Registering for Your First Semester

Each student is assigned an enrollment date that can be found on CUNYfirst. Click here to learn how to find your enrollment appointment.

For new graduate students to be eligible to register for classes, you must clear your immunization holds with the Medical Records Office. Please complete this before your enrollment time. Please note that students starting fully online programs are not required to satisfy the immunization requirements to register for their classes. Registration will continue until the first week of the semester as specified on the academic calendar. However, we strongly encourage you to register as soon as you can to get into your first choice of classes.

The academic calendar contains many important due dates and deadlines (e.g. last day to register for classes, last day to receive 100% refund, first day of classes, etc.)

All students will be using  Schedule Builder to register for classes. Students must claim their CUNYfirst account in order to log in and access Schedule Builder. If you are having trouble activating or accessing your CUNYfirst account, please contact the Tech HelpDesk at (646)312-1010.

Learn how to register for classes on schedule builder

It is recommended that students complete their required core courses first before taking elective or depth courses. First semester graduate students should only register for core courses in their first semester and should not take elective courses, unless otherwise suggested by your advisor. You can find your program’s curriculum and list of core courses here.

Depending on your program and concentration, most core courses can be taken in any order. Elective courses will build on concepts learned in the core, so you should take most of your core before you start taking electives.

Online MPA students follow an accelerated, prescribed program with elective courses that are preselected for the program. Taking alternative courses and substitutions are not allowed for Online MPA students. Detailed registration information will be sent by the advisor via email.

Each graduate course is worth 3 credits. Part time graduate students are recommended to register for 1-2 classes (3-6 credits) per semester; full time students are recommended to register for 3 classes (9 credits) per semester. Students who WORK on a full-time basis cannot attend classes on a full-time basis (3 classes; 9 credits). After the first semester, full time students may register for a fourth class after consulting with an advisor.

Graduate courses are offered in a variety of instruction modes. To learn about the different instruction modes and how to read the CUNYfirst schedule of classes, please click here.

Master of Public Administration (MPA) & Master of International Affairs (MIA)
Sample Schedules – 42 min. credits

*This schedule excludes Winter and Summer Intersessions, which are optional semesters

MSEd in Higher Education Administration (HEA) Sample Schedules – 36 min credits

This schedule excludes the Winter & Summer intersessions, which are optional semesters

*All new MSED-HEA students are required to take PAF 9330 Intro to Higher Education in their first semester.

MS CIty Planning (MSCP) Sample Schedules – 36 min credits
This schedule excludes the Winter & Summer intersessions, which are optional semesters

Students who have just registered for classes should be able to view their bill and make a payment on the “Finances” tab on their CUNYfirst Student Center. For students who have just registered, the bill may not be available immediately If you have any other questions regarding billing and payment, please refer to the Bursar’s Office’s FAQs or email the Bursar’s office at bursar@baruch.cuny.edu.

NYS Residency & In-State Tuition

ALL new students are automatically coded as an out-of-state student, regardless of citizenship or number of years living in New York State, until they submit proof of residency to the Marxe Graduate Admissions Office.  Please contact our Graduate Admissions Office at MSPIA.admissions@baruch.cuny.edu for further information.

Scholarships
If you were awarded a scholarship upon admission into the Marxe school, please contact MSPIA.admissions@baruch.cuny.edu if you have any questions about the scholarships you were awarded and how the award will be applied to your account.

Financial Aid & Loans
If you plan to apply for loans to finance your degree, please refer to Graduate Financial Aid Information webpage to learn how to apply for loans. Attend an upcoming Financial Aid Information Session for New Graduate Students!