Spring 2025 Registration 

Registration Instructions

Spring 2025 course schedules will become available Monday, October 21, 2024 while the registration period will officially open Monday, November 18. This means you have a month to plan your Spring courses and also be cleared for registration. Remember, you will not be able to register unless the advisor's hold is removed from your Albert account. 

How do I have the advisor hold removed?

(1) carefully read through the instructions on this page
(2) create a spring schedule based on the courses available
(3) fill out the Registration Clearance Form below with your proposed schedule.
(4) An advisor will review your response, and upon approval, remove your advising hold.

We understand this is a proposed schedule and plans may change between now and registration week. However, this process is designed to help you plan for your upcoming semester with your preferred & alternate courses, and to check in with an advisor if needed.  

How will I know when I can register? 

Every student is assigned an enrollment time via Albert based on the number of credits you have completed. Please check "Registration Status" via your Student Center on Albert to determine the exact date and time that you will be able to enroll. 

What classes should I take? 

Generally, at least 12 credits of your degree should be taken from within one Area of Study. This is a guiding principle for you to consider as you plan your courses. We understand that courses in each area may not be offered every term; it is encouraged that you choose courses related to your research interests, which likely falls within one area. Not sure which courses fall into which area? See the full list here. 

• Use this program plan to help track your credits and guide your decision making

What about the Research Requirement? 

MA students will need to take one research methodology course at some point in the program. The timing of when you take the research class is up to you, and various methods courses will be available each term. In the spring, the department will be offering these research courses: 

• MCC-GE 2026 Ethnography and Technology of Media

• MCC-GE 2184 Production of Culture in the Digital Age

• MCC-GE  2836 Culture and Media in Urban China

Keep in mind that you don't HAVE to take a designated research course from MCC; you're welcome to enroll in research/methodology courses outside the department that fit best with your research interests.  For example, Steinhardt offers Interdepartmental Research Studies courses (RESCH-GE) that could also count toward this requirement. See a list of acceptable research courses.

What if I'm interested in a MCC doctoral class? 

Please note that all 3000 level MCC courses are reserved and prioritized for doctoral students; instructor approval is required for MA students to enroll. You can email the instructor directly to request to enroll. You should introduce yourself as a MA student and provide a brief explanation of your interest in the class. Upon receiving approval from the instructor, you can foward the email to MCC.Graduate@nyu.edu for registration support.

What if I'm interested in taking an elective class outside of MCC? 

Students can take up to 12 credits of electives toward the degree. In order to qualify as an elective, a class offered by a department outside MCC must be:

1. Graduate-level

2. Directly related to your course of study

3. Approved by the graduate advising staff

You will be able to submit any elective requests in the Registration Clearance Form below; no need to fill out a separate elective approval form. Please note that each NYU department may have differing policies regarding registration for non-majors. It is your responsibility to review all registration restrictions first (ex. pre-requisites) before attempting to enroll. See a list of previously approved electives and more. 

What if I'm writing a thesis? (Second year students only)

 All students writing a thesis should register in an independent thesis section with their faculty advisor in the spring, even if it's for 0 credits. Remember, the thesis can total a maximum of 4 credits for both fall and spring. For example, if you took the thesis seminar in the fall for 3 credits, you can only register for 1 credit of independent thesis in the spring. 

• • Please complete this form to receive your access code for thesis registration  (We will send the access code during the J-term break, for now register for any other courses you wish to take for Spring.)

If You're Planning to Graduate 

• If you're planning to graduate at the end of Fall 2024, be sure to apply for Fall graduation by no later than October 15,2024. If you missed the deadline, students should email graduation@nyu.edu to be included in the graduation period.

• May 2025 graduates should apply for graduation by no later than February 15, 2025. More information regarding the graduation ceremony will be forthcoming in Spring. For now, it is important that you apply for graduation and complete your degree requirements. 

• Please take a moment to check your academic record and make sure you are making appropriate progress towards graduation. Ultimately it is your responsibility to make sure you meet all of your degree requirements, but if you answer "no" to any of the questions below, you should reach out to your advisor ASAP to make sure you are back on track before the add/drop deadline.

  • • • Are you on track to complete 36 credits by your planned graduation term?

      • Have you successfully completed the MCC MA Core Seminar?

      • Have any non-MCC courses you've taken been approved by your primary advisor?

      • Are all your completed courses graduate level courses? 

      • Check your transcript. Do you have grades for all of your completed courses? If you have any missing grades, failing grades (lower than a D) or any incomplete grades, keep in mind that these credits do not count towards your required 36 credit total. If you see any of these on your transcript and are not on track to have them resolved, please make sure to reach out to your primary advisor.

      • Have you completed/do you have plans to enroll in one of the required culminating experiences prior to graduation?  

All Students 

Please remember- It is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that you are on track for graduation and that all your degree requirements are being met. If you have any questions or need guidance, we are here to help! 

Important notes about financial aid and full-time equivalency

If you plan on taking fewer than 12 credits in your final 1-2 semesters, be sure to review the important links below:

• International students who are in their final semester and enrolled in less than 12 credits should apply for part-time enrollment via OGS. 

• Full Time Equivalency- If you are completing your thesis in the spring and need full time equivalency, please complete registration and submit the FTE form to MCC.Graduate@nyu.edu for approval and processing by no later than 1/21/2025. 

• Pro-Rating Scholarships- Does your Steinhardt scholarship require you to maintain full time status? If so, review this information for instructions on how to maintain your scholarship when enrolling in fewer than 12 credits in your final year!