Registration

Registration is perhaps the most used and most important online administrative service.  It is a service that every student will use each time he or she enrolls in a course.  Therefore, designing an effective online registration system deserves a significant amount of time and attention.  Make the process as clear and intuitive as possible for the user. The success of your online or distance program may depend on a student’s ability to register easily online for courses.  On-campus students are also, increasingly, calling for the convenience offered by online registration.  It is important to note, however, that many institutions have developed highly effective touch-tone registration systems, which may serve students as well as online registration methods.

Good Practice Recommendations 

• Describe the registration process.  Provide clear and detailed information about each step in the registration process. (University of Minnesota, Crookston)  
      
• Identify and describe all registration methods.  Inform students of the different registration options available to them, especially if online registration is not available.  Include instructions for each method. (University of California, Irvine)   
      
• Define relevant policies.  Provide all institutional policies and procedures that may affect a student’s registration decisions. Consider linking to relevant sections of your institution’s student handbook or course catalog. (University of Missouri)   
      
• Provide an online schedule planner.  Make it possible for students to view course descriptions, search for courses by department or meeting time, and, preferably, by course availability.  University of Colorado   
      
• Provide an online registration form along with clear instructions.  Provide students with instructions for filling out the form.  The instructions should be in a print-friendly format so students can follow them as they complete the application.  (University of Illinois)