Permission Numbers
A permission number is a 6-digit code issued by a faculty member that allows a student to register for a class. There are two types:
- permission numbers that override the lack of having completed all of the prerequisites required for a course
- permission numbers that override the lack of having completed all of the prerequisites required for a course and override a closed (completely full) class.
In This Section:
Information About Permission Numbers:
In the Department of Psychological Science, permission numbers are not distributed by the department chair; permission numbers are distributed at the discretion of the instructor. Many factors influence whether an instructor is willing and able to distribute a permission number including (but not limited to):
- Enrollment capacity of the course
- Date of the request
- Space limitations of classrooms in face-to-face courses
- Whether the student has successfully completed prerequisites courses
- Student’s academic standing
- Student’s major
- Structure and/or sequence of the course
In many cases, students may not technically meet the prerequisites for the course (e.g., upper-division standing or successfully completing PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology), but for some reason the student still wishes to enroll. If an instructor is willing to consider distributing a permission number to a student, the instructor might request and/or consider the following (these are examples and not a comprehensive list):
- Your transcript (to examine standing and previous courses)
- Attendance and participation during the first week of the semester
- An in-person or Zoom/online meeting
- An explanation as to why you wish to take that particular course
Please note that asking for a permission number does not guarantee that a permission number will be issued. Reach out to the instructor and provide as much information as possible so the instructor can determine the feasibility of such a request. Please be patient; making a request just before a semester starts is a busy time for both instructors and students; it may take a while to receive a response. Permission numbers are distributed with care, with a high consideration toward fairness. Using the waitlist system is generally a better way to gain access to a closed class than gaining access via requesting a permission number.
Thank you, students!