Adding, Dropping, and Changing Classes
You can easily make changes to your schedule in PAWS before classes begin. Always double-check the changes you make in PAWS by reviewing my class schedule in the Academics section.
The schedule of classes is available to view at https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search. If you are unable to see the most recent term in the dropdown, you may need to clear your browser history and cache. Steps to clear your browser history are different depending on the Internet browser you are using. Check out our information about clearing cache, cookies and history on a mobile device or clearing cache in Safari for more information if you are using a tablet or phone. If you need help clearing your browser history, please call the Help Desk at (414) 229-4040 or toll free at (877) 381-3459.
If you have questions about your schedule, contact your Academic Advisor. If you’re having trouble with PAWS, call the Help Desk at (414) 229-4040 or toll free at (877) 381-3459.
There are two primary ways to search for classes when you are ready to enroll: the Schedule Planner and a PAWS Class Search.
You can get sections into your Shopping Cart through either route, but see below to discover the best option for you.
Watch this short video to learn more about how to enroll in classes using Stellic.
- Log in to PAWS
- Under the Academics header, click on the Search link
- Enter one or more search criteria, such as Course Subject or Course Keyword
- Click the SEARCH button to view your results
- If you receive a message that your search will return more than 50 classes, click OK to continue or Cancel to enter more criteria
- The class status will be coded as Open (green circle), Closed (red square), or Wait Listed (yellow triangle)
- Click on the blue Section Number to view the Class Details page
- From the Class Details page, you can add a class to your Shopping Cart by clicking Select Class
- A new optional feature is the “Validate” button in your shopping cart. Clicking this will confirm whether or not you are eligible to enroll in the courses in your cart.
- Once all of your classes are in your Shopping Cart, check the boxes in the Select column and click the enroll button
- Review the Confirm classes page, then click the FINISH ENROLLING button
- A green check mark in the Status column confirms you have enrolled successfully
- If your request was not successful, a Red X with an error message will appear in the Status column
- When you finish enrolling, double-check your changes by reviewing the my class schedule sub-tab
If you have questions or need assistance adding classes, contact your Academic Advisor.
There are two primary methods of gaining permission to enroll in a course:
- A paper-based Registration Change Form. This form requires your signature as the student, and also has places for department/instructor and school/college (academic advisor) signatures, depending on the nature of the permission. Make sure to fill out the class information completely on the form before submitting it. Completed forms can be submitted to the Registrar’s Office via online form, in-person, or fax.
- A Class Permission in PAWS. This is a permission assigned within PAWS that allows you to enroll in the class yourself via PAWS.
The following chart explains the typical reasons for permission, the approvals required, and the method of receiving permission:
Reason | Approval Required | Method |
---|---|---|
You want to take more credits than the maximum credit load allowed | Academic Advisor | Class Permission |
You want to repeat a course beyond the allowed limit (speak to the course instructor also) | Academic Advisor | Add/Drop Form |
The class status is closed, but you want to enroll anyway | Instructor or Department | Class Permission or Add/Drop Form |
You don't meet the course prerequisites but feel you're ready to take the class anyway | Instructor or Department | Class Permission or Add/Drop Form |
The course requires an instructor's consent to enroll | Instructor or Department | Class Permission or Add/Drop Form |
The "Add Deadline" has passed, but you want to enroll in the class anyway | Academic Advisor & Instructor | Add/Drop Form |
The "Drop With W Deadline" has passed, but you want to drop the class anyway | Academic Advisor & Instructor | Add/Drop Form |
You want to take two courses that have a time conflict | Instructor allowing missed class time and Academic Advisor | Class Permission or Add/Drop Form |
For graduate students, school/college approvals are granted by the Graduate School.
For undergraduate students, school/college approvals are granted by your academic advising unit. For non-degree (“university special”) undergraduate students, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions provides school/college approval.
Steps to identify your school/college via PAWS:
- Log in to PAWS (paws.uwm.edu).
- Click on the “My Academics” link in the Academics section of your Student Center.
- A section called “My Program” will appear on the right hand side of the screen.
- If your Career is Graduate, your school/college is always the Graduate School.
- If your Career is Undergraduate, your school/college is identified in the Program listing (e.g., Business-Undergraduate). If the Program listing indicates University Special, see “Non-Degree Undergraduate Students” below.
Graduate Students
Office of Graduate Education, Graduate School
Office: MIT 261
Email: gradschool@uwm.edu
Phone: 414-229-6569
Fax: 414-229-6967
Degree-Seeking Undergraduate Students
Pathway Advising
Office: Mellencamp Hall 128
Phone: 414-229-4696
School of Architecture and Urban Planning
Office: AUP 225
Email: sarup-advising@uwm.edu
Phone: 414-229-4015
Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business
Office: LUB N297
Email: uwmbba@uwm.edu
Phone: 414-229-5271
School of Education
Office: END 209
Email: oas@uwm.edu
Phone: 414-229-4721
Fax: 414-229-4705
College of Engineering and Applied Science
Office: EMS E386
Email: ceas-adv@uwm.edu
Phone: 414-229-4667
Fax: 414-229-2854
Global Studies Program
Office: GAR 111/113
Phone: 414-229-6925 or 414-229-3042
Helen Bader School of Social Welfare
Office: END 1110
Email: ssw@uwm.edu
Phone: 414-229-4852
Fax: 414-229-5311
College of Health Sciences
Office: NWQ B 6451
Email: chs-info@uwm.edu
Phone: 414-229-2758
School of Information Studies
Office: NWQ B 3550
Phone: 414-229-4707
Fax: 414-229-6699
College of Letters and Science
Office: HOL 142
Email: let-sci@uwm.edu
Phone: 414-229-4654
College of Nursing
Office: CUN 135
Phone: 414-229-5047
Fax: 414-229-5554
Peck School of the Arts
Office: THR 120
Phone: 414-229-4763
Non-Degree Undergraduate Students
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Office: Vogel Hall Visitor’s Center
Phone: 414-229-2222
Fax: 414-229-3788
- Classes with waitlists are full (but not closed) and are marked with a yellow triangle
- The Class Availability shows you how many students are on the Waitlist already
- If you add yourself to the Waitlist, you can view your place in line under my class schedule in the Academics section
- If a seat opens up and you don’t have any scheduling conflicts, you’ll be automatically enrolled. This process will run each weekday to add waitlisted students into the class if spots open up. You will be notified by email if you are added into the course or if there is an issue that would prevent you from being added.
Waitlists, like classes, can fill up – once all spots on the waitlist are full, the class will appear as closed. Further, not all classes and departments utilize waitlists.
The process to automatically move students into open spots happens on weekday evenings. If you are first on a waitlist but are not moved into a course, we recommend that you check your UWM email for a message that will explain the problem.
You can get more help with waitlists from the UWM Help Desk at 414-229-4040.
You are generally eligible to alter your schedule through the add and drop deadlines for a semester. However, there are implications associated with changing your schedule that should be kept in mind, particularly if you are making alterations after the semester has started.
Contact your academic advisor if you have specific questions about changing your schedule.
If you’re changing the number of credits in your schedule or swapping classes that require additional fees, you may be increasing or decreasing your total charges. Check your PAWS account for an accurate, up-to-date total of your charges. You can contact the Bursar Office for more information.
If you’re covering all of part of our charges with financial aid, please be aware that a change in the number of credits you are taking could impact your award. Depending on the date that you add or drop courses, you may also see long term effects on your financial aid eligibility. You can learn more about the different types of changes that can be made to your aid here.
- Log in to PAWS
- Under the Academics header, click on the Enroll link
- Click on the edit sub-tab
- Under the Classes you are allowed to edit header, select the class you want to change and click the PROCEED TO STEP 2 OF 3 button
- Choose your new Discussion or Lab section and click NEXT
- Check your new class preferences and and click NEXT
- Review your selections and click the FINISH EDITING button to submit
- A green check mark in the Status column confirms you have edited successfully
- If you request was not successful, a Red X with an error message will appear in the Status column
- Log in to PAWS
- Under the Academics header, click on the Enroll link
- Click on the swap sub-tab
- Under the Swap This Class header, choose the current class you want to drop
- Under the With This Class header, enter your new 5-digit class number or search for a new class
- Click the Finish Swapping button
- Review the Confirm your selection screen, then click the FINISH SWAPPING button to submit
- A green check mark in the Status column confirms you have swapped successfully
- If you request was not successful, a Red X with an error message will appear in the Status column
- Log in to PAWS
- Under the Academics header, click on the Enroll link
- Click on the drop sub-tab
- Check the box in the Select column next to the class you want to drop
- Click the DROP SELECTED CLASSES button
- Review the Confirm your selection screen, then click the FINISH DROPPING button to submit
- A green check mark in the Status column confirms you have dropped successfully
- If you request was not successful, a Red X with an error message will appear in the Status column
Note: Dropping a class may have transcript and financial impacts.
Information for undergraduate students who wish to submit an appeal to add, drop, withdrawal, or otherwise change their class schedule following term and session deadlines can be found within the Appeal Instructions for Late Change in Registration. Please note that such appeals may be either denied or approved by your School or College advising unit, and the attached document is not meant to cover all possible enrollment-related appeal situations.
If the appeal is approved, students must submit a Registration Change Form to the Registrar’s Office.
College of the Arts and Architecture
- Peck School of the Arts
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning – contact your academic advisor
College of Community Engagement and Professions
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare – contact your academic advisor
- School of Education
- School of Information Studies – contact your academic advisor
College of Engineering and Applied Science – contact your academic advisor
College of Health Professions and Sciences
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Health Care Administration
- School of Nursing – contact your academic advisor
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences and Technology
College of Letters and Science
Lubar College of Business- contact your academic advisor
School of Freshwater Sciences – contact your academic advisor
Zilber College of Public Health – contact your academic advisor
- Log in to PAWS
- Under the Academics header, click in the drop down menu and select Class Schedule, then click the arrow button
- Select the current term to print, then click the Continue button
- From the List View, you can view your class information and the current status
- Click the View the Course Materials for your enrolled classes link to view or order your book list at the UWM Bookstore
- Click the Weekly Calendar View button for a snapshot schedule of your classes by day and time
- Below the Display Options header, click the blue Printer Friendly Page to print an easy to read document
If you need to leave school for personal or medical reasons, you need to complete a withdrawal. Before taking this step, please visit our withdrawal information site. This outlines the steps to take as well as the possible financial ramifications.