Navigating Michigan State University Registrar Information
Michigan State University's (MSU) Office of the Registrar plays a vital role in supporting students throughout their academic journey. Committed to enhancing a culture of high performance and improving the student experience, the Registrar's Office offers a wide range of services and resources. This article provides a comprehensive overview of key information and processes related to the MSU Registrar, designed to help students, faculty, and staff navigate the academic landscape effectively.
Registrar's Office: A Hub of Services
The Office of the Registrar at MSU is dedicated to providing specialized expertise across various service areas. These include:
- Enrollment
- Academic Records
- Degree Certification and Diplomas
- Grade Collection and Recording
- Transfer Credit Processing
- Student-Athlete and Veteran Certification
- Classroom and Event Scheduling
- Curriculum and Catalog management
- Much more
Key Systems and Processes
Student Information System (SIS)
The Student Information System (SIS) at student.msu.edu is a central hub for students to manage their academic information. After logging into SIS, students can access various functions by clicking on the relevant tiles from their homepage, such as "Classes" or "Financial Aid".
Multi-Factor Authentication: To ensure the security of sensitive student data, Multi-factor Authentication is required to access SIS. This added layer of protection reduces the risk of unauthorized access to high-value systems that process or store restricted information. If you do not have a smartphone or cannot receive SMS text messages, the MSU Tech Store can assist you with alternative authentication methods.
Enrollment Procedures
Shopping Cart Validation: While not mandatory, the Shopping Cart validation process is highly recommended. It allows students to identify and resolve any validation messages, such as prerequisite or time conflict errors, before their enrollment appointment, leading to a faster and smoother enrollment experience. It is important to note that if you have a class in your Shopping Cart for fall, and it is a prerequisite for spring, the validation process will not recognize that, and it will note you are missing a prerequisite.
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Class Permission (Overrides): The term "class permission" is used to refer to overrides. The process for obtaining an override varies by college, so students should consult with their academic advisor for specific instructions.
Waitlists: During enrollment, students may add themselves to a waitlist for a class if it is full. To view waitlisted classes, navigate to the "Classes" tile in SIS, click "View my Classes" in the left-hand menu, and select the checkbox "Show Waitlisted Classes". Waitlisted classes will be displayed with a status of "Waiting" and the student's position on the waitlist.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Staying informed about important dates and deadlines is crucial for academic success. The Academic Calendar provides information on term and commencement dates. The Course Schedules page, accessible by selecting a specific semester, contains course and final exam dates and times. For events and meetings related to the College of Law, refer to the Law College Events Calendar. The last day for students to complete the spring 2026 graduation application and have their name included in the commencement program is in the middle of Spring semester 2026.
Holds on Student Accounts
A hold on your record may prevent enrollment from processing. Holds can be viewed in SIS via the “Tasks” tile. Click on “Holds” from the left navigation to view a list of any holds on your account. Hold details can be viewed in StuInfo.
Essential Resources and Information
Contacting Departments and Staff
To reach a specific department, professor, or staff member, students can utilize the following resources:
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- College of Law: College of Law Directory
- Main University: MSU Find People
Tuition and Fees
Information regarding tuition and fee rates can be found on the Tuition & Fees page.
Credit Requirements for Full-Time Status
The number of credits required to be considered a full-time student varies depending on the program:
- J.D. students: 12 or more credits
- LL.M. and M.J. students: 6 or more credits
Students should be mindful of the College's Work Limitation Policy found in this Handbook. J.D. students, please be advised that your enrollment status could affect your financial aid budget.
Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid can view and manage their aid packages, submit documents, or complete other requirements via the financial aid portal in the Student Information System (SIS) at student.msu.edu. After logging in, students should click on the Financial Aid tile to access the financial aid portal. For more information about financial aid at MSU, visit the MSU Office of Financial Aid for the College of Law.
Updating Personal Information
Students can view and update their personal details, addresses, contact information, and emergency contacts via the Student Information System at student.msu.edu.
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Enrollment and Degree Verification
MSU reports semester enrollment status and completed degree information to the National Student Clearinghouse on behalf of all MSU students. The Clearinghouse provides data on a regular basis to governmental and private lenders. Prospective employers may call the Clearinghouse at (703) 742-4200 or visit their web site at www.studentclearinghouse.org to confirm enrollment information. Enrollment and degree certification is a service provided by the Office of the Registrar in most cases. This service provides confirmation of enrollment status (e.g., full-time, part-time), dates of attendance, and degree(s) conferred. Before a certification form is completed by the Office of the Registrar, the student must first confirm that the information requested is not available through the National Student Clearinghouse self-services or their MSU transcript. Certificates includes student name, enrollment status (e.g., full-time, part-time), effective dates, and term start and end dates. Student requests may be made by completing the student request Certification Request Form (pdf). The National Student Clearinghouse, Michigan State University’s authorized agent, provides enrollment and degree information. 2300 Dulles Station Blvd., Ste.
Leave of Absence
To take a leave of absence from MSU Law, students should contact the Office of Student Affairs to schedule an appointment with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. You must also submit a completed Leave of Absence or Complete Withdrawal Form (PDF).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Registrar's Office provides answers to frequently asked questions to assist students with common inquiries:
Q: How do I change my address or telephone number?
A: Viewing and updating of personal details, addresses, contact information and emergency contacts will be managed via the Student Information System at student.msu.edu.
Q: How do I obtain a copy of my transcript or grade report?
A: Information about ordering a copy of your transcript, is found on the Transcripts page. You can view your academic records in the Student Information System (SIS) at student.msu.edu. After logging in, select the Academic Records tile to view information like course history, final and historical grades, test and transfer credit, unofficial transcripts, awards and honors, and more.
Q: How do I obtain an MSU Student ID Card?
A: Visit the MSU ID Office in the MSU International Center (427 N. Shaw Lane, Room 170, East Lansing, MI 48824). As of June 2021, all newly issued Student ID cards will include a Student ID number rather than an APID. Students with a Student ID card issued with an APID can convert their APID to a Student ID number by simply replacing the “A” with a “1” (e.g., A23456789 --> 123456789). The Student ID number also displays on the My Profile tile in the Student Information System (SIS) at student.msu.edu.
Q: What is a preferred name?
A: You may prefer to be addressed by a name that is different from your legal name. MSU and MSU College of Law recognizes that many of its students use names other than their legal names to identify themselves and allows you to do this by establishing a preferred name.
Q: How do I establish or update my preferred name?
A: You can update your preferred name settings in the Student Information System (SIS) at student.msu.edu. After logging into SIS, click on the "My Profile" tile. From there, select "Personal Details" from the left navigation and click on the preferred name-type to update as needed. Please note, preferred name is different from primary/legal name. A student's legal name cannot be changed in SIS. The legal name will continue to be used for certain university or college records, documents, and business processes such as reporting, financial aid, official transcripts, and other records where use of legal name is required by law or university policy. A student's legal name cannot be changed in SIS.
Q: How can I submit official documents from an embassy?
A: Official documents can be submitted from a U.S. embassy abroad or by the appropriate foreign embassy in the United States to the Michigan State University Office of the Registrar, Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road, Room 150, East Lansing, MI 48824-2603. If you have questions prior to submission, please call the MSU Office of the Registrar at (517) 355-3300.
Q: Do I have a hold on my student account?
A: You can view any holds on your account in the Student Information System (SIS) at student.msu.edu. After logging in, select the Tasks tile and “Holds” from the left navigation. From there you can view the holds and information for the appropriate department to contact for resolution.
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