Registration
Course Schedules
Summer 2023
Printed Class Schedule
Class Schedule Addendum
Professional Development and Personal Enrichment
Fall 2023
Printed Class Schedule
Class Schedule Addendum
Closed Classes
Online, Weekend & Night Course
Professional Development and Personal Enrichment
Spring 2024
Printed Class Schedule (coming soon)
Class Schedule Addendum (coming soon)
Online, Weekend & Night Course
Professional Development and Personal Enrichment
Prerequisites Guidance
Many courses, especially as a student moves to the 200-400 level of coursework require completion of pre- and/or corequisites in order to enroll for the course. Pre- and corequisites are located at the end of the course descriptions in the course catalog and in DAWGS.
Prerequisites: A requirement such as another course or a test score that must be completed prior to enrolling in the desired course. Common occurrences related to prerequisites include:
- If a prerequisite is missing this will be indicated by the phrase “prerequisite and Test Score Error” in DAWGS.
- If the course description or other language in the Academic Catalog does not indicate a more restrictive grade, a C- or higher is required for a course to be considered “successfully completed”.
- If the prerequisite course is in progress, it will meet the requirement for registration purposes of the desired course.
- If a student does not successfully complete the prerequisite in progress course, they may be contacted to change their schedule, as the prerequisite will not be met
Corequisites: A requirement such as a course or test score that must be completed at the same time as the desired course. Common occurrences related to corequisites include:
- Indication by the phrase “Coreq” in the course description for the desired course.
Student must complete all prerequisites and corequisites in order to register through DAWGS for requisite restricted courses. Students who believe they have completed the necessary pre- or corequisites by means other than those listed in the academic catalog should contact the appropriate faculty for written permission to register or add. Written prerequisite overrides documented through the add/drop form must be returned by the student to the Registrar’s Office before the deadline to add or register for the term/block in question.
How to Register
To register for courses a student must be currently attending and in good academic, financial, and behavioral standing; newly admitted; or readmitted (for former students) to Montana Western. Registration opens in DAWGS and in person for various groups and different times. Students may find their day to register under Registration Timetable.
Registering for Classes
Web Registration DAWGS is the self-service student information system for web registration.
- Attend an advising workshop and then meet with a faculty or academic advisor to receive the advising pin required to register.
- Login to DAWGS .
- Select Student Services and then Registration
- Select the term for course selection
- Complete the Registration Agreement Questions
- Select Add/Drop Classes
- Enter the Advising Pin received from a faculty or academic advisor in the alternate pin section
- Enter the CRN’s or use class search to enter selected courses
In Person Registration
- Attend an advising workshop and then meet with a faculty or academic advisor to receive the advising pin required to register.
- Complete the Registration form with required signatures including the academic or faculty advisor’s signature, as needed as return it to the Registrar’s Office.
Distance and Online Students
Coming soon
Adding/Dropping a Course
Before the Semester Begins
- Web Registration: Login to DAWGS and make the desired changes to the schedule. An advising pin is required in order to make changes to a course schedule in DAWGS.
- In Person Registration: Complete and submit a Student Class Schedule Change Form. Students attempting to add a closed or restricted course must complete the form and secure written approval of the course instructor before submitting the completed form.
After the Semester Begins
Once the semester begins, all students course schedule changes are initiated with the Change of Schedule form available through the registrar or academic advising offices.
- Complete the Change of Schedule form securing the necessary signatures/approvals including instructor and either faculty advisor or academic advising signatures.
- Return the completed form to the registrar’s office before the deadlines on the academic calendar. Forms that are not completed will not be processed.
If a student is unable to come to campus to complete the add/drop process they may contact the academic advising office for assistance.
Exchanging a Course, No Record on Transcripts, and “W” withdraw grades
Exchanging a Course
- Prior to or during the first two days of each block a student may exchange a course of even credits within a single block (i.e. a 4-credit course in block one for another 4-credit course in block one) without receiving a “W” grade. The Change of Schedule form must be completed in order to receive an exchange of courses.
No Record on Transcripts
- During the first fifteen instructional days of the semester, a student may withdraw from all courses without having record of enrollment appear on their UMW transcripts. Student are still accountable to any tuition accrued or financial aid requirements. See the tuition refund calendar for the time the student attended to determine refund percentages. Registration fees may apply.
“W” Withdraw grades
- “W” grades are applied to a student’s academic record after the first fifteen instructional days pass for any student who withdraws from a course or from the University within the deadlines stipulated in the Academic Calendar . Registration fees may apply.
Late Add/Drop/Withdraw
In extenuating circumstances (i.e. illness, family emergency) students may petition using the Request for Academic Policy Waiver or Enrollment Status Change for a late add, drop, or withdraw if an academic calendar deadline has been missed. For an Academic Policy Waiver or Enrollment Status Change to be considered it must include the following:
- Completed Academic Policy Waiver or Enrollment Status Change form
- An attached copy of the Change of Schedule form with all required signatures.
- Documentation supporting an extenuating circumstance that prevented the student from meeting the academic calendar deadlines.
- Written justification by the student of why the request should be approved.
- The completed form and supporting materials are returned to the registrar’s office for review. Please note that returning the form does not guarantee approval.
The Enrollment Petitions Committee will review petitions and supplementary documentation. The registrar’s office will communicate the final decision of the committee to the student. The Enrollment Petitions Committee typically meets once a block.
Withdrawing from the University
Please contact the Registrar’s Office at 406-683-7371 for further information regarding withdrawal. You can also initiate the process by emailing us at [email protected].
Change or Addition of Degree, Major, Minor, or Option
Students may declare or change their degree, major, minor, or option through the Academic Advising Office by completing the change of degree or advisor form or by using the Online Change of Degree Form.
Double Blocking and Credit Overload
It is never recommended for students to take more than one class during a given block or to exceed recommended maximum credit load. However, in rare instances where other viable course scheduling solutions are not available, a student may consider discussing with their advisor double blocking or credit overload.
Double Blocking
A student may not attempt more than five (5) credits in a 4-week block. If a student needs to exceed this maximum credit, a petition for double blocking must be completed and returned to the registrar’s office. For a double block petition to be considered for approval it must include the following:
- Completed Course/Credit Overload Petition
- An attached copy of your schedule printed from DAWGS
- Obtain written approval by signature from the two instructors the student is trying to double-block. Please note that faculty are under no obligation to approve (i.e. they may deny) a request.
- Include a justification of why the double block is required.
- Obtain the signature of your faculty academic advisor or if you do not have a faculty advisor yet a signature from the advising office.
- The completed form and supporting materials (i.e. faculty signatures) are returned to the Registrar’s Office for review. Please note that returning of the form does not guarantee approval.
After the student returns the completed form to the Registrar’s Office, it will go through one of the following processes to for consideration of approval.
- If a student’s UMW GPA is above 3.00 and they are not exceeding the maximum semester credit load the double block will be approved at the Registrar’s Office.
- If a student’s UMW GPA is above 3.00 and they are exceeding the maximum semester credit load the double block will be reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee. The Registrar’s Office will notify the student if the Academic Standards Committee approves or denies their petition.
- If a student’s UMW GPA is below 2.00 the double block will be reviewed by the Academic Standard Committee. The Registrar’s Office will notify the student if the Academic Standards Committee approves or denies their petition.
For those double block requests that must be reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee, this committee typically meets once a block.
Maximum Credit Load
A student may not enroll in an excess amount of credits each semester. The guidelines for maximum credit load are:
- Student with a 3.00+ UMW GPA
Fall or Spring Semester – 20 credits
Summer Semester – 15 credits - Student with a 2-2.99 UMW GPA
Fall or Spring Semester -18 credits
Summer Semester -14 credits - Students on Academic Probation
Fall or Spring Semester -16 credit
Summer Semester -12 credits - New First Time or Transfer Students in Good Academic Standing
Fall or Spring Semester -18 credits
Summer Semester -14 credits
If a student needs to exceed the semester maximum credit, a petition for Course/Credit Overload must be completed and returned to the Registrar’s Office. For a Course/Credit Overload petition to be considered for approval it must include the following:
- Completed Course/Credit Overload Petition.
- An attached copy of your schedule printed from DAWGS
- Complete the section noting which course the student desires to add the course that will place them in overload status.
- Include a justification of why the overload is required at this time in your academic career.
- Obtain the signature of your faculty academic advisor or if you do not have a faculty advisor yet a signature from the advising office.
- If the overload is for 21 credits exactly and the student has a UMW GPA of 3.00 or higher obtain the signature of the Provost.
- The completed form and supporting materials (i.e. advisor signatures) is returned to the Registrar’s Office for review. Please note that returning of the form does not guarantee approval.
After the student returns the completed form to the Registrar’s Office, it will go through one of the following processes to for consideration of approval.
- If a student’s UMW GPA is above 3.00 and the overload will only take them to 20 credits the petition will be approved at the Registrar’s Office.
- If a student’s UMW GPA is above 3.00 and the are registering for exactly 21 credits the Director of Student Success will review and sign the petition if approved. In this scenario it is the responsibility of the student to obtain the signature of the Director of Student Success.
- If a student’s UMW GPA is 3.00 or higher and they are desiring 22 credits or higher the petition will be reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee. The Registrar’s Office will notify the student if the Academic Standards Committee approves or denies their petition.
- If a student’s UMW GPA is 2.99 or lower and they are petitioning for 20 credits or higher, the petition is reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee. The Registrar’s Office will notify the student if the Academic Standards Committee approves or denies their petition
For the course credit requests that must be reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee, this committee typically meets once a block.
Web Registration Errors and Resolutions
Occasionally when registering online a student may receive a registration error that prevents registration from occurring. The following are common errors that may occur during the registration process.
Campus Restriction
Students are admitted to specific campuses depending on whether they are enrolled in in-person courses or as a Distance Learning Student (online student). This error message cannot be overridden without the student switching to the campus designation that the course requires. Use the Registration Form to change your status to a Distance Learning Student.
C/I Required Override
Consent of the instructor is required for this course. Students must have instructor’s signature on a registration form/ or special class contract form. Not all overrides are approved. This restriction is put on by the instructor.
Class Restriction
The course is restricted to students of a certain class standing to (i.e. sophomore/junior standing). Students may complete a registration form signed by the instructor to override this restriction. The instructor is under no obligation to override the class restriction and may deny the request.
Closed Section
The class is full. Students may contact the instructor of record regarding adding the course. Students may complete a registration form signed by the instructor to override this restriction. The instructor is under no obligation to override the class restriction and may deny the request.
Field of Study Restriction
This course is restricted to only students in a certain major or minor (e.g., open to only History Majors). Students may complete a registration form signed by the instructor to override this restriction. The instructor is under no obligation to override the class restriction and may deny the request.
Prereq and Test Score Error
Students have not successfully completed required course or test to register for this class.
Time Conflict
Two classes overlap in their meeting time.
You are not permitted to register at this time
The student’s registration time is not yet available due to class restriction.
You require Readmission prior to registration
A readmission form must be completed after being absent for two or more term. If the student has not attended for one semester and did not attend college elsewhere during the semester they may contact the registrar’s office at 406-683-7213. If the student has not attended for more than one semester contact the Admissions Office to begin the readmission process.
Your Student Status Prohibited Registration
The student is on Academic Suspension or they previously cancelled their classes for that term. For questions about readmission after Academic Suspension or cancellation of courses please contact the Registrar’s Office at 406-683-7213.
Maximum Hours Exceed
A student is trying to register for more than 18 credits. Students with at least a 3.00 GPA may contact the Registrar’s Office to request their maximum credits are set at 20. Students who wish to take 21 credits or more will have to fill out a Course Overload Form. This form will be reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee. Not all Maximum Credit Overrides are approved.
Invalid Advising Pin/Number
A new advising pin is generated for active students each semester during the academic year. Students need to meet with their academic advisor before the start of each semester to receive their advising number.
Hold On Your Account
There are a variety of reasons for this error message. Some of the more common reasons are: missing or incomplete medical history form; missing SAT or ACT scores; Business office; Dean of Students hold; Residence Life hold; Financial Aid holds; missing transcripts (Enrollment Services). Students should contact the appropriate office to lift the hold.
Registration Timetable
The following schedule provides the date continuing and new student may register for courses in the Summer and Fall terms.
DAWGS Summer web registration window closes at 10:00 PM June 4, 2023. Web registration for Fall closes at 10:00 PM on August 27, 2023. Eligible students may register or add/drop classes through DAWGS any time after their web registration time opens until the closing time and date posted above.
Tuesday, March 21, 2023:
Currently enrolled Seniors (90+ earned credits at the start of Spring 2023 semester)
Currently Enrolled Post-Baccalaureates Students
TRIO Students
Students with accommodations
Wednesday, March 22, 2023:
Currently Enrolled Juniors (60-89 earned credits at the start of the Spring 2023 semester)
Thursday, March 23, 2023:
Currently Enrolled Sophomores (30-59 earned credits at the start of the Spring 2023 semester)
Friday, March 24, 2023:
Currently Enrolled Freshman (0-29 earned credits at the start of the Spring 2023 semester)
Monday, March 27, 2023:
Readmitted Students
Tuesday, April 11, 2023:
New/Incoming Students
ELearner Eligibility
An eLearning course at Montana Western is a web-based, state supported, academic credit bearing course with minimal in person contact with faculty. An eLearning student is defined as a student taking eLearning courses only who has declared the status by completing the eLearning form
Certain fees will be waived for formally declared eLearning student. ELearning student’s ability to register will be limited to eLearning online courses only. The following student categories do not meet the requirements to declare themselves as an eLearner.
- Student who accept Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarships.
- Any student, regardless of residency status, who resides in the 59725 zip code locality. This includes UMW residence halls.
- Any student registered for at least one non-eLearning class during a semester.
Montana Western assumes students are not eLearners unless informed otherwise by submission of the Change of Status form or completing the eLearner Change of Status online form.
eLearner requests and declarations must be received in the Registrar’s Office before the start of the semester in order to apply towards the enrolled term. ELearning students who do not declare as eLearners will be charged regular tuition and fees. See Business Services for Tuition and Fee information.
Please fill out the eLearner form
- Summer 2022 eLearner forms due no later than Friday June 5th.
- Fall 2022 eLearner forms due no later than Friday September 14th.
- Spring 2023 eLearner forms due no later than Friday January 31st.