Register for Classes

At Columbia College, our registration process is clear and streamlined, because your focus should be on what truly matters: your future. 

Meet with an Advisor 

  • New students on our residential campus can connect with their advisors at Admissions@CCIS.edu
  • Returning students on our residential campus are required to meet with an academic advisor every semester before registering for classes. To make an appointment, click the “Schedule an Appointment” link in the left-panel Shortcuts section of myPortal
  • Students studying online, in the evening, or at one of our nationwide locations will be connected with their advisors, and can schedule advising appointment through myPortal. To make an appointment, click the “Schedule an Appointment” link in the left-panel Shortcuts section of myPortal.

Choose your Classes 

  • Log into myPortal 
  • Select “Register, Add or Drop Classes" in the left-panel Shortcuts  
  • Select "Register and Manage Classes."  
  • This tool lets you plan your courses and request an advisor review. 
  • If you prefer, we offer in-person registration help at the Center for Student Success on the Columbia, MO campus. 

Students who cannot register through myPortal or in person can appoint someone to register for them. Just complete the Registration Proxy Form, and the proxy can register at the Center for Student Success during open hours.

Managing Your Classes

Each of these actions comes with its own guidelines – we'll walk you through each step to ensure you make the decisions that are best for you. Here's what you need to know about managing your course load.

You can add courses up to the first Wednesday of each session or semester. Use myPortal's Self-Service Planner or "Assisted Registration" options. Once you've enrolled, you'll receive a confirmation email.  

You can also register in person in Columbia, Mo or at your local venue. 

You can drop a course until the first business day of the second week of each session or semester. To drop a course, log into myPortal and follow the "Register, Add or Drop" link. You'll receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. 

If you decide to withdraw completely from school (that is, drop all your classes), you might be eligible for a pro-rated tuition credit. This depends on when you complete the total withdrawal process.

For a more detailed breakdown of how this works, please see the Undergraduate Catalog

If you need to withdraw from a course after the add/drop period but before the end of the sixth week, you can submit a Course Withdrawal form in myPortal. Be aware that withdrawing doesn't erase academic or financial responsibilities. You'll receive a confirmation email once your withdrawal has been processed. 

Remember, if you stop attending classes for 14 consecutive days, you're considered to have withdrawn. 

Be aware that withdrawing can affect your financial aid. It may result in some or all of your federal aid being returned to the federal government. Review our Return of Title IV Funds (Federal Aid) Policy for more information. 

To maintain your eligibility for federal and/or state financial assistance, you must meet and maintain satisfactory academic progress in your degree program. You're required to complete 2/3 of attempted hours while at Columbia College. 

Registration FAQs

Have questions? We've got answers. Browse through our frequently asked questions for detailed information about the registration process, including class add/drop and withdrawal procedures.

Absolutely. At Columbia College, we're all about flexibility and providing ways to streamline your educational journey. That's why we give you the option to register for multiple sessions at a time. Plan your year in advance, reduce stress, and gain confidence in your degree pathway. It's a great way to manage your academic and personal commitments effectively. We always recommend consulting your academic advisor about the optimal sequence of your classes. 

No need to worry about that. Registering early doesn't equate to paying early. We're committed to helping you plan your education journey well in advance. If you have questions regarding financial aid, tuition, or payments, our student success coaches are here to help. Let us take some of the weight off your shoulders. 

Choosing classes can be exhilarating and a bit overwhelming, so don't hesitate to reach out to your academic advisor. Our Center for Student Success is also on hand to assist with the registration process. 

You can use our Assisted Registration to register for classes using a speech reader. 

Columbia College offers various payment plan options to suit your needs. Hit the "Complete Registration" button to start making payment arrangements. Our student success coaches are ready to guide you through this process. 

All students not paying in full at the time of registration are introduced to our payment plans. Remember, not all types of financial aid are applied to your account at registration. Our Center for Student Success is on hand to demystify financial aid. 

For your security, the system automatically logs you out after a period of inactivity. If this happens, simply log in again to continue. 

Don't let any tech issues hamper your journey. Reach out to our Center for Student Success or the Help Desk if you encounter confusing failure messages or other technical issues. 

Some courses require the instructor's green light for enrollment. In such cases, contact the instructor to request permission. Once they have approved, they will grant permission in our system, clearing your path to registration. 

Good news! At Columbia College, the cost of books is included in your tuition. If you're an online student or studying through Columbia College Global, you'll primarily access your books digitally through your specific courses in the D2L course manager. If you're based at our residential campus, you can collect your books from the on-campus Barnes & Noble Bookstore. 

A Name Change Request can be submitted through myPortal. Or you can get in touch with our Office of the Registrar. 

Registering for more than 18 credit hours in a semester or more than 9 hours in an 8-week session is considered an overload. To ensure that you're ready to handle this load, you'll need to consult your academic advisor to complete an overload request. 

This message typically indicates that the course level doesn't match your current academic level. For instance, if you're a graduate student aiming to take an undergraduate course, you might encounter this message. If you meet the course prerequisites, you can still enroll. However, we always recommend discussing your plans with your academic advisor. 

because a future built by you is a future built for you.

Too many people have been made to feel that higher education isn’t a place for them— that it is someone else’s dream. But we change all that. With individualized attention and ongoing support, we help you write a new story for the future where you play the starring role.