Override Procedures

View the Override Procedures by Academic Unit page for details of how and where to request an override.  Please note that override procedures differ by academic units. Some academic units do not issue overrides at all.

Permission to Enroll 

Permission to enroll, also called an override, is special permission given to a student to join a class that requires instructor or departmental approval to enroll, has reached its maximum capacity, or for which a requisite has not been met. Student specific permissions are entered into MyMadison by the departmental office.  Alternatively, the department may issue you a permission number which you will need to enter in the appropriate field in MyMadison when enrolling in the class.  Departments can specify deadlines on permissions, so be sure to enroll before your permission expires. The override only saves a seat in the class for you; it does not enroll you in the class.  

Students are not automatically entitled to an override simply because they request one.  Overrides are given at the discretion of the academic unit offering the course.  This means the department can say "yes" or "no" to grant or deny a student's override request.  

Enroll in the Class

After an override is given, you must enroll in the class. You MUST log in to MyMadison and add it to your schedule. The course will not be added to your schedule automatically.  

Waitlists

Instead of requesting an override, many departments encourage students to use the wait list in MyMadison.  

View the Enrollment/Waitlist - Add a Class Tutorial (Video)

Waitlist is a feature of MyMadison that allows you to add your name to a list of people who are waiting for an open seat in a class.  If you are on the waitlist and a seat becomes available AND you meet the prerequisite(s) for the course AND it fits into your schedule, you will be automatically enrolled in the course.  You will also receive an email to notify you that the class has been added to your schedule.  

If a seat is not available, you do not meet the prerequisite(s) for the course, or it does not fit into your schedule, you will NOT be enrolled in the course.  Keep in mind being on the waitlist does NOT guarantee you a seat in the class.  Just in case you don't get off the waitlist, it's important to enroll in enough classes to complete your schedule even without the waitlisted course.