Understanding the Waitlist Process

What is Waitlisting?

Starting in Fall 2026, all ODUGlobal undergraduate, master's and certificate courses will follow an 8-week, asynchronous format. These courses will no longer have enrollment limits and waitlists will be eliminated. The last term for waitlisting will be Summer 2026.

Waitlisting is a valuable feature that allows students to join a queue for enrollment in a course that has reached its capacity. When a seat becomes available, students on the waitlist are notified on a first-come, first-served basis, giving them a fair chance to register for the class.

This system ensures that students have the opportunity to secure a spot in their desired courses, maintain flexibility in their schedules, and stay on track with their academic goals.

Student reviewing course registration on a laptop at home.

Maximize Your Enrollment Opportunities with Waitlisting

Waitlisting provides students with an opportunity to enroll in a course that is currently full. It functions on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring a fair process for all students. By joining the waitlist, students increase their chances of securing a spot in the desired class if an enrolled student drops out or additional seats are added.

Waitlisting allows students to maintain flexibility in their schedules. While waiting for a seat in a full class, students can continue to explore other available classes without completely abandoning their initial choice. This way, they are prepared to adjust their schedules effectively if a seat becomes available.

The waitlist system notifies students via their ODU email when a seat becomes available. This automated process ensures that students are promptly informed and can act quickly to register for the course within the 24-hour window, enhancing their ability to secure the class they need.

For students who need specific courses to meet prerequisites or graduation requirements, waitlisting is a critical tool. It helps them stay on track with their academic plans by providing a mechanism to potentially enroll in necessary classes, thereby avoiding delays in their educational journey.

The waitlist system allows students to monitor their position on the list through the "Schedule Details" section. This transparency gives students a clear understanding of their chances and helps them plan their schedules accordingly.

Waitlisting aligns with ODUGlobal's core value of empowerment. By offering personalized support and a transparent academic path, waitlisting empowers students to make informed decisions about their course enrollments, ensuring they feel confident and supported in their academic pursuits​​.

ODUGlobal is committed to providing flexible and adaptive solutions for students. Waitlisting is one such tool that demonstrates this commitment by offering a practical and student-centered approach to managing course enrollments​​​​.

Steps to Use Waitlisting

  1. Initiate Registration: When a class is full but offers waitlisting, students can click "Add" next to the class with available waitlist seats.
  2. Pending Status: The class will appear in the summary with a pending status. Click "Submit" to receive an Errors Preventing Registration prompt and generate more Action options.
  3. Join the Waitlist: Change the class to the waitlist status in the drop-down menu under Action and click "Submit" again to secure your waitlist placement.
  4. Check Position: Students can check their position on the waitlist in the "Schedule Details" section.
  5. Notification: If a seat becomes available, students will receive an email notification.
  6. Register for Class: Students have 24 hours to change their action to "Web Registered" and submit to secure the seat​​.

By utilizing the waitlist system, students can navigate the complexities of course registrations more effectively, ensuring they have the best possible chance to enroll in the classes they need.

View our how-to-guide for waitlisting (PDF)