Major/Non-Major Permissions

CMSC Course Permissions


CS Majors

  • Winter or Spring 2027 Course Permissions: Your assigned academic advisor will be providing instructions on how to request Winter 2027 or Spring 2027 course permissions in the next few weeks. Please check your TerpMail regularly for additional information.
  • CMSC Graduate-level Course Permissions: The form to request a CMSC graduate level course for the Spring 2027 term will open in mid October. In addition to completing the request form, students must obtain approval from the instructor to take the course. Please email the instructor’s approval to your assigned academic advisor prior to completing the form when it opens.


CS Minors

  • The Winter 2027 course request form will be available in mid October.
  • The Spring 2027 course request form will be available in mid October.
  • If you are a CS Minor interested in requesting a CMSC graduate level course for the Spring 2027 term, the request form will open in mid October. In addition to completing the request form, students must obtain approval from the instructor to take the course. Please email the instructor’s approval to csadvising-ugrad [at] umd [dot] edu prior to completing the form when it opens.


Non-Majors: CE Students

  • Undergraduate CE Majors should contact their assigned CE Academic Advisors to request permissions for Winter 2027 or Spring 2027 courses.
  • If you are an undergraduate CE major interested in requesting a CMSC graduate level course for the Spring 2027 term, the request form will open in mid October. In addition to completing the request form, students must obtain approval from the instructor to take the course. Please email the instructor’s approval to csadvising-ugrad [at] umd [dot] edu prior to completing the form when it opens. If you are an Engineering student in a graduate program, please do not fill out this form as it is only for undergraduate students. Refer to the Non-Major: Graduate and Advanced Special Students section below for instructions on how to request a CMSC graduate course as a non-major graduate student.


Non-Majors: IMD Students

  • IMD-BS majors should contact their assigned IMD Academic Advisors to request permissions for Winter 2027 or Spring 2027 courses.
  • If you are an IMD-BS major interested in requesting a CMSC graduate level course for the Spring 2027 term, the request form will open in mid October. In addition to completing the request form, students must obtain approval from the instructor to take the course. Please email the instructor’s approval to csadvising-ugrad [at] umd [dot] edu prior to completing the form when it opens.
  • IMD-BA majors should follow the Non-Major: Undergraduate Student process to request CS course permissions.
  • If you are a CS and IMD double major, please follow the normal CS Major course permission process.


Non-Majors: Undergraduate Students

  • The Spring 2027 non-major course request form will be available in late October.
  • Please note: Course permissions for non-majors will be granted on or around the first day of classes for the term. You will not be able to register for the courses during your assigned registration appointment. No exceptions can be made to this policy.

    • Undergraduate degree seeking students that are non-majors are ineligible for CMSC3XX or CMSC4XX courses (this includes 1-credit STIC courses and CMSC330/351). Undergraduate degree seeking students must be a declared CS Major or Minor to receive CMSC3XX or CMSC4XX course permissions. No exceptions can be made to this policy. Please consult your current academic advisor if you need assistance adjusting your course schedule or academic plan.

  • Undergraduate Non-Degree Seeking or Visiting Students: If you are requesting course permissions for CMSC216 or CMSC250, please complete the appropriate Non-Major: Undergraduate Students form. If you are in need of a course beyond CMSC216 and CMSC250, please contact csadvising-ugrad [at] umd [dot] edu for assistance.


Non-Majors: Graduate and Advanced Special Students

Non-Major Graduate and Advanced Special students MUST complete the following steps to request permission for CMSC320, CMSC335 or a 400-level CMSC course. Instructor permission is not required for CMSC131 - CMSC351.

Be advised that non-major graduate and advanced special students will only be granted permission for one 300- or 400-level (not including CMSC330 or CMSC351) CMSC course. No exceptions. If you submit multiple requests, we will honor your most recent submission. Email questions to csadvising-ugrad [at] umd [dot] edu.

Please contact the instructor to obtain written permission to take their course. In your email, you should include:
1. Your name, 9 digit UID, and your program of study
2. Your reason for requesting course permission
3. Your CMSC and MATH background/coursework

Save a copy of the email from the instructor granting permission. Submit the email from the instructor when completing the course permission request form (see below).

  • The Winter 2027 and Spring 2027 non major course permission forms will be available in late October.
  • Please note: Course permissions for non-majors will be granted on or around the first day of classes for the term. You will not be able to register for the courses during your assigned registration appointment. No exceptions can be made to this policy.

Non-Major Graduate Students Requesting a Graduate level CMSC course only can fill out a form to request a CMSC graduate course. Please use this Form. If you are an undergraduate student or a non-major graduate student requesting an undergraduate CMSC course, do not submit this form. For this form only, do not contact the instructor to obtain written permission to take their course. We coordinate with them based on your response to this form.