New Student Registration FAQs

Center for Academic Success and Achievement

Not sure when or how to register? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding new student registration. As always, please contact Academic Advising by calling 651-523-2912 or emailing advising@hamline.edu if you need help.

When can I register?
Will I receive more information about registration?
I tried to register online but Workday wouldn’t let me. What should I do?
I don’t understand how to register through Workday. What should I do?
Is there someone available to answer questions about classes?
Is someone going to review my schedule, to make sure it looks okay?
Who do I speak to if I need help deciding which classes to take?
I took college classes already. How do I know what classes they are equivalent to at Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK?
Can I change my schedule after I register?
How many credits should I take?
What should I do if the class is full? Should I wait for a seat to open up, or should I just register for another class?
How do I know if there are prerequisites for a class?
It says that I haven't yet met a pre-requisite that I know I have met. What do I do?
Is there any way to take a course that has a prerequisite that I haven't fulfilled?
I want to register for 20 credits but Workday won't let me. How do I do this?
How do I register for an ACTC class? 
I'm registered. What do I do now? Do I just show up on the first day of classes?
I need an instructor's signature in order to add a class. How do I contact an instructor? How do I obtain an instructor's signature?
Are there tutors available?
I want to take a language, but I have little or no background. Should I?
When I try to make a registration change, Workday tells me I have a hold and cannot make changes. What do I do?

  • When can I register?

    New first-year students register on campus at Piper Preview in June and July. Other new students register online through Workday; your registration date depends on your student type and the number of credits you have earned. You can see when you register at the online calendar. You will be able to (and should) register at 7 a.m. on your registration day.

  • Will I receive more information about registration?

    Academic Advising will mail registration packets to new first-year students. Other new undergraduate students (transfer, paralegal, etc.) will be emailed registration information. You should read all materials in this packet before registering. If you did not receive a packet or if you have questions, call Academic Advising at 651-523-2912. First-year students living at international addresses will be emailed registration information.

  • I tried to register online but Workday wouldn’t let me. What should I do?

    Check your registration eligibility. The date you are eligible to register depends on your student status and on the number of credits you have earned. Check your eligibility date at the undergraduate registration guide.

  • I don’t understand how to register through Workday. What should I do?

    First, read the instructions on the Registration Worksheet and . If you still have questions, contact Academic Advising at 651-523-2912 or via email at advising@hamline.edu.

  • Is there someone available to answer questions about classes?

    Yes. Staff from Academic Advising and faculty members from various departments will be on hand during Piper Preview to answer questions and assist you with registration. You may also call Academic Advising at 651-523-2912 or email advising@hamline.edu.

  • Is someone going to review my schedule to make sure it looks okay?

    Yes. The final review of student schedules will occur within a few days after you register. At that time you will receive an email confirmation that your schedule looks good. Alternately, if there are concerns or questions, you will receive a phone call or email about your schedule from an advisor.

  • Who should I speak with if I needed help deciding which classes to take?

    You should speak with advisors in Academic Advising. If you are a first-year student, you may also speak with faculty on hand at Piper Preview (students starting in spring term may simply call or email Academic Advising).

  • I've already taken college classes. How do I know what classes they are equivalent to at Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK?

    You should have a copy of your official transcript sent to the Transfer Articulation Coordinator (TAC) in Student Administrative Services for evaluation. Once your transcript has been evaluated, your Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK transcript will show you how your classes transferred and for which Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK courses you have already received credit. You can also get an idea of course equivalencies by visiting the transfer articulation guide. If you have questions about the status of your transcript, call the TAC at 651-523-2127. If you have additional questions about registration or which courses to take, call Academic Advising at 651-523-2912.

  • Can I change my schedule after I register?

    Yes. Once you have registered and Academic Advising has confirmed your schedule, online registration will be blocked for you. However, you can still change your schedule by calling Academic Advising at 651-523-2912 to request a change. Please check the current enrollment and prerequisites of the class you'd like to add before you call.

  • How many credits should I take?

    As a full-time student, you may take between 12 and 20 credits during your first semester. It is strongly recommended that new degree-seeking students take four 4-credit classes (16 credits) during their first semester. If you anticipate having an exceedingly difficult fall term, you may prefer to take a lighter course load. First-year students rarely enroll for 20 credits during the first term. If you would like to do so, please call Academic Advising at 651-523-2912 to discuss your preparation for such an unusually difficult course load.

  • What should I do if the class is full? Should I wait for a seat to open up, or should I just register for another class?

    Some classes have saved seats for first-years and transfer students. Call Academic Advising to find out.

  • How do I know if there are prerequisites for a class?

    Read the class description in the Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK Undergraduate Bulletin to see if there are prerequisites. You can also check the online class listing in Workday. Be sure to check before you register, as you will not be able to sign up for any class with prerequisites you haven’t met.

  • It says I haven't met a prerequisite that I know I have met. What do I do?

    Ask an advisor in Academic Advising, 651-523-2912. We will look into the situation. If you have met the prerequisite with a transfer course or other credit that is not yet on your Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK transcript, Academic Advising may be able to authorize your registration for the blocked class.

  • Is there any way to take a course that has a prerequisite that I have not fulfilled?

    Generally, prerequisites are put in place by the departments for preparatory reasons. Students should not take classes for which they do not have the prerequisites. On occasion, an instructor may make an exception if, perhaps, the student has similar coursework that the instructor feels may adequately prepare the student for the course. In such cases, the instructor must sign an add card or notify Academic Advising of such approval in order for the student to be registered for the course.

  • I want to register for 20 credits but Workday will not let me. How do I do this?

    For enrollment management purposes, before the first day of classes, students may register for a maximum of 19 credits in the fall and spring terms, and 5 credits in the winter term. Students may add and drop courses on a space-available basis at the beginning of each term for a maximum of 20 credits in the fall and spring terms and 5 credits in the winter term. Students must attend the first day of a class in order to attempt to add the course. It is a considerable undertaking to take on 20 credits/term and should only be considered after consultation with Academic Advising or a faculty advisor.

  • How do I register for an ACTC class?

    New first-year students may only take an ACTC class if they're taking a foreign language not offered at Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK. Students must submit a completed and signed ACTC cross-registration form to Student Administrative Services (East Hall 113) during the first two weeks of the semester. Academic Advising can assist new students in filling out and submitting this form. See additional information in your First-Year Registration Guide, under the "ACTC" heading.

  • I'm registered. What do I do now? Do I just show up on the first day of classes?

    Academic Advising will email you a confirmation once your registration is approved. You will be called by Academic Advising if there are any questions or concerns about your course selection.

  • I need an instructor's signature in order to add a class. How do I contact an instructor? How do I obtain an instructor's signature?

    It is very rare that new students will need to obtain an instructor’s signature in order to register for a course. In many cases, Academic Advising can assist and/or register you for any courses. Transfer students and other students may need an instructor's consent if they have not met certain prerequisites but feel prepared for the course.

  • Are there tutors available?

    Tutors are available for many classes, and there is no cost to students for the service. We provide drop-in tutoring for heavily-requested disciplines such as math, chemistry, biology, and physics. Drop-in tutors’ hours, locations, and subjects are posted at the Academic Advising/Academic Success front desk (lower level of Bush Library). Students may simply stop by during those scheduled times and meet briefly with tutors for the assistance they need. Many students prefer to study in the tutoring area so they are in a convenient position to ask questions as they arise. For courses that do not have established drop-in sessions, we may be able to match students with a tutor. We also have tutors that meet with students on an appointment basis.

  • I want to take a language but I have little or no background. Should I?

    Absolutely! We have beginning level language classes in Chinese and Spanish. In addition, Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK has an agreement with the University of Minnesota, whereby you can enroll in language courses at the U of M, provided they are not offered at Â鶹ÊÓƵAPK or the ACTC schools. For further information on this program, check with Academic Advising.

  • When I try to make a registration change, Workday tells me I have a hold and cannot make changes. What do I do?

    If classes haven't yet started, call Academic Advising at 651-523-2912. We will probably be able to make registration changes for you. If classes have started and you are unable to make schedule changes via Workday, you should speak with your faculty advisor. You may need to fill out an add/drop card and submit it to Student Administrative Services (SAS) in East Hall 113.