1. What is a CRN?

A CRN is a Course Reference Number. This 5 digit number identifies the course name, number and section.

2. Where can I find a CRN?

CRN's are found in the online or hardcopy version of the Schedule of Classes or the hardcopy Schedule of Classes. In the online Schedule, the CRN is listed after the course title. In the hardcopy of the Schedule, it is listed next to the course meeting date.

3. After searching the Schedule of Classes for courses that fit my list of criteria, how do I print my findings?

Select File, select Page Setup, select Landscape, select OK. Then, select Print.

4. How do I reset my PIN?

If you have never accessed the system, go to https://patriotweb.gmu.edu and click on the link to "Login to Patriot Web Self Service". Go to the highlighted "GMU ID Search Directory" link to view your Student ID (G#). Your initial default 6-digit PIN, which you will use to access Patriot Web, is your birth month, day and year in the format MMDDYY. (e.g., March 1, 1980 = 030180). If you have accessed the system before, enter your UserID and click on the the "Forgot PIN button". If you are unable to access the system, please contact George Mason's ITU Support Center. Their offices are located in Innovation Hall, Room 233. Their phone number is (703) 993-8870.

5. How do I find the number of openings (seats) that are available or left in a course?

Within the online Schedule of Classes, once the desired course is located, you may click the hyperlink (which includes the Course name, CRN, Course Number and Section). This will bring you to the Detailed Class Information and Registration Availability s ections. Within Registration Availability you will find the number of seats available, taken and waitlisted.

6. How do I register for a course that has a time conflict with another course on my schedule?

You must obtain a force add slip signed by both instructors in which both instructors acknowledge the time conflict. Refer to questions 15 and 16 for more information about the force-add process.

7. I have a hold; what is it, and what should I do about it?

A hold may be placed on a student's account for a number of reasons by offices such as parking services, cash office, library, student health etc. Some holds prevent registration. Check on Patriot Web (Student Services and Financial Aid/Student Records/ View Holds) to determine what type of hold you have, then contact the department that has placed the hold on your account in order to resolve the hold. Contact the phone number of the hold originator for more information. Financial holds (i.e. parking s ervices or cash office) will prevent the release of transcripts.

8. I am a senior citizen; how do I register?

You must first be admitted to the University. Most senior citizens opt to enroll as Non-Degree students. After admission, you will register for your courses using Patriot Web. Contact the Registrar's Office to apply your audit grade type to your courses. The Registrar's Office will notify Student Accounts to apply your tuition waiver. You must contact our office after enrolling each semester, and prior to the tuition due date.

9. I am a George Mason University employee; how do I register?

You must first be admitted to the University. After admission, you will register for your courses as all George Mason students do. Contact the Office of Student Accounts to request your employee waiver. You must contact the Office of Student Accounts e ach semester you register, in order to receive your waiver.

10. How do I register for an individualized section (independent study)?

Contact the department in which the course is offered to obtain permission from the department chair. Individualized section forms are located at the Registrar's Office or on our website at http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms.html . Bring the completed and signed form to the Registrar's Office by the last day to add (see date listed in the Schedule of Classes).

11. How do I register for a closed or controlled 100 level Math course?

You must contact the Math Department in order to register for closed or controlled 100 level Math courses. The Registrar's Office does not accept force adds for these courses.

12. What does taking a course "satisfactory/no credit" (also referred to as "pass-fail" or "credit without grade") mean?

Undergraduates may take up to six credit hours to be graded S-NC. This applies only to electives outside the major field. Graduate students may take courses as S-NC only for courses that will not be used for degree or certificate requirements.

13. How do I obtain satisfactory/no credit?

Credit without Grade (Satisfactory/No Credit) forms are located at the Registrar's Office or on our website at http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms.html . Your instructor must sign your form to grant you permission. Bring the signed form to the Registrar's Office for processing by the last day to add the course (see Schedule of Classes for the date appropriate to your course).

14. How do I exceed my credit load?

Graduate students must contact their department chair, undergraduate students must contact the dean of their college, and non-degree students must contact the Dean of the college with which they are linked, to obtain permission to exceed their credit load .

15. How do I force add a class?

Students may contact the course instructor or department to request a force add. Your department or instructor has force add slips and will provide you those signed slips if your request is granted. Bring this form to the Registrar's Office for processing by the last day to add. Please consult your academic calendar for add deadlines. Add deadlines for each course may vary according to the end date of the course. NOTE: Courses within the School of Management are exempt from these procedures.

16. What is a "controlled enrollment"?

In some instances, departments may control available seats for a particular course. You must contact the department for more information.

17. Will the Registrar's Office accept an emailed force add?

Yes, however force adds must be sent to the student's Mason email account from the instructor's Mason email account. The email must contain the following information: the student's name, id number, course name, section number, meeting date and time. Students should then print out the email and bring it to the Registrar's Office by the last day to add. Force adds are not accepted electronically.  Please note:  We are not able to accept e-mailed force adds from all departments.  Please call (703) 993-2441 before attempting to force add in this way. 

18. What does "audit" mean?

Students do not receive grades or credit for audited courses. The tuition fee is the same amount for both audit and credit courses. The credit hours will not count into your semester or cumulative attempted hours or earned hours.

19. How do I audit a course?

Students who wish to audit a course must receive permission from the instructor. Students may obtain the Course Audit form at the Registrar's Office or online at http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms.html . Bring the signed form to the Registrar's Office for processing by the last day to drop the course.

20. When is the last day to change a course to audit status or vice versa?

The last day to change a course from credit to audit status or vice versa is the last day to drop the course. Please consult your academic calendar for drop deadlines. Drop deadlines for each course may vary.

21. May I register after the add deadline?

No, only the Chair of the Department offering the course may grant permission to register for the course, if circumstances warrant an exception to policy. The Late Schedule Adjustment Form, if approved by the Department Chair, must be signed by Student Accounts before it is taken to the Registrar's Office for processing.

22. May I drop after the drop deadline?

No, students must drop any course they will not complete by the drop deadline for that course. If students feel that they have non-academic circumstances that would warrant an exception to policy, they may appeal to their Academic Dean/Director for permission to withdraw. A grade of 'W' will be assigned to those courses and students will still be financially liable for tuition. The Withdrawal Form or Late Schedule Adjustment Form, if approved by the Dean, must be signed by Student Accounts before it is taken to the Registrar's Office for processing.