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Registration Information and Tips

Log in to My Apps Dashboard to access Banner Self Service - Student. If you cannot log in or do not know your Banner SLU Net ID (username) or password, contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar-madrid@slu.edu. Include your full name, Banner ID number and date of birth.

Student having a coffee sitting in the student lounge.

Here are the menu items you'll see in Banner Self Service - Student:

  • Prepare for Registration: view your registration status, update student term data, and complete pre-registration requirements.
  • View Registration Information: view your past schedules and your ungraded classes.
  • Register for Classes: search and register for your classes. You can also view and manage your schedule.
To register for classes
  • Make an appointment with your advisor. You should do this, one to two weeks before registration begins. Plan the classes you would like to take, and bring a copy of your transcript printed from Banner.
  • Use the Courses@SLU Web or Banner Self Service - Student icon in My Apps Dashboard. If you use Banner, continue with the following steps:
    • Under Student Records / Registration links, click on Registration.
    • Click on Register for Classes.
    • Select the Term and click on Continue.
    • Select "Madrid, Spain" under Campus and click Search.
    • Next to the course you want, click on Add and Submit.
    • Provided you receive no errors, you have successfully registered. (Check your schedule in Banner.)
    • You may use the same steps to add and drop classes until the add/drop period ends, or withdraw from a course until the withdrawal period ends (see the Academic Calendar).
To verify your registration, review your schedule and view email information for your instructors
  • View the Schedule area.
  • Click on the Student Detail tab.
To request an official transcript

Transcripts will be sent at the time of the request. Final grades will only appear on the transcript if they have been posted. Submit the request at the end of the semester, after your grades are posted, and you have verified this by checking your transcript in Banner.

To view and print your recent grades
  • Click on "Grades".
  • Choose the Term.
  • Select the level (Undergraduate or Graduate).
To view and print a record of your academic transcript
  • Under Student Records / Registration Links, click on "Unofficial Academic Transcript."
  • Choose Transcript level "All Levels" and Transcript Type "Unofficial."

Tips for Scheduling Classes

Courses taken each semester at SLU are measured in credit hours. Credit hours refer to the number of hours per week you are in the classroom during a 16-week semester. Most courses are three credit hours, but some are one, two and four credit hours. Consider the following as you develop your schedule:

  • Most students take between 14 and 16 credit hours per semester (four or five courses), though you may take up to 18. You must take at least 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. Most degree programs at SLU require at least 120 hours to graduate.
  • For every credit hour in which you enroll, you must spend about two to three hours outside of class studying. For example, if you take 15 hours of credit, you should study at least 30 hours per week outside of class. This is a large amount of time, so consider your study habits, work commitments and goals when planning your schedule.

Class Meeting Times

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday (MWF) classes are usually 50 minutes long.
  • Tuesday, Thursday (TR) classes are usually 75 minutes long.
  • Monday, Wednesday (MW) classes are usually 75 minutes long.
  • Monday, Wednesday, double Friday (MWFF) classes are usually 50 minutes long.

Tips for Dropping Classes

Drop courses in Banner or courses.slu.edu. See how here.

If you drop a class during the first two weeks of the semester, the class is simply removed from your transcript (before add/drop ends, see the Academic Calendar). You will receive a W for your grade if you drop between the second and 10th week of class. The W is a permanent part of your academic record but does not affect your GPA.

Benefits of Dropping a Course

  • Dropping a course is better than receiving an F for your final grade. An F is a permanent part of your record and can drastically affect your GPA.
  • If you drop a very demanding course, you will have more time to work on your other courses and perhaps improve those grades.
  • If you are on a scholarship and must maintain a certain GPA, dropping a class in which you receive a low grade may be necessary to meet your GPA requirement.

Consequences of Dropping a Course or Withdrawing from a Class

  • Dropping a course could affect your financial aid. Check with the Office of Finance in Padre Arrupe Hall or write to financialaid-madrid@slu.edu.
  • Withdrawing from multiple courses during your four years may indicate a negative pattern to future employers or graduate schools.
  • Dropping or withdrawing from a course that is a pre-requisite for another course could put you behind in your major, especially if the course is only offered once per year.
  • Dropping a course affects the number of credit hours you have completed and may affect your class standing.

If you are struggling but want to stay in the class, have an open and honest discussion with your instructor about the course. You may be able to salvage your grade by working closely with the instructor and by improving your performance during the rest of the semester.

Also, speak with your academic advisor. Your advisor might be able to identify campus resources and support services that can assist you.