Course Registration & Degree Planning

1. Log into Student Planning and click the checklist icon to view your academic progress.
2. From here, all remaining requirements will show as 
   "Not Started" in red.
3. To view courses that will fulfill the requirement, click the Search button to be taken to the course catalog.

As always, if you're unsure, contact your academic advisor or the Office of Student Success and Academic Enrichment for guidance.

Foundations & Transformations liberal arts education requirements consist of course topics offered by the College of Arts & Sciences that focus on building critical skills while choosing subjects that interest you. 

It starts with ASC 101: Thinking Through — a selection of around 40 unique courses that will encourage you to dig deeper into a timely topic, step outside of your comfort zone, and learn something new.

From here, you'll begin to complete courses across the humanities, sciences, and social sciences divisions—including ones with special experiences centered around service learning and diversity and skills-building in writing enriched or lab-focused classes.

Take a look at all of the diverse topics you can explore:

• Humanities: Art History, Art Studio, Creative Writing, Dance, English, Fine Arts, French, History, Humanities, Italian, Music, Philosophy, Spanish, Theater, and Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies or African and African American Studies
• Science: Astronomy, Biology, Biological Psychology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Space Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Science
• Social Science: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Communication Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies or African and African American Studies courses when taught by an instructor in the Social Sciences

To learn more about Foundations & Transformations general education requirements for undergraduate students, review the Academic Catalog for the year you started your Widener journey and select either "General Education" or "Academic Policies".

The Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs are your official guides to Widener’s programs, majors, and courses. Think of the catalog as your academic roadmap—it outlines the curriculum you need to follow based on the year you entered Widener. Each catalog is updated annually, and past versions remain available for reference.

Your advisor will help you use the catalog to plan your courses and stay on track, but it’s important to review your catalog yourself so you understand your requirements.

View the Academic Catalog

Student Planning is a great place to start! Follow the steps above to see what courses you need to take and the courses that fulfill the requirement.

Once you know what requirements are left to fulfill, click "Academics" then "Course Catalog" to see what's offered in the upcoming semester.

• To search by interest, click on a course subject.
• To fulfill a Foundations & Transformations requirement, click "Advanced Search" and filter by the "Course Type" you need to complete.

We've also compiled a list of the latest special topics offered for easy exploring! Still unsure what to take? Get the insider scoop on which courses to take by asking your friends, professors, ASC 101 faculty, and advisors.

In Student Planning, you can start mapping out your semester by clicking “Add Course to Plan” next to any class that interests you. Think of this as creating your wish list—it helps you see how different options fit together. 

Remember, adding a course to your plan doesn’t reserve a spot; you’ll officially register and confirm your selections when your registration window opens.

Log into Student Planning

Absolutely. Courses outside your major are considered electives—classes you choose beyond your core degree requirements. Electives are a great way to explore new interests, gain fresh perspectives, and even work toward a minor or certificate that personalizes your education and adds depth to your degree.

Humanities

Science

Social Science

ASC 101: Thinking Through

ASC 401: Thinking Forward

Some of the most exciting ways to customize your unique academic journey—like co-ops/internships, studying or interning abroad, pursuing a minor or certificate, or a 4+1 accelerated master’s program—require planning ahead. These opportunities can affect your course sequencing, so it’s important to talk them through with your advisor early.

Your advisor can help you:

• Map out how these experiences fit into your overall degree plan
• Make sure you’re meeting prerequisites and staying on track to graduate
• Explore summer options to free-up your fall or spring semesters
• Identify campus resources to support your goals

The earlier you start these conversations, the more flexibility you’ll have to take advantage of everything Widener offers. 

Explore FAQs for customizing your academic journey

When is Course Registration

• First-year students schedule their classes during Summer Registration
• First-year pre-advising day for spring registration is in October
• Spring registration begins November
• Fall registration begins in April

To find your unique registration time, log into Student Planning and look for a blue alert like this:

For additional support with course registration, view the additional FAQs below or contact the Office of Student Success and Academic Enrichment.

If Student Planning isn’t letting you register, don’t worry—it will display an error message explaining why. Common reasons include:

• The course is closed/full
• Prerequisites have not been met
• You’re trying to repeat a course
• There’s a timing conflict with your schedule
• There's a hold on your account

👉 Tips: 

• If one course is blocking registration, remove it and register for your other selections first. Then connect with your advisor to resolve the issue.
• If a course is full, click “View Other Sections” to see if another time is available. Still no luck? Talk with your advisor, the professor, or department chair. In some cases, they can approve adding you to a closed section and notify the Registrar’s Office for special permission.

Still stuck? Contact the Office of Student Success and Academic Enrichment at studentsuccess@widener.edu.

You can add or drop a course during the first week of each semester. After this add/drop period, any schedule changes should be discussed in a supportive meeting with your advisor.

To withdraw from a class or take a break, schedule an appointment with your advisor or the Office of Student Success and Academic Enrichment to review your options and next steps.

To drop a course in Student Planning, select the "Drop" button next to the course in the Schedule tab on the Plan & Schedule page.

Some instructors may “publish” the course in Canvas a week or two before the semester begins, so you have time to purchase books and review the syllabus. View required textbooks—even if the course is not yet published—through the Widener bookstore. 

You can view your current and upcoming class schedules in Student Planning, found in your self-service portal. Once you log in, navigate to Student Planning → Plan & Schedule to see your course list, meeting times, and locations.

Trust your gut and know there's always room to change your mind. Only you can decide what's most important to you. 

For support and guidance, your academic advisor, Career Design and Development Office, and Student Success and Academic Enrichment Office are also here to help you think through your interests, career goals, and timeline so you can choose the best fit.

Yes! Many students pair these opportunities. It all comes down to intentional scheduling and maximizing your Foundations and Transformations general education electives when possible to advance your studies and ensure you stay on track. 

Your advisor will help make sure your schedule works to support your goals and provide transparency if your aspirations may require additional time (e.g., summer courses).

Widener’s Accelerated Advantage program lets you take select graduate courses during your junior and senior years that count toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This not only helps you finish in five years instead of six, but also saves you money—you’ll pay the standard undergraduate tuition rate for those graduate courses, rather than the higher graduate per-credit rate.

If interested in pursuing a 4+1, consult with your academic advisor at the start of your junior year. As long as you meet the academic requirements, you can apply for one of the qualifying master’s degree programs.

You can make many changes directly in Student Planning, such as adding courses or switching sections, but some changes—like adding a minor or certificate, or choosing a double major, etc.—may require approval from your academic advisor or the department. 

To pursue a 4+1, you will need to submit a graduate application for one of the qualifying master's programs during your junior year.

Always check with your advisor first to ensure your plan stays on track for graduation.

• Double Major: You complete the requirements for two majors, but earn one bachelor’s degree (for example, a Bachelor of Arts with majors in English and creative writing).
• Dual Degree: You complete the requirements for two separate degrees, which may be in different schools or colleges (for example, a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish). This path typically requires additional credits and may take longer to finish.

• Minor: A set of courses that add depth in an academic subject alongside your major (e.g., a minor in African and African American Studies or Business).
• Certificate: A shorter, skills-based program that provides specialized training in a specific area (e.g., Legal Studies Certificate or Professional Writing Certificate).

Unsure which to choose? Widener hosts minor and certificate fairs each fall and spring, during which you can explore all our academic areas and the many opportunities available to enrich your educational experience.

You can also explore minor and certificate offerings on widener.edu:

• Undergraduate minors and certificates
• Adult and continuing studies minors and certificates