Prerequisites

Note: The information below applies to non-degree students enrolling into University+ classes. If you are a non-degree student enrolling in University-Scheduled courses and encountering course prerequisite issues, please review the information here.

Non-degree students are not required to be coded in SPIRE, the UMass Amherst student information system, as having met course prerequisites before enrolling into University+ courses (although, it is always recommended that non-degree students have actually satisfied the course prerequisites for classes they want to enroll in). The University Registrar’s Office can assist non-degree students with bypassing course prerequisites in SPIRE, however, some departments have implemented their own policies for non-degree students seeking exceptions to course prerequisites for University+ courses.

Depending on the course you want to enroll in, please review the instructions below:

For ECON courses, all prerequisites must be met. Non-degree students should email a copy of their transcript to @email for permission to enroll. Be sure to include your name, SPIRE ID, term, and class you want to enroll in (e.g. John Smith, 12345678, Spring 2018, ECON 204, #61505).

For MATH and STAT courses with prerequisites, non-degree students should email a copy of their transcript to Garret Cahill at @email for permission to enroll. Be sure to include your name, SPIRE ID, term, and class you want to enroll in (e.g. John Smith, 12345678, Summer 2022, MATH 233, #40982).

For COMPSCI, CICS, or INFO courses, non-degree students must submit an override request if they do not meet the prerequisite and/or eligibility requirements as listed.

After submitting the override request, REPLY ALL to the auto-generated submission confirmation email with the following information for our faculty’s review.

Statement about programming background with supporting pdf documentation for instructor review.
Course syllabi are required for any relevant programming courses.
Your name, SPIRE ID, term, and class you want (e.g. John Doe, 12345678, Summer 2019, COMPSCI 187, # 21927).

Questions about overrides for the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences can be directed to @email.

For courses with eligibility requirements, the University Registrar’s Office cannot assist without explicit permission from the instructor or department. These are courses that are restricted specifically to majors or programs. Non-degree students must contact the instructor or department directly for permission to enroll in the course. You can find instructor contact information using the People Finder directory search. Department contact information is typically available on the department’s website – please use the A-Z Website List to find the department you want to contact.

For all other course prerequisite overrides, non-degree students can contact the University Registrar’s Office at @email. In your email, please provide your name, your 8-digit SPIRE ID, the semester you are requesting enrollment for and the class information (including subject, course number, and 5-digit class #). Permissions will be entered into SPIRE and non-degree students will be able to enroll themselves into the requested course.