pattern. You may be permitted to enroll in some circumstances if the overlap is minimal and BOTH instructors agree to an exception. Complete a time conflict form to request permission.