This section covers the frequently asked questions regarding UT Dallas classes, change of major, graduation, etc. If you have any specific question that is not covered on this page, email the Office of the Registrar. If you have a question related to tuition and fees, email the Bursar’s Office.
How do I audit a course?
For more information on how to audit a course, please go to audit registration.
What is a hold?
In accordance with guidance from the Federal government, UTD does not withhold official transcripts. UTD departments must have the ability to communicate to prior or current students; our transcript “holds” represent an indication for communication. After communication with the appropriate office that is requesting, an official transcript will be released as appropriate.
A hold is a service indicator that can prevent a student from completing certain transactions, like registration, viewing grades, or ordering an official transcript.
Registration holds can be placed for certain academic progress, or departmental needs.
Your holds will be listed with the department that can release the hold.
You can check your holds in Orion:
- Log in to Orion.
- Choose the UTD Student Center.
- Choose the Tasks tile.
- Your holds will be listed with the department that can release the hold.
How do I remove a transcript hold?
There are two kinds of holds that can prevent the ordering of official transcripts: financial holds and non-financial holds. Financial holds can only be released by the Bursars Office. The Office of the Registrar does not place holds that affect transcript production. Non-financial holds are released by the placing department.
How do I view my holds?
- Log in to Orion.
- Choose the UTD Student Center.
- Choose the Tasks tile.
- Your holds will be listed with the department that can release the hold.
What are examples of the types of holds?
Financial holds– are holds placed by the Bursars Office if monies are owed to UT Dallas, please find additional information on the Bursar’s Student Account Holds page.
Non-financial holds– may be placed by the Dean of Students, or Academic Department.
How can I release my holds?
Contact the department indicated on the hold, which is listed in your Orion UTD Student Center, in the Tasks tile.
How do I know if I have a hold?
When you follow the instructions to place an order for an official transcript in Parchment you will be notified of a hold preventing transcript ordering. Holds are also viewable in Orion:
- Log in to Orion.
- Choose the UTD Student Center.
- Choose the Tasks tile.
- Your holds will be listed with the department that can release the hold.
What is an enrollment appointment?
During registration periods, the enrollment appointment is your date and time slot you are able to registration for the term. To locate your enrollment appointment, go to your UTD Student Center, Manage My Class tile, Enrollment Appointments page and select the appropriate term. Register for classes after your enrollment appointment begins for the term. Online registration is available until the published last day of late registration.
I withdrew from UT Dallas last semester and I would like to reenter this semester. What do I need to do?
If you completely withdrew from the previous semester before the 20th class day, the Office of the Registrar strongly recommends that you review your academic record in Galaxy, ie, update address, transfer credit from another institution.
For undergraduate and graduate programs, those who were previously enrolled at UT Dallas, may return to the University by re-applying through Apply Texas.
I applied last semester, but I did not come to UT Dallas last semester. I really want to come to UT Dallas for this semester. What do I need to do?
You need to elect to defer your admission. To defer your admission, please complete and submit the deferment form located in Galaxy under Orion Self-Service, then, Admissions Forms Folder.
I have not attended UT Dallas in a long time (beyond a year). And, I was on probation status. What do I need to do?
You must be formally readmitted if you have not taken any classes for three long semesters (fall and spring).
To reapply for admission:
Domestic and International students must complete a new application for admission no later than the published deadline and pay an application fee. Incomplete applications or late applications will be required to register late and pay a late registration fee.
I would like to change my major. What do I need to do?
Eligible students wishing to change their major/plan/program should review the policy listed in the Academic Catalog.
- For undergraduate students: catalog.utdallas.edu/current/undergraduate/policies/degree-plans.
- For graduate students: catalog.utdallas.edu/current/graduate/policies/policy#change-of-program.
How to Complete an “Incomplete”?
If you are completing work for a previous semester in which a grade of incomplete (I) was received (except thesis and dissertation courses), do not officially register for the course again. An incomplete course grade (grade of I) must be completed within the time period specified by the instructor, not to exceed eight weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the work is not completed within the limit, the grade will be changed to “F”. Once you have completed and submitted any outstanding work to the instructor, your grade will be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by your instructor for processing. For more information see the appropriate catalog.
I am a non-degree student and would like to apply to degree seeking. I don’t want to lose all the credit that I took as non-degree seeking. What do I need to do?
No more than fifteen hours of applicable non-degree credit may be transferred to a degree program at the University. However, acceptance of credit is at the discretion of the Associate Dean or program head and the University Registrar.
How do I view my end-of-semester grades?
Students who have access to Galaxy may print end-of-semester grades from their Orion > Self Service > Student Center. To see if grades have been posted to the academic record:
- Go to Galaxy
- Log in to Orion with your NetID and password
- On your UTD Student Center Homepage, Click the “My Academics” tile
- Select “View My Grades” from the menu
- Choose the term
Will my grades come in the mail?
No, semester and midterm grades can be viewed in your UTD Student Center (Galaxy).
My name is not correct in the system. How do I go about changing it?
Primary Name
For information on changing names and addresses, please see the catalog.
Preferred Name
The University recognizes that many community members use names other than their primary/legal names to identify themselves. As long as the use of this different name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation, the University acknowledges that a preferred name may be used whenever possible in the course of university business and education.
The student is free to determine the preferred name they wish to be known by in the Orion student information system; however, inappropriate use of the preferred name policy may be cause for denying the request.
The student should send email from their UT Dallas email account to records@utdallas.edu to edit the preferred name.
Q: What is a preferred name? A: Preferred name is a first and or middle name that does not match your Primary/Legal name in the Orion student information system. Currently Preferred Name is defaulted to match the Primary/Legal Name in the Orion student information system.
Q: Where is preferred name displayed? A: In Orion, student preferred name is displayed in your Student Self-Service screen, and on Grade Rosters. The preferred name is also displayed on eLearning grade rosters and Comet Cards.
Q: Can I get a Comet Card issued with my preferred name? A: Yes, Comet Cards can be updated to have preferred name on front and legal name on the back.
Q: Can I get an official transcript, the commencement program, or my diploma issued with my preferred name? A: No, the official transcript, the commencement program, and diploma are issued only with the primary/legal name.
Q: I have more questions regarding preferred name, who can I contact? A: Please email your questions to records@utdallas.edu. A member of the Registrar’s Office staff will respond.
How do I reserve classroom space on campus?
For information on reserving classroom space on campus, please see Special Event Room Reservations.
Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act
The “Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act” (also known as the Wetterling Act) is a federal law enacted on October 28, 2000 that provides for the tracking of convicted, registered sex offenders enrolled as students at institutions of higher education, or working or volunteering on campus.
This act amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 to clarify that nothing in that Act may be construed to prohibit an educational institution from disclosing information provided to the institution concerning registered sex offenders and requires the Secretary of Education to take appropriate steps to notify educational institutions that disclosure of this information is permitted. Information about registered sex offenders may be found on:
- The web page for The University of Texas at Dallas
- The web page for the City of Richardson
- The web page for the Texas Department of Public Safety
UT Dallas Annual Security Report
How do I change my preferred pronoun and/or gender identity in Galaxy/Orion?
Refer to the Office of Information Technology’s Knowledge Base article on the topic of Gender Identity and Personal Pronouns.