Step 1: Access Accounts

Before you begin planning your courses for your first semester, there are a few administrative tasks you'll need to do.

  • Set up Catholic University Email and Cardinal Students

    All communication to students, including advising information, is delivered to your Catholic University Cardinal Mail account.

    There are two steps to activate your email and other Catholic University accounts.

    1. Change your password.
    2. Enroll in 2-Factor Authentication
    Your email username and password are also used for the main student database, Cardinal Students.

  • Accept the Statement of Financial Responsibility

    Read and accept the Statement of Financial Responsibility by logging into Cardinal Students and selecting the Student Account tile, followed by the menu option for Financial Responsibility. You will have an Enrollment Services hold on your account that will prevent you from registering for classes until you accept the statement. The full text of the statement can be found on the enrollment services website.

Step 2: Determine Your Class Schedule

There are many factors that can affect which courses you take in the fall semester. Here's what to do to figure that out.

  • Send in AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and other transfer courses

    Credits from AP, IB, and college courses taken during high school (dual enrollment) can affect which courses you take in the fall. These credits could fill liberal arts requirements, count toward your major, or provide math and language placement.

    If you have completed any AP or IB exams, you'll need to send your scores directly from College Board to Catholic University. The school code is 5104. 

    If you have completed any dual enrollment or other transfer courses, you'll need to work with the transfer credit office to receive your credits. 

    The transfer credit process can take some time, but your Academic and Career Advisor will be able to help you through it. Find more information on AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and other transfer credits here.

  • Determine math and language placement

    Many majors have a language requirement or require math placement. There are several ways to determine math and language placement depending on the specifics of your major, the classes you took in high school, and your prior experiences. You can always consult with your advisor for assistance on what your major requires.

    Music majors will need to take the music theory placement exam over the summer. The School of Music, Drama, and Art will send information on how and when to take this exam.

  • Meet with CACS advisor or attend group advising session

    Early in June, you will receive an email from your Academic and Career Advisor with information on how to make an appointment. Your major may also have group advising sessions that you can attend virtually over the summer. You will have a hold on your account that will prevent you from registering for classes until you meet with your advisor or attend a session. 

Step 3: Enroll in Classes

Using Cardinal Students, you will enroll in your classes for your first semester. Follow the steps below and make use of these screenshots to find, select, validate, and enroll in your courses.

  • Put courses in shopping cart

    1. Log on Cardinal Students
    2. Go to the "Manage Classes" tab
    3. On the left, go to "Class Search and Enroll"
    4. Choose the semester for which you are enrolling
    5. Search using the exact class code, or search by subject area
    6. Click on a course to view all available sections
    7. Select your preferred section and follow the appropriate click path to add to your shopping cart

  • Validate courses

    The validate feature allows you to anticipate any problems that may prevent you from enrolling in a particular course. We strongly recommended using this feature before the registration period opens so that we can troubleshoot with plenty of time.

    1. Under the "Manage Classes" tab in Cardinal Students, go to the "Shopping Cart"
    2. In the upper right corner of the page, you will have a button labled "Validate." 
    3. If a class has a green checkmark next to it, then you will be able to register for it
    4. If a class has a red X and an error message next to it, then there is something that will prevent you from registering for it. The error message should tell you what steps to take to resolve the issue. If you are unsure what to do, consult with your advisor.

  • Enroll in courses

    Once registration begins, you will need to enroll in the courses in your shopping cart.

    1. Under the "Manage Classes" tab in Cardinal Students, go to the "Shopping Cart"
    2. In the upper right corner of the page, you will have a button labled "Enroll." Make sure that your desired classes are selected before enrolling.
    3. If a class has a green checkmark next to it, then you are successfully enrolled in it.
    4. If a class has a red X and an error message next to it, then there is something preventing you from registering for it. The error message should tell you what steps to take to resolve the issue. If you are unsure what to do, consult with your advisor.
    5. To drop a class you are already enrolled in and replace it with another, you can use the "Swap Classes" tab. If you are on the waitlist for a full class, you can also use this feature to program Cardinal Station to automatically swap you into the course if a spot opens up.

  • Consult with ACA for any schedule changes

    If you need to make a change in your schedule, perhaps due to placement, AP credit, or a change of your major, consult with your Academic and Career Advisor to make sure that you are still taking the classes you need. Your ACAs are here to help!