Handbook | Enrollment | Registration
a. Registration
All graduate students must enroll using SPIRE, the University's online student information system, at https://spire.umass.edu every semester, both Spring and Fall, from initial Graduate School enrollment until their degree (or certificate) has been awarded. A graduate student maintains his/her enrollment each semester by either registering for course/thesis/dissertation credits or by registering for Continuous Enrollment (GradSch 999) and paying the Program Fee. Registration begins in mid-April for the fall semester and for the spring semester in mid-November. (Refer to the Academic Calendar or correspondence from the Graduate School for exact beginning and ending dates.) It is important for students to register as early as possible for finanical aid purposes, assistantships, and other university services. Off-campus and online students are required to enroll each semester by contacting their program or the Graduate School (see #8 for additional information).
1. Course Listings:
A Schedule of Course Offerings can be viewed on SPIRE. Course descriptions are listed in the Graduate Bulletin and in PDF Format online through the Registrar. Changes to the Schedule of Course Offerings will be posted to the Web each semester a couple weeks before registration day.
2. Registration Day
The day preceding the first day of class is considered to be Registration Day. Faculty and staff are generally available for counseling and for considering requests for course exceptions.
3. Registration Deadline:
The tenth class day of the semester is considered the registration deadline. Registration (Add/Drop) is accomplished by using SPIRE.
4. Course Exceptions/Off-Line (Restricted) Courses:
Some courses are not available for registration through SPIRE either due to manual prerequisite checking or other departmentally set limitations. Permission must be obtained from the academic department/instructor to register for such courses. A student must seek permission and submit the required departmental approval form to the department office prior to the end of the registration deadline, the tenth class day of the semester.
5. Continuous Enrollment/Program Fee:
Graduate students not enrolled for course/thesis/dissertation credits and who are candidates for a degree (or certificate) must pay the Program Fee and register for Continous Enrollment every semester until that degree (or certificate) has been formally awarded, not simply filed for. An incomplete grade (INC/IP) from a previous semester does not maintain a graduate student's enrollment status. Newly admitted graduate students cannot register for Continuous Enrollment or pay the Program Fee to defer entrance into the University, nor is Continuous Enrollment applicable for Non-Degree graduate students. Before the end of the registration period, graduate students may register for Continuous Enrollment (Gradsch 999) in SPIRE. The student will then receive a bill for the Program Fee from the Bursar's Office. If the student wishes to pay by credit card, the Graduate Records Office should be contacted by the registration deadline.
6. Penalty for Not Enrolling by the Deadline:
Any graduate student who has not registered for course/thesis/dissertation credits is routinely withdrawn from the University. Any graduate student wishing to enroll after being withdrawn must be formally readmitted, and pay a $50.00 Readmission Fee, in addition to paying any current tuition and/or fee charges, and any accumulated Program Fees. Readmission is not automatic; the former student's reapplication may be evaluated in competition with those of other current applicants.
7. What to do if My Record is on Hold.
Holds are placed on a student's record when an action by the student is required before the student can register. Typical holds include an outstanding bill, admissions materials missing, or overdue documentation of a milestone (such as passing the comprehensive examination, appointing a thesis/dissertation committee or submitting a prospectus). It is necessary to resolve the problem and have the hold removed as quickly as possible as you are not able to register until it is removed. To find out why you have a hold and get it removed, refer to "Hold" on SPIRE listed under "Personal Portfolio." You are responsible for having the hold removed and registering before the registration deadline - no extensions are given.
8. Off-Campus Graduate Program Registration:
Graduate students enrolling in off-campus recognized graduate programs must comply with the same registration deadlines as on-campus graduate students. Registration information is distributed to students by each program. Registration methods vary by program and may be conducted at an off-campus site by University personnel, by mail, by telephone, by fax, or on-line. A student admitted to an off-campus degree program who does not enroll for course credits must pay the Program Fee and register for Continuous Enrollment.
9. Summer/Winter Session Registration:
Summer/Winter Session registration is conducted through the Division of Continuing Education and is optional for graduate students unless it it required for your financial aid or stipend. Graduate students may elect to enroll in any summer session course offering or for any remaining thesis or dissertation credits. The maximum number of dissertation credits which may be earned during a summer is nine (9). Registration for Continuous Enrollment and payment of the Program Fee is not required for the summer. To use the University Library during the summer months, an active student identification card from the preceding spring semester is recognized.
