About Undergraduate Study
As new students entering NYU Steinhardt, you will pursue career and personal paths in every imaginable occupation and setting, both at home and abroad. The challenge of undergraduate education is to provide you with unparalleled academic experiences and opportunities that suit your needs and aspirations, and prepare you to question convention and lead in an ever-changing world.
The Steinhardt School meets this challenge by providing you with a sound academic foundation and professional skills necessary to achieve your goals. As an NYU student you will discover how to learn with the confidence, creativity, and sense of responsibility you need to succeed.
We share a commitment to building a core experience, one that embodies high standards - a strength of intellect common to the scientist, artist, and humanist. Each Steinhardt School major includes study in the liberal arts, which will teach you to see, feel, and respond to ever-widening spans of human knowledge. At the same time, your major is structured to cultivate specialized, professional knowledge and individual forms of expression, preparing you for professional life and ensuring that you can place your personal stamp on your chosen field of study.
We hope that by the time you graduate, you will have the wherewithal to adapt, grow, and thrive wherever you are, no matter what path you choose to follow in your professional and creative life.
The Academic Program
The curriculum comprises three components: the Liberal Arts requirements, the specialization courses required by your specific major, and electives.
Liberal Arts Requirements
- Provide students with a broad understanding of the world at large
- Provide a conceptual base for the School's academic programs and a framework for understanding human diversity, societal needs, and technological advances
Major and Specialization Courses
- Serve as the "road map" to course selection, including study abroad and other academic options
Electives
- Courses of a student's own choosing
- Can be used to pursue a minor or double major
Advisement
The opportunity for you to begin to shape your educational plan is an integral part of orientation. You will meet with your adviser to discuss your Program of Study, including academic options such as study abroad, freshman honors seminars, undergraduate research, and departmental honors. You and your adviser will review requirements for the Bachelor's degree, and determine the number of units (credits) you will need to complete your requirements, taking into consideration any advanced placement and/or transfer units (credits) that you present. Advisement provides the framework for educational planning and assessing progress. Both you and your adviser must be active participants for advisement to work effectively.
You, the Student
- are responsible for making key decisions concerning your career goals and educational plans.
- take the initiative in developing your academic plan.
- know and understand degree requirements.
- are aware of academic policies, deadlines, and procedures as outlined in the Undergraduate Bulletin, the NYU Students Guide, and the Steinhardt Student's Guide.
- monitor your own academic progress.
- initiate appointments with your adviser and consult with them regularly.
- register for approved courses online through Albert.
Your Adviser
- is a member of your academic department.
- is knowledgeable about your field of study.
- knows and understands degree requirements, including the liberal arts, specialization courses, electives, study abroad, and other academic options.
- can answer questions related to your academic program.
- is a vital resource in selecting your courses.
- helps you to develop your academic plan.
- is available to discuss your personal and professional goals.
- helps monitor your academic progress.
- will refer you to appropriate student services, activities, and opportunities.
Resources to Assist You with Course Selection
- The Program of Study Form, available from your adviser, outlines your degree requirements.
- The Transfer Credit Statement lists the courses and credits accepted for transfer credit from AP courses, college courses taken while in high school, and courses taken at other colleges.
- The NYU Steinhardt Undergraduate Bulletin outlines degree requirements, lists specialization courses by department, and provides course descriptions.
- The College of Arts and Science Bulletin lists descriptions of courses by department.
- The College Core Curriculum website, the guide for liberal arts requirements, includes individual course listings by number and title as well as by department. Use the website for course descriptions only; school policies may differ.
- The NYU Online Course Search on the Registrar's website includes all courses offered during a given semester. These courses are listed by department under the specific school/college within the University. Class lists and course descriptions may also be viewed on Albert, the online registration system.
- The Student Advisement website.
Registration
Step 1: Preliminary Considerations
The minimum number of units (credits) for most degrees is 128, which assumes that the average enrollment will be 16 units (credits) each term. Undergraduate students may take up to 18 units (credits) each term, but be careful not to overload during the first term. Students must complete 32 units (credits) per academic year to continue eligibility for financial aid and maintain good academic standing. Tuition for full-time study covers 12-18 units (credits).
In choosing a class schedule, it is helpful to consider your "time clock." Are you an early or late morning, afternoon, evening, or time-adaptable person? And remember to allot extra travel time if you are a commuter.
The goal is to create a balanced schedule; avoid "bunching" classes over a two-day span. A balanced schedule will allow time for class preparation and more thorough study, with more time for student activities and community service.
Step 2: Begin Course Selection
- On the class schedule form, write in the course number for any course that has only one or two sections available. Other courses may then be scheduled around these time slots.
- Be sure to include SAHS-UE 1 (was E03.0001) New Student Seminar.
- Add EXPOS-UA 1 (was V40.0100) Writing the Essay and include a Mathematics course, if required.
- Do not repeat course work that is being considered for transfer credit. This includes Advanced Placement examinations and college courses that you took while in high school with letter grades of B or better. Students with Transfer Credit - Please see your adviser and the Office of Undergraduate Advisement & Registration Services, Joseph & Violet Pless Hall, 2nd floor, 212 998 5053, immediately, if you find yourself in courses you have taken before. Please note that you are allowed to add a course only up through the second week of the term (semester). You must inform your adviser and the Office of Undergraduate Advisement & Registration Services of the need to change your class schedule. You will not receive transfer units (credits) for courses you are repeating at NYU Steinhardt. Copies of your course syllabi should be attached to your appeal for transfer units (credits).
Step 3: Meet With Your Adviser
- Discuss your program and schedule with your adviser.
- Upon approval by your adviser, complete the official Registration Worksheet.
- The Registration Worksheet must be signed and dated by you and your adviser before registering online through Albert.
- Your adviser retains a copy of your worksheet and you receive the original.
- Fill out your Registration Worksheet.
- Complete all spaces on the worksheet before logging on to Albert.
- Use a separate line for each section of a course.
- The Course ID contains the 3-6 letters that indicate the subject area followed by the school offering the course (UE for Steinhardt, UA for the College of Arts & Science) followed by 1-4 numbers representing the course number.
- The Section is comprised of three numbers placed immediately after the course ID. If laboratory and/or recitation sections are listed for the course, you must register for laboratory/recitation, as well.
- The Title of Course can be found with appropriate abbreviations.
- Use abbreviations to signify Days that the class meets (note that "R" = Thursday, "S" = Saturday, and "U" = Sunday).
- Enter building and room number for Location, if assigned.
- Enter the number of Units (Credits) listed for the course.
- The Course Call Number is now referred to as the Class number and is the 4-digit number that identifies each course/section.
- Access Code Required is now referred to as Department Consent Required and indicates that certain courses require approval from the department prior to registration. Contact the department offering the class for information regarding an access code.
- Select alternate courses in case any first choices are closed at the time of registration.
Step 4: Register For Classes
- Use the Albert online registration system by logging on to NYUHome using your net ID, click on the "Academics" tab.
- Once entered, you may access your schedule through NYUHome via Albert. Your statement of tuition, fees, and financial aid is also available through Albert
Frequently Asked Questions about Advisement and Registration
Advisement and registration are important and necessary aspects of the academic experience at NYU Steinhardt. You are assigned an academic adviser when you first enroll for classes. Your adviser will work together with you throughout your undergraduate years for an optimum educational experience. It is important to remember that the adviser/ advisee relationship is reciprocal; both parties play an important role in the advisement process. Please use the following information and the NYU Steinhardt Advisement page to guide discussions with your adviser.
What is "Academic Advisement"?
Academic advisement is the process that takes place when you meet with a faculty/administrative adviser to review your academic progress, to discuss what courses are needed to complete degree requirements, and to receive adviser approval to register for the next term's courses.
Please review your Advisement Worksheet for Undergraduate Students before each meeting with your adviser. Both student and adviser are expected to be active participants for advisement to work effectively. The Worksheet is a reminder of the expectations we hold for advisement and a self-evaluation of particular areas that may need discussion.
When should I be advised?
You are first advised during new student orientation, and thereafter at least once every term (semester) until graduation. We encourage you to stay in touch with your adviser as frequently as you would like.
How will I know when it is time to be advised?
You should make an appointment to see your adviser when you have received the email notifying you about your registration appointment.
You may also check with your department. Please follow instructions carefully, especially concerning deadlines, since advisement requires coordinating your schedule with that of your adviser.
How do I make an appointment to see my adviser?
Call your department. For the number, refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin or the department's website.
What materials do I need for advisement?
- Registration Worksheet, to note your classes and obtain appropriate signatures.
- A copy of your transcript (an unofficial copy is available through Albert after your first registration).
- Advisement Worksheet for Undergraduate Students.
NOTE: These materials are available in your department, in the Office of Student Affairs located at Pless Hall, 2nd Floor, or on our Forms webpage. (See also Resources to Assist You with Course Selection.)
How should I prepare for advisement?
You will have several meetings with your adviser during your tenure at Steinhardt. Before each meeting, you should:
- review your Advisement Worksheet for Undergraduate Students (www.steinhardt.edu/advisement).
- review your Program of Study form.
- review your Projected four-year plan of study.
- draft your class schedule for the following term (semester).
- jot down any questions you have to ensure they are addressed in the meeting(s) with your adviser.
- during Summer Orientation (the first time you are advised), sketch out for freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years a draft of your plan of study.
- familiarize yourself with the degree requirements listed on your Program of Study and projected plan of study.
- before seeing your adviser, prepare your schedule on a Registration Worksheet following that plan.
- select course sections in the course schedule book and on Albert to create a workable schedule.
Thus prepared, when you meet with your adviser, you can discuss your progress and make any necessary adjustments, rather than spending time on the mechanical selection of class times.
What is the timeline for advisement?
After you receive the email informing you of your registration appointment:
- Call your department to make an appointment to see your adviser.
- Gather advisement materials.
- Prepare your schedule using your notes, Albert, and course listings.
- Transcribe the information onto a Registration worksheet.
During the meeting with your adviser:
- Discuss your academic progress.
- Have your adviser sign your Albert registration form (adviser approval).
Your adviser:
- Checks your SIS records for problems.
- Enters adviser approval per the signatures on the registration form.
What is "Registration"?
Registration is the process of adding courses to your schedule.
How do I register for courses at NYU?
Registration is done online via Albert, on or after your Registration Appointment time.
You register for courses by logging into Albert via your NYUHome Account.
What are SIS and Albert?
SIS, the Student Information System, is the NYU computerized system containing your transcript, financial records, grades, degree progress, and personal information.
Albert is a tool to access SIS. You can check, add, and change your financial, course, and personal information using Albert, accessible on the Academics page in NYUHome. NOTE: Please be sure that all contact information is correct and kept current in SIS through Albert, especially your cell phone number, emergency contact information, address, and expected term (semester) of graduation.
What is a "Registration Appointment"?
Your registration appointment is the earliest time and date that you may register for classes for the following term.
The closer you are to graduation, the earlier your registration appointment will be.
The Registrar sets registration appointments according to earned units (credits).
How do I get my "Registration Appointment"?
Around midterm, you will receive an email from the University Registrar, assigning you the day and time of your registration appointment.
Remember, the registration appointment day/time is the earliest that you will be able to register, but not the only time.
You may register any time on or after your registration appointment using Albert.
What do I need in order to register?
A cell phone number and an emergency contact number must be entered on Albert prior to registration.
Adviser's approval is needed to register for the next term's classes. You receive adviser approval during academic advisement, in the form of your adviser's signature on your completed Registration worksheet. Your adviser enters that approval into SIS, as the last step of academic advisement.
What if I can't register right after advisement due to financial aid delays?
You do not have to register immediately after advisement.
You must register before the term (semester) begins. You may only attend classes for which you are officially registered.
It is to your advantage to be advised as soon as possible, and to register as soon as you can.
Payment is not necessarily required at the time of registration.
Please refer to Albert for tuition and housing payment deadlines.
What is the advantage of early advisement/registration?
Early advisement and registration give you a better chance of getting the schedule of courses that you want.
When you enroll in a course you are automatically enrolled in the Blackboard shell for that course, if it has one. Blackboard is an online course environment that faculty may use to supplement course instruction.
What are the potential disadvantages of late advisement/registration?
Late registration may prevent you from enrolling in courses you need to take because of course cancellation due to under-enrollment. Courses are cancelled if a required minimum number of students do not enroll. Under-enrolled classes can be cancelled weeks or months before a term (semester) begins. The only way the University knows that you want to take a course is if you register for it in advance.
Late registration may also prevent you from enrolling in courses you need to take because of courses closing. Many courses have enrollment limits, and close when they are full. Not all courses have waitlists. If you are closed out of a course, you may petition the department offering the course to allow you to register for it, but permission cannot be guaranteed. Some classes have lab space or teaching limitations based on size. If you are unable to enroll in the course, you must select an alternative course with the approval of your adviser.