Students register themselves via Workday for next-semester courses during assigned appointment times and may make adjustments to their registration through the end of the registration period. Students may also withdraw from courses before the withdrawal deadline. See the Academic Calendar for dates.

In this guide...

• Looking for academic planning support before or after registration?
• How should I prepare for registration?
• What should I consider when planning for registration?
• How many units should I register for?
• How do I find a studio elective?
• How do I find a Humanities & Sciences (H&S) elective?
• Can I substitute a course or take a different one?
• Can I register for a course that I'm not eligible for?
• What is a Saved Schedule?
• How do I register?
• Did I register correctly?
• Can I change my registration?
• Need additional help?

It is crucial that you regularly review your academic progress towards degree completion at the start and end of every term, before and after any registration activity, and anytime changes are made.

See Academic Planning Questions.

As soon as you receive notification that registration in next semester courses is approaching, you should take the following steps to prepare:

• Update Personal/Home and Emergency Contact Information and resolve task(s) via Workday
• Check Registration Appointment Window and Any Holds via Workday
• Review Registration Information from Student Records via Portal
• Review your Academic Plan via Workday
• Attend an Academic Planning Workshop (monitor CCA email for days and times)
• Schedule an Advising & Planning Appointment in advance for support

Degree Requirements

Understand your progress towards degree completion and review Academic Programs for additional information on course offerings related to:

• Major programs
• Minors
• Concentrations
• Humanities & Sciences
• Additional studio requirements

Academic Plan and Course Schedule

When selecting course sections for registration as recommended by your program via your Academic Plan, pay special attention to:

• Typical course offerings
• Course eligibility like prerequisites and corequisites
• Section details like description, days, and time

Academic Success

Strategize for academic success. Consider the following when selecting course sections for registration:

• Commute time
• Responsibilities outside of school like work or caregiving
• Total number of classes per day (we recommend no more than three)
• Total number of hours in classes per day (we recommend no more than nine)
• Total number of days in classes per week (we recommend no more than five)

First Year Success

First year students should prioritize completion of the following courses with a C grade or better as they are important prerequisites to most other courses:

• FYCST 1000 Drawing 1, FYCST 1040 2D Studio, FYCST 1080 3D Studio, and FYCST 1120 4D Studio
• HAAVC 1040 Intro to the Arts and HAAVC 1080 Intro to Modern Arts
• WRLIT 1010/1030 Writing 1 and WRLIT 2010/2030 Writing 2
• CRTSD 1500 Foundation in Critical Studies

First year students in their first semester should take no more than 15 units (see How many units should I register for?). We recommend no more than three classes and no more than nine hours in classes per day. We also recommend no classes after 7:15 pm and no more than five days of classes per week to ensure that you get the rest you need.

Full-Time Status

Registration in 12 units is considered full time. However, some students may be required to be registered in at least 12 units that meet degree requirements, specifically. Some exclusions like registration in your final semester apply. See Part-Time Status Guide for potential impacts, including eligibility for financial aid and visa-status, as applicable.

Exceptions may apply. Examples include for students in their final semesters or those with approved reduced course loads.

Our Recommendation

We recommend registration in 15 units per semester in fall and spring to maintain progress toward degree completion, especially in your first semester at CCA. It may be better to focus on successful completion of less than 15 units in certain instances like academic standing on probation, approved accommodations or reduced course load, and/or final semester. The ideal course load balance is three studio and two Humanities & Sciences courses.

More Than 18 Units

Students pay for a maximum of 12 units in the fall and spring and are welcome to register for up to 18 units. In the summer, students may register for up to 9 units. Registering for more than 18 units is unusual and requires written permission and additional tuition. See Unit Overload for details.

What is a studio elective?

To find a studio elective, use the Subject filter on the left-hand side of the CCA Course Schedule to search by undergraduate program. Narrow down results, using the Subject filter to view studios in programs that interest you. Select course sections to review eligibility requirements and verify that you meet them.

Select Add to Schedule to add a course section to a Saved Schedule or select Register during your registration appointment window to register for the course section. If you see Troubleshoot as an option, you may not meet the eligibility requirements for the course.

What is a Humanities & Science (H&S) elective?

To find a 2000-level H&S elective, use the Subject filter on the left-hand side of the CCA Course Schedule to search by H&S program. Course numbers 2000-2999 are considered 2000-level.

To find a 3000-level H&S elective, use the Course Tags filter on the left-hand side of the CCA Course Schedule and select H&S 3000. Course numbers 3000-3999 are considered 3000-level.

Select Add to Schedule to add a course section to a Saved Schedule or select Register during your registration appointment window to register for the course section. If you see Troubleshoot as an option, you may not meet the eligibility requirements for the course.

In certain circumstances, students can request an exception to complete alternative requirements when required courses are not available, conflict with other necessary courses, or potential alternatives may better align with personal goals or needs. While these exceptions are rare, you may contact your academic advisor or program chair to discuss if a course substitution may be beneficial.

Workday will only permit registration into open sections when all eligibility (prerequisite) and co-requisite requirements are met. If you believe there is an error in Workday's assessment of your records and your are sure that you meet all requirements, contact Student Records (studentrecords@cca.edu). In certain circumstances, students can request an exception to override prerequisites. While these exceptions are rare, you may contact your academic advisor to discuss if a prerequisite override may be beneficial.

Saved Schedule is a tool, similar to a wishlist or shopping cart, that allows you to prepare possible course schedules in advance of your Registration Appointment Window. When you are able, you may register from a Saved Schedule as long as no alerts (e.g., time conflict, closed capacity, ineligibility) prevent you from doing so. Registering from Saved Schedule is especially helpful when registering for corequisites, courses that must be taken in the same semester. Always review your registration to confirm successful registration from Saved Schedule.

NOTE: Creating Saved Schedule and/or adding a course to one does not complete your registration.

Regardless of whether or not you were registered for your first semester and/or previous semesters, continuing students are expected to register themselves for next semester courses via Workday. Students are assigned appointment times (i.e., registration times) based on previously completed units during which they can register. Number of previously completed units may vary among students in the same class level. See Registration Information from Student Records.

• Register from a Saved Schedule of selected course sections
• Register from your Academic Plan as recommended by your program
• Register from the CCA Course Schedule linked on the Academics Dashboard

See Register for Courses for instructions including those related to waitlists, closed section registration, cross-level registration, and troubleshooting time conflicts, course sections with the same course number, and inability to register for an open section.

Always confirm your registration by taking the following steps:

• Review your Academic Records and Degree Requirements to ensure that you are registered for courses that satisfy degree requirements
• Review your Academic Plan to confirm that you are following the sequence recommended by your program
• Review your registered courses to verify that you are registered for intended courses

Students can add open courses or drop registered courses through the end of the registration period. They may also withdraw from registered courses before the Withdrawal Deadline.

Check the Academic Calendar for important dates, including those of the registration period and the Withdrawal Deadline.

Adjustments During Registration

• Add open courses for which you meet the prerequisites
• Drop unwanted courses as you will not be dropped
• Swap courses, one open course for a registered course
• These adjustments will not appear on your transcript

NOTE: Whenever adding a course after the start of the semester, be sure to reach out to the instructor immediately to strategize completion of any course material and assignments you may have missed.

Adjustments Before the Withdrawal Deadline

What is the Withdrawal Deadline?

• Review Add, Drop, and Withdrawal policies of the Student Handbook
• Consult the following as necessary:
  • Course Withdrawal Guide
  • Part-Time Status Guide
• Withdraw from course via Workday
• Course withdrawals will appear on your transcript

While both actions remove a course from your schedule, their timing and impact may vary.

Dropping a course

Dropping a course may occur before the end of the registration period and is not reflected on your transcript. Students who drop courses before posted deadlines may be eligible for possible refunds and credits.

Withdrawing From a Course

Withdrawing from a course may occur after the end of the registration period and before the withdrawal deadline (What is the Withdrawal Deadline?). Students who withdraw from courses will receive a W grade on their transcript. W grades do not impact grade point average (GPA) but do indicate an attempted course.

• For assistance with the registration process, contact Student Records (studentrecords@cca.edu)
• For assistance with reviewing your Academic Plan or courses, contact Advising & Planning
• For any questions you have related to your student record, billing, financial aid, student immigration regulations and visa status, and housing and dining, email student services at ask@cca.edu or text (415) 915-2503.