Getting Into Closed Courses
To get into any closed course at the U of M, please email your PSEO advisor BEFORE contacting the instructor or department.
Your PSEO advisor can provide the best guidance to get into a closed course.
5 Closed Class Types & How to Get In
Common types of closed classes and how to try getting in. Includes classes that seem open but block PSEO students from registering anyway.
Closed (red x)
Monitor Schedule Builder for these closed classes to open up (when the red X turns into a green check mark), either because previously enrolled students withdrew or the department added new seats.
You shouldn't email anyone to request permission here. See Course Exceptions below for exceptions, such as math.
If a class has a full wait list, keep checking the schedule for possible wait list openings.
Closed, open spots available on a wait list (yellow clock)
Add yourself to the automated wait list. If you get to the top of the wait list and space opens, the system will add you automatically - but only if you're not enrolled in another back-up class that meets at the same time as your wait listed class.
The wait list is automated. When a spot in the class opens, the first person on the wait list would get added (and notified by email), and everyone else on the wait list would move up one spot. This process happens about once per day.
You can set up a "future swap" to make it so that getting into your wait listed class automatically swaps you out of the back-up class.
There's no way to check your spot on a wait list.
Do not email anyone to get into a waitlisted course. They are using the waitlist system, and won't give out permission numbers.
"Open," but reserved seats only available (purple star)
These classes have open seats, but those seats are reserved for non-PSEO groups, such as for transfer students or economics majors.
Treat these like closed classes by either going on a wait list (if one is available) or by watching for non-reserved openings (when the purple star turns into a green check mark).
Departments release these reserved seats if they remain open near the start of the semester.
Open, but you met the prerequisite through AP scores or prior PSEO classes and the system blocks you
If you see this message when trying to register for an open class and believe you have met the class's prerequisites (other than a listed requirement to be in a college or major) through PSEO coursework, AP testing, etc., some departments have a specific process to help get in.
Examples: biology, computer science, statistics.
See Course Exceptions below.
Open, but it requires you to be in a particular college or major
Some classes are only open to students in a particular college or major. These are usually closed to PSEO students; see Course Exceptions below for exceptions.
Examples: business ("CSOM," Carlson School of Management"), engineering ("CSE," College of Science & Engineering).
Course Exceptions
Special notes & exceptions to the processes above for PSEO students to deal with closed classes.
Biology
If you've met any biology prerequisite through AP or prior PSEO, email the instructor to request permission to join. See Permission Requests below for details. Make sure to attach a copy of your AP score sheet or prior PSEO transcript confirming the prerequisite completion.
Business
Most classes with requirements like "Carlson School of Management" or "CSOM-only" (e.g. BA 1011, 1021, 2021) are closed to PSEO students. Some exceptions:
ACCT 2051, BA 2551, BA 2005, and BA 2062: PSEO students can request permission to join open Carlson-only sections by completing the Carlson Registration Assistance and Permission Number Request form after PSEO registration opens.
ECON 1165: CSOM-only reserved seats may be released the Friday before the semester starts.
Chemistry
The "prerequisite" to getting into a chemistry lecture (e.g. Chem 1061) is to first or simultaneously enroll in a related chemistry lab (e.g. Chem 1065). Getting into a lab section should remove this message and let you enroll in a lecture.
CHEM 1086 (lab): If you have met the chemistry prerequisite for this class through an AP Chem score or non-U of M PSEO class, email the instructor to request permission to join, including a copy of your AP score sheet or prior PSEO transcript. See Permission Requests below.
Computer Science
Students must meet listed CSCI class prerequisites. No exceptions.
If you've met a CSCI prerequisite through AP or prior PSEO, complete this Enforced Prereq Help Form to request permission.
Class that require "CSE" or "CS upper div": Usually closed to PSEO students. However, if you are set on a CSCI major and have few other course options to progress, email csciug@umn.edu to request permission.
Engineering
PSEO students who have met course prerequisites for courses with a "CSE" requirement in the following departments can request permission to join through the following links:
Honors (any course ending in H or V)
(e.g. ENGL 1001V; PSY 1001H)
These classes are mostly reserved for undergraduates in the University Honors Program (UHP). PSEO students may request permission into these courses on a space-available basis.
Complete the Request to Enroll in an Honors Course form to begin the process. DO NOT contact the instructor or department for permission.
🚫PSEO students are not allowed in HSEM-designated courses. No exceptions.
Math & Statistics
Math
PSEO students may email the math department (ugrad@math.umn.edu) after their registration begins to request permission to join a closed math course. See Permission Requests below for what to include in your email.
Providing multiple sections of a popular class that would fit your schedule may increase your likelihood of receiving permission.
If you cannot demonstrate that you are unable to attend an open section, you may be asked to register for an open section.
Staff will try to respond to your request for a permission number within 48 hours. If you have not received an email reply within five days, please email ugrad@math.umn.edu.
If the math department grants you permission, they’ll set it up so that you can register for the closed section. This permission will have an expiration date, so keep a close eye on your email.
🚫Math 1371, 1372, 2373, and 2374 ("CSE Calculus"): Not currently available to PSEO students due to lack of space.
Statistics
Email the statistics department to request permission using this process on their site, including some proof that you've completed the prerequisite, such as an unofficial transcript or AP score sheet.
⚠️CAUTION: They will NOT grant you multiple permission requests, so be sure the section you're requesting is the one you really want. You will not be able to swap to a new section or re-add it if you drop it.
Physics
If you see 1000-level physics labs accepting no more than 12 students or so soon after registration opens, monitor Schedule Builder. After enough lab sections fill, they sometimes increase the enrollment cap until the related lecture section fills up.
Writing Studies (WRIT 1301)
Even if there are open seats, PSEO students cannot register themselves for WRIT 1301. See our guide to the WRIT 1301 lottery and registration process.
Permission Requests
What to include in an email requesting permission to join a class and how to register once you get permission.
⚠️CAUTION: Only contact an instructor or department to request special permission to join a class if directed to do so by Course Exceptions above or your advisor.⚠️
Include the following information in your email request to give yourself the best chance to get in:
Subject line: "[Course Number] Permission (e.g. "Math 1271 Permission")
Student name and University ID number
Course number (e.g. MATH 1271)
Discussion section number (e.g. DIS - 012)
Five-digit class number (e.g. 12345)
Explain how you meet the prerequisite for the course. (e.g. placed into the course via the placement test, received a 4 or 5 on the AP Calc AB/BC, or took Calc 2 at a community college) and attach documentation such as an AP score, transcript, etc.
Reason for requesting this class (e.g. "I need it for my planned engineering major")
Reason for requesting this specific section (e.g. "I'd much rather take online because travel would be hard" or "it fits my schedule better than the other sections")
What Are Permission Numbers?
Permission numbers are special access codes that instructors or departments sometimes grant which let you enroll in a course, even if it's full or if the requirements would block you. See here for how to use a permission number to enroll.
Permission numbers often expire after 24 or 48 hours. Check your email regularly after requesting one.