Common Error Messages

Time conflict with [CRN]: The meeting times for this class overlaps with a class you are already registered in.

Duplicate Course with [CRN]: This means you have already registered for a different section of this course in the same term. To view the classes you are registered in:

  1. Go to the Registration page in PAWS and select "Register for Classes"
  2. Select "Register for Classes" again
  3. Select the applicable term
  4. In the schedule, schedule details and summary panels at the bottom part of the page, view the classes you are registered in

This course is an equivalent to [CRN]: You may see this error if you have already registered for a class that is equivalent to this one or if you try to register for equivalent classes at the same time. You cannot take two classes that are equivalent to each other.

For example, Stats 242, 244, 245, and 246 are all considered to be equivalent, and a student may only receive credit for one. 

Linked sections: You must also register in a [section] at the same time: Some classes require that you register for both a lecture section and a lab, tutorial, seminar or practicum section at the same time. If you register in the lecture without the lab, seminar, etc. or in the lab, seminar, etc. without the lecture, you will receive this error. The error will also include information about the specific type of section you must register in.

To view the lab, seminar, tutorial or practicum sections that are associated with a lecture:

  1. Go to the Registration page in PAWS and select "Register for Classes"
  2. Select "Browse Classes"
  3. Enter your search criteria
  4. Select "Required Links" by the lecture you would like to take
  5. Record the course reference number (CRN) for the lecture and the linked lab, seminar, tutorial or practicum

Corequisite SUBJ CNUM required: Corequisites are two courses that must be taken in the same term. This error message means that you have not selected all necessary corequisite courses.  <SUBJ#> indicates the subject and <CNUM> indicates the course number of the missing course.  To apply for a corequisite waiver, click on the Prereq/Coreq waiver form link and follow the instructions.

Corequisite example: If GE 111 has GE 101 as a corequisite, and you attempted to register in GE 111 without also registering in GE 101 (at the same time) you would receive the following registration information message: Corequisite GE 101 required

This class is filled for students in your program: Some spots in this class are reserved for students in your college, program, etc. but those spots are filled. Contact the department to request approval to take the class.

Reserved Seating: You may receive an error message that a class is full even when you can see there are available seats. Certain classes have seats reserved for students in specific programs or Learning Communities. The Reserved Seats column indicates the number of unreserved and reserved seats. Unclaimed reserved seats in fall and winter term classes are released in early July and throughout the summer.

This class is not open to students in your[ ]: A message like this will appear if the class has been restricted to students in certain colleges, degrees, departments, fields of study (majors, minors, or concentrations), levels, programs and/or year in program.
If you do not meet the restriction but wish to request approval to take the class, contact the department offering the class or, for non-departmentalized colleges, contact the dean’s office of the college offering the class. If you have requested approval to take the class, you can check to see if you have been granted an override by using the Check Your Registration Status link in PAWS.

Maximum Hours Exceeded: You have exceeded the number of credits that you are allowed to take in this term. Contact your college to request approval to take more credits in this term.

Departmental Approval Required: If a class requires departmental approval, it will be listed in italics under the class title on the class search results page. Please consult with the department offering the course regarding getting permission. You can check to see if you have departmental approval for a class by using the Check Your Registration Status link. Departmental approvals include:

  • Instructors Signature Required
  • Departmental Approval Required
  • Deans Office Approval Required
  • U of S Int'l Approval Required

Prerequisite error - click Title for details: This error indicates you do not have the necessary prerequisite course(s) for the course—select the class title to view prerequisites applicable to the class section. To apply for a prerequisite waiver, complete the Prereq/Coreq Waiver form and follow the instructions.

You cannot take this class because you have already received credit for [SUBJ CNUM]: This indicates that you may have already taken or received transfer credit for a course that is very similar to this one. Contact your college to request approval to take this course.

You have already received credit for this course or its equivalent: This indicates that you may have already taken or received transfer credit for a course that is very similar to this one. Contact your college to request approval to take this course.

Inactivation of student status: Students will be unable to register in classes if they have been inactivated due to either graduation or not registering for classes for four terms. If your student status has been inactivated, please contact admissions to have your status reviewed.

Adding and dropping classes

View our tutorials for step-by-step instructions and videos to help you learn about registration.

Get permission for a class

You may need permission for the following

  • Class Overrides
  • Late enrolment or registration changes
  • Permission to Audit and/or Change of Audit/Credit Status
  • Prerequisite and/or Corequisite Waiver

Getting help

Help! PAWS still won’t let me register!

If you’re still having problems registering, you can contact Student Central for help. The registration access dates are the busiest days of the year at Student Central, so be prepared for longer-than-average wait times.