CSUCI Guided Registration Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is guided registration for first-year students?
During the registration portion of your First-Year Advising & Registraton session, you will have five (5) pre-selected courses to enroll into for the fall semester. For most students, at least two (2) courses will be part of a learning community.
2. How were my pre-selected classes determined?
Courses were selected based on a variety of factors including academic roadmaps and responses to the Joining the Pod survey (Fall 2023 survey closed on June 2nd) . Additionally, academic departments and academic advisors provided input to help guide you into classes to ensure progress towards your degree from your first semester.
Some of the classes you will see in your fall schedule will be part of a "learning community"'; others may be “major” classes (classes that are required for your major); some are “support” classes (classes that are meant to support the material that you learn for your major, for instance, math classes are considered “support” classes for biology majors); and finally, some are “general education” classes (see General Education).
3. What is a Learning Community?
Learning Communities are cohorts of students in the same classes with a common theme and support provided by embedded peer mentors. You will be able to rank your Learning Community preferences in the Joining the Pod survey (Fall 2023 survey closed June 2nd). Learn more about Fall 2023 Learning Community options on their website. Please note, some Learning Communities have a high demand and may fill up. Priority was assigned based on when the survey was completed.
4. Is there anything I can do to help ensure that my block schedule reflects my interests and preferences?
You can assist the Registrar’s Office to best prepare your fall block schedule by completing the CSUCI Joining the Pod Survey. This survey is emailed to new students who have accepted their offer of admission and have signed up for an Advising & Registration session. Students will receive the survey in early May and will be given a deadline of when it needs to be completed. The survey includes questions related to incoming transfer credit, test scores, English composition selection, and learning community interest.
If you have any questions regarding the survey, you can reach out to the Registrar's Office at registrar@csuci.edu.
4. I was placed in a higher Math course than I would like to be in. I think I would feel more comfortable in a lower level Math course. Can I do this?
Yes, but be sure to discuss with your academic advisor before changing your schedule. CSUCI data shows students are coming to CSUCI with the necessary knowledge to be successful in the course they are place in, based off of Multiple Measures.
Course descriptions on what content is covered in Math courses can be found in the University Catalog. Search under “General Education Requirements, General Education Areas and Courses,” and by Area B4: Mathematics-Quantitative Reasoning.
Read more about selecting your math course on the Appropriate Math/Quantitative Reasoning Course by Major website.
If you are still wary of the Math course you are placed in, contact Academic Advising to discuss how it will affect your degree progress. Students can make changes to their class schedule through the first three weeks of the semester. This means you could wait to attend the class the first week and then make a better assessment on taking the course.
5. I’m not enrolled in all of the classes list in my first fall of the roadmap. Is this okay?
Yes. For most majors, the roadmap is just one way students can complete their degree, so if you are not enrolled in any or all of the classes, please read all the way through before feeling alarmed.
Classes are chosen based on many factors including AP/IB credit, transfer credit, course availability, major pathway, Math placement, interest in learning communities, extra-curricular obligations and future academic goals.
The roadmap is a tool for students to see how they can complete their degree requirements. It takes into consideration the pre-requisites of courses and provides an order in which courses can be taken. When looking at your roadmap, make sure you are in the necessary pre-requisites to progress in your major courses. If you are not enrolled for a pre-requisite course for a major course that you will be taking next semester (spring), then you can contact Academic Advising to see if this is a concern. Otherwise, you were block enrolled into degree applicable classes and can enroll for these courses that are listed during the first year later in your CSUCI career.
6. How do I make changes to my class schedule?
Your academic department and academic advisors carefully selected the courses in your block schedule. All of the courses are recommended to be taken in your first semester of your first year.
Most students do not need to make changes to their block schedule. We discourage first year students from adjusting their schedules unless they need to add additional units of a different class based on credit not yet reflected in their academic record.
Approved reasons to make a change to your block schedule
- You are not enrolled in enough units
- Your department recommends you add an additional course
- You were placed in a class that you already received credit for (AP/IB) or community college credit)
- You have changed your academic major
- You decided to attend CSUCI as a part-time student
Reasons NOT to make a change to your block schedule
- You don't like the time
- You don't want to take that many units but want to remain a full-time student
We understand that there can be a variety of personal reasons and preferences a student may desire to change their schedule. If you want to discuss the possibility to make changes to your block schedule, please do the following:
- Check your Student Center for your registration time. Each new student will have a scheduled time when they can begin making changes to their schedule.
- Talk to an advisor at the Academic Advising office.
- Review information on how the registration system works
7. How does registration work at CSUCI?
CSUCI has a variety of important registration tools. Please take the time to review the different registration tools and resources to understand how they can assist you throughout your time at CSUCI.
8. I want to change my major. Can I change my schedule to reflect this?
The only program students cannot change into is Nursing; otherwise, you are free to change to any other major during Advising & Registration or summer. You can submit a Request for Change of Major form online.
There might be some classes you can take that will double count for your current major and the prospective major. Contact Academic Advising to discuss the best plan for course selection.
9. I do not want to take an early morning or late evening class.
Some students prefer taking classes during the middle of the day but CSUCI offers classes from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. to accommodate approximately 7,000+ students. We recommend that you do not change your schedule because you do not like the time. Please note that if you drop a class, there is no guarantee you can get back into the class. We recommend you contact your advisor to discuss your scenario before dropping a class.
Additionally, safety is a high priority at CSUCI. Resources are available for evening transportation around campus. Please see these resources offered through the Campus Safety Escort Program.
10. How many units should I take each semester?
For undergraduates, full time is 12 or more units; three quarter time is 9 to 11 units; half time is 6 to 8 units; and less than half time is fewer than 6 units. CSUCI recommends that undergraduates enroll in an average of 15 units per semester or 30 units per year to graduate in four years. There is a maximum unit limit of 18 units per semester.
11. When will I get my Fall semester class schedule?
Your finalized block schedule will be made available late-June, just before your scheduled Advising & Registration session. Prior to that time, you may see classes reflected in your Student Center but please note that updates are ongoing until the evening prior to your schedule being formally released.
To locate your schedule, access the myCI portal and click the “CI Records” icon. You will see your schedule reflected in your Student Center. You have been officially enrolled in the courses you see reflected in your Student Center.
Please avoid making changes to your fall block schedule without consulting an academic advisor. The Registrar’s Office makes very intentional efforts in placing you into classes that align with the road map for your major. If you really believe that you have to make changes to your schedule, please talk to your academic advisor . You will be able to change your schedule once your enrollment appointment begins and throughout the summer.
NOTE: If newly admitted first-year students have earned college transfer credit, transcripts must be received by July 14th. Any transcripts received by July 14th will be evaluated and posted to the student’s record prior to the start of the fall semester. Transcripts received later may have a delay getting posted to the student’s record. Students can review our Transfer Credit webpages for details.
12. What are the different ways that classes are being offered at CSUCI?
There are six different modalities of instruction being offered at CSUCI:
- Synchronous (online)
- Asynchronous (online)
- Sync/Async Hybrid (online)
- In Person
- In Person/Sync Hybrid
- In Person/Async Hybrid
Definitions of modalities and instructions on how to search for classes by modality can be found in a . short video tutorial.
13. I am not planning on physically coming to campus in Fall but I have been block scheduled into an in-person class. What do I do?
Again, it is extremely important that you speak with an Academic Advisor before making any changes to your block schedule.
14. Will I be guided into classes for the Spring 2024 semester?
If you did not complete your GE Area A2 (Written Communication) and/or GE Area B4 (Mathematics-Quantitative Reasoning) in the Fall semester, you will be guided into these GE Areas. All students must complete A2 and B4 during their first academic year. Additionally, if you are part of a Learning Community that also has a Spring course, you will be guided into that particular course with the rest of your cohort. You will not be guided into a full-time schedule for Spring 2024 and will need to enroll in additional classes to fill out your schedule.
15. How do I choose classes for Spring 2024 if I don't have guided registration?
Please refer to your Degree Planner and your CI Academic Requirements Report (CARR) to see which classes to add to your schedule for the spring semester. Note: If you have credit for or have taken all of the recommended classes in your first year before the year ends, you are encouraged to choose from classes recommend for your second year. Before you choose your classes for your spring term as well as any other future terms, you are also highly encouraged to speak with an academic advisor.
16. What happens if I have a hold on my account?
You will NOT receive a spring block schedule if you have a hold on your account. You are responsible to clear the hold(s) on your account. Holds are viewable in your Student Center on the upper right-hand side. Typically, students might have holds for the following reasons:
- Outstanding tuition/fees
- Missing required immunizations
17. How can I find more information about Degree Planner?
Degree Planner is a degree planning tool which provides you with a personalized, pre-populated path to graduation. Your path contains a sequence of courses that you are encouraged to regularly adjust to accurately reflect your future plans.
All undergraduate students are encouraged to use the Degree Planner as academic departments access this data for course planning purposes. They try to accommodate your academic plans so you are able to enroll in the classes you need to graduate on time.
Maintaining your Degree Planner improves your odds of getting your desired courses.
18. Where can I find my Degree Planner?
Your Degree Planner is located in your Student Center. Once you log into your myCI portal, click the “CI Records” icon. The link to your Degree Planner is on the upper left-hand side.
19. My Degree Planner displays courses that are not the courses recommended by my Academic Advisor or my Department. What should I do?
Because coursework may still be getting posted for the fall term, you may see discrepancies between planned courses in Degree Planner and what you actually intend to take. You should work with an Academic Advisor for guidance on recommended coursework for your first term at CSUCI. Once you log in and begin to use Degree Planner to plan future terms, you will see a higher level of accuracy in interaction between Degree Planner and Schedule Planner.
20. How do I use Degree Planner?
Review our webpage dedicated to Degree Planner and view video tutorials.
21. How can I confirm CSUCI received by AP/IB scores?
If we received your scores, you will see them posted in your Student Center under Transfer Credit: Report after they have been processed.
22. What requirements did my AP/IB scores satisfy at CSUCI?
To see the breakdown of which CSUCI requirements were met by your AP/IB scores, review your Transfer Credit: Report in your Student Center. The Test Credit details show the scores you received credit for and the right-hand column titled “CI Course” shows the requirement(s) that your scores have satisfied.
For additional information on how test credit transfers to CSUCI, visit the Transfer Credit/External Exams webpage.
23. Has my transfer work been received and processed by CSUCI?
All transcripts and test scores received by July 14th will be reflected in your Transfer Credit: Report and CI Academic Requirements Report (CARR) prior to the start of the fall semester. If you submit transcripts after July 14th, there may be a delay in your transfer credit being posted to your record at CSUCI.
24. How does the Degree Planner handle Undeclared students?
The Degree Planner is based on major roadmaps but it will still populate suggested courses. Students can follow three tracks: Non-STEM; STEM Interest; or Business/Economics. Undeclared students should indicate which track they are interested in on their Block Scheduling survey.