University Planning · Updated August 31, 2026
How to Read a University Course Catalog Before Enrolling
Use a course catalog to understand degree requirements, prerequisites, electives, sequencing, policies, and hidden constraints.
Find the official program requirements
A course catalog is one of the most useful documents a prospective student can read. It shows how a degree actually works after the marketing page has finished describing it.
Understand prerequisites
Find the official requirements for the exact program and academic year. List required courses, credit totals, concentrations, general education, electives, capstone requirements, and minimum grades.
Check course sequencing
Prerequisites reveal the real sequence of study. A course that appears available may require several earlier courses. This can affect how quickly a student can progress, especially if a prerequisite is offered only once per year.
Separate required courses from electives
Check sequencing and availability. Some programs have tightly ordered cohorts; others offer flexible electives. Ask what happens if a required course is unavailable, failed, or conflicts with another requirement.
Read academic policies
Distinguish electives from restricted electives. “Choose three” may mean choosing from a small approved list rather than any course at the university.
Compare catalog years
Academic policies matter too. Read rules on transfer credit, academic standing, repeated courses, withdrawals, residency, maximum completion time, and graduation.
Finally, note the catalog year. Requirements can change. Students are often governed by a particular catalog or curriculum version, but institutional rules vary. Knowing which rules apply can prevent confusion later.