Academic Advisors
The Registrar will assign a faculty member to serve as your Academic Advisor during your first semester at Yale. MEM and MF students selected a short list of their preferred Academic Advisors before their first summer, and MESc and MFS students either selected or were assigned Academic Advisors during the admissions process.
The role of an Academic Advisor is to provide guidance for your overall program of study. This includes ensuring you fulfill course requirements as well as offer assistance on the selection and scheduling of courses based upon your past experiences, education, areas of academic interest, and professional goals. Because you are welcome to seek professional advice from any YSE faculty member, it is not crucial that the expertise of your Academic Advisor corresponds with your area of professional interest. Additionally, MEM students also have access to guidance from their respective Specialization/Learning Community Coordinator.
After a student’s first semester, one may switch advisors pending their signed consent.
By February 15 of the second semester, students must identify a faculty member and formalize an advising relationship for the rest of the time at Yale. Note that the faculty advisor does not have to be the project advisor–but it would be encouraged to link academic and project advising.
Course Registration
YSE Course registration is available only during the registration period under www.yale.edu/sis. Video instructions for registration is available under the YSE registrar resource page.
Registration credits for full time students is 12 -15 credits, more than 15 credits require approval from Senior Associate Academic Dean. Part time students can only take between 6-8 credits and audit no more than one course.
Add/Drop is available after the Online registration system closes. Please check deadline dates on Academic calendar. Changes made after add/drop are subject to a $35 late registration fee. Exception is made for courses that may have start dates outside of the normal first day of classes such as second semester courses. Students may add/drop those type courses during the course first week of instruction without penalty. Add/drop form available under the YSE registrar resource page.
Yale Courses Outside YSE
- Courses with level 200 or higher can be applied to degree credit requirements as an elective.
- One language course of 100 level can be applied as course credit. Taking more than one language course must be approved by academic dean.
- No transfer credits allowed.
- Only courses taught by a Yale Faculty member and approved will count as required course credits.
Project Course Registration
A Project Course is a master’s project, independent study course, or for MESc/MFS students; Research Thesis Course Numbers with an YSE faculty member. The faculty member does not have to be your academic advisor except for MESc/MFS students. Course numbers are listed in the Yale course search site. You should register for your project courses during the normal registration period. A Project Course Description Form with the signature of the faculty with whom you are doing the project must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the Add/Drop Period. Students who will be receiving course credit toward their degree, shall not also be compensated in any way by any organization, company, group, or individual.
Course Withdrawal
Students may withdraw from a course after the add/drop date up until the midterm for each semester—October 28, 2022, for fall semester; March 10, 2023, for spring semester. A fee of $35 will be assessed, and a grade of “W” will appear on the transcript. Changes made to Audit courses can only be done by the mid-term in each semester.
International Student Registration
If you are an international student, you are required to check in at the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS, 421 Temple St) with your immigration documents, and attend an orientation prior to registering and enrolling in Yale courses. The OISS check-in and orientation will cover basic information about your immigration status and responsibilities, and provide you resources for a smooth transition to your life in the U.S. and at Yale. Please make sure to check the OISS website for more details.
Continuing Registration Status
Master’s students who wish to pursue their research through a six-month or one-year internship are permitted to do so and are considered enrolled on a full-time basis (students are entitled to continue membership in the Health Plan and defer student loans). Upon return, the student will register as a full-time student and pay tuition for the period needed to complete their degree requirements. Students may not register for regular course work while on continuous registration status. A fee of $3,250 per term will be charged to the student wishing continuing registration status.
