Schedule Builder

1. I cannot see a future term, what does this mean?

If you are unable to see a future term, it could mean one of two things:

1) The term is not yet available. Visit the Student Planning calendar to review dates.

2) You are not term activated for the desired term. This means you are unable to register for classes.

Contact the Records Unit within the Office of the Registrar for additional information.

PLEASE NOTE: You should click on the term itself instead of using the carrot to access the Term drop-down menu. Clicking solely on the carrot does not always open the drop-down menu.

2. I selected my term but do not see where to find courses. What do I do?

Select Expand Filters in the top right portion of the page. This will allow the user to set filters or search for courses.

3. How do I search for a specific course?

You must enter a Subject and Catalog Number (as noted by the red asterisk) if you are searching for a specific course. Course description and prerequisite information will display when the Subject and Catalog Number fields have been filled. Select Add Course to include the specific course as an option when building your schedule.

4. The system isn't allowing me to build a schedule with a class that is closed, full, or has formed a wait list; I am receiving a "Class Status" error. What do I do?

To view all class offerings, including classes that are closed, full, or have formed a wait list, uncheck both Class Status filter options.

First, select "Expand Filters":

Next, under "Class Status," uncheck both the "Open" option and the "Wait List" option. Removing the Class Status filter entirely will ensure that your search results include all classes regardless of class status. 

5. How do I search for a General Education area in a specific course?

Using the Section Filters, select "General Education Area" and "Sub-Area." You can then use the Course Selection Filters to search for courses that fulfill that specific GE Area.

Schedule Builder works like a funnel to narrow down results based on search criteria.

Note that when selecting multiple Course Attributes (i.e. General Education and USCP), results will include all courses that meet either attribute, not only courses that meet both attributes.

When searching for General Education options, you will need to know your Cal Poly Catalog to ensure that you make the correct choice.

Another option to see a quick view of seat availably by GE Area is Class Search.

6. What General Education pattern do I follow?

If you are an undergraduate student, it is important to know your Cal Poly Catalog when using Schedule Builder. This information can be found by logging into your Cal Poly portal and visiting the Academics tab. Your catalog is listed at the top of the page under "Degree Information" (Please note: Only undergraduate students can use this method to locate their Cal Poly Catalog information).

7. How do I search for all Open seats in General Education courses?

Using the Filters, select Course Attribute and Course Attribute Value. Schedule Builder works like a funnel to narrow down results based on search criteria. Note that when selecting multiple Course Attributes (i.e. General Education and USCP), results will include all courses that meet either attribute, not only courses that meet both attributes.

Begin by selecting "Open" under the Class Status filter:

Identify GE Area and Sub-Area in the two drop down options:

Another option to see a quick view of seat availably by GE Area is Class Search.

8. I can't find GWR or USCP sections. What do I do?

Under the Section Filters heading, use the first field (Select GE; GWR; USCP) and select one of the following: Graduation Writing Requirement or United States Cultural Pluralism.

These types of courses do not have "sub-areas," so the "If GE, Select Area" field does not need to be populated.

Next, under the Course Selection heading, select a Subject from the drop-down menu. Once you select a Subject, the corresponding Catalog Numbers will display only the courses that are offered during that term. Be mindful of your filter selections as they will impact what courses appear in the drop-down menu.

9. How can I search for virtual class offerings and in-person class offerings? What are the definitions of the six modalities of instruction offered at Cal Poly?

As of Fall 2021, six different modalities of instruction are available at Cal Poly:

Asynchronous classes are virtual classes taught in a self-guided format. There are no required weekly meeting days and times. The meeting pattern will be "TBA" in Schedule Builder.

Synchronous classes are virtual classes taught in a guided format. There are required weekly meeting days and times, and students are required to log in for class instruction of some sort.

Synchronous/Asynchronous Hybrid classes are fully online, but the meeting pattern is a combination of established days and times (for the synchronous online component) and student self-guided work (for the asynchronous online component).

In Person classes are offered at on-campus or off-campus physical locations with established meeting days and times. Location information (building number and room number) can be found in Schedule Builder for these sections.

In Person/Synchronous Hybrid classes include in-person and online course content. These classes have established meeting days and times.

In Person/Asynchronous Hybrid classes include in-person and online course content. The meeting pattern is a combination of established days and times (for the in-person component) and student self-guided work (for the asynchronous online component).

NOTE: When searching for in-person classes, results will also display Independent Study and/or Supervisory courses (such as Senior Project classes). In general, meeting patterns for these courses will be listed as "TBA" as students will be required to coordinate requirements with the instructor. Even though these courses will display as "in person" offerings, this does not specifically mean course content will be delivered face-to-face.

To find classes that fit your needs, use the "Modality of Instruction" filter:

10. I cannot find a class I'm looking for. Why not?

Sections that the department has set to "no print" will not publish in Schedule Builder. For a section where you have been given the class number to enroll, you must do so directly from the Add option via your Student Center.

11. What do the various symbols in the class section information mean?

Zero Cost Course materials or Open Education Resources

Closed Leaf - Sustainability Focused

Open Leaf - Sustainability Related

12. I need to see what textbooks are required for my class. Where do I look?

Under the class section information, once confirmed by the instructor, there will be a link to "Course Materials." This link will take you directly to the Follett website to view required course material information and purchase materials as needed.

13. How do I see a topic for a course?

Classes with topics are viewable when selecting sections in Schedule Builder. There is a drop down menu that can be used to search for specific topics associated with that course.

14. Where can I see information about reserve capacities on classes?

After selecting the class section, navigate to the bottom of the page. Information related to reserve capacities is clearly defined based on which student population seats are held for.

15. Where can I see class notes for a section?

Class notes can be found in two locations:

1.) Class notes are seen as you select sections for a course. They are viewable prior to drilling down into the expanded course information.

2.) After selecting "Build Schedule," class notes can be found in the calendar view of your schedule.

When you click on a course in the calendar view, a text box appears that allows you to either "View" or "Pin" the course.

Select "View" to find course details, including class notes.

16. Do I need to wait for my enrollment appointment to be able to enroll using Schedule Builder?

Yes. Enrollment options will be available to you both in Schedule Builder and the Enroll option in your Student Center once you have a valid enrollment appointment.

17. What do the symbols on the main page in Schedule Builder mean?

Planned - Courses are brought over from Degree Planner, planned coursework

Enrolled - Sections in which the student is enrolled

Wait List - Section in which the student is on the wait list

Shopping Cart - Section that has been added directly into the Shopping Cart

18. How do I import courses?

When you visit Schedule Builder for the term, any Planned or Enrolled courses should automatically be pulled in. Students have the option to manually pull in Wait Listed courses and courses that have been put directly in the Shopping Cart. If courses did not pull in automatically, the selections under the Import Classes drop down may be used.

*Sections that are set to 'no print' will not appear in Schedule Builder. The class number must be entered directly into the Shopping Cart to complete the enrollment transaction (Add Class).

19. I see a Favorite schedule saved by someone other than myself. How did this happen?

Members of the Advising community have access to assist students in Schedule Builder. An Advisor may act on a student's behalf and set Favorite schedules. This is typically done during an advising session. You will always see the individual's name who made adjustments or changes in Schedule Builder

20. I don't meet the prerequisites for a course. Can I still build a schedule with that course?

Yes. When selecting Build, a pop-up will appear. You may either Cancel and adjust your course options or Continue. If you continue and you do not meet the prerequisites, please note that you will be prevented from enrolling in the course without a permission number.

21. I need to wait list for a class. How do I do that?

Students have the option to wait list when enrolling in the course under Enrollment Options. Select the "Wait list if class is full" check box.

22. I have a permission number for a class. Where do I enter it?

Students have the option to enter a permission number for a course under Enrollment Options. Be mindful that a permission number is not required for courses set up as student specific permission required.

23. How do I select a unit value on a variable unit course offering?

Variable unit courses will have the option to set unit value before completing the registration process. Use the "Units*" field to select number of units in which you would like to enroll.

24. Once I have enrolled, how do I see my class schedule? How do I verify what classes I'm enrolled in?

It is important to read all messages carefully when registering via Schedule Builder.

A green symbol means there are no warnings or errors associated with the enrollment process.

A red symbol means there is an error which must be fixed.

A yellow symbol indicates a warning associated with the transaction. This is generally an advisory message.

If in doubt, visit your Class Schedule via your Student Center.

25. I do not understand the warning (yellow) or error (red) message I received. Where can I go for help?

First, check your class schedule for the term to review what classes you have been successfully enrolled in. If there are outstanding questions, contact the Records Unit within the Office of the Registrar or the Advising Center in your college. Refer to contact information under Troubleshooting Resources at the bottom of this page.

PLEASE NOTE: The following message is a standard, common PeopleSoft message that may appear in your Schedule Builder "Enrollment results" or your Shopping Cart:

"Note that this is a GE and/or USCP course and may fulfill a Bachelor's degree requirement."

If your class was successfully added to your schedule (and you received a green or yellow message in Schedule Builder), please disregard this PeopleSoft messaging.

26. Once enrolled, I need to make a change to my schedule. Where do I do that?

Once enrolled, dropping classes may be done directly in the registration system. Classes cannot be dropped via Schedule Builder. A student may elect to swap if enrolled in another section, should they choose to do so in Schedule Builder. If in doubt, visit the Add option directly via your Student Center.

27. I am a Cal Poly faculty member/staff member that does not have security access to view Schedule Builder. How can I gain access?

To gain security access to Schedule Builder, you will need to submit a Technical Service Request. The Technical Service Request link can be found in the “My Apps” menu of your Cal Poly Portal.

Once you click on the "Technical Service Request" link, you will be directed to the Employee Technical Support page. From here, select the "New CMS Account Request" option:

When you submit your request, please include detailed information explaining why you need access to this student tool.

Please Note: In order to receive security access, you must have taken the FERPA training through the Cal Poly Learning Hub within the last year.

You can access the FERPA training course through the "Staff and Faculty Training" tab on your Cal Poly Portal. Once there, click on the "Go to the Cal Poly Learning Hub" green button and search for the “Data Security and FERPA” training.

Please allow about an hour and a half to complete the training.

28. As a Cal Poly faculty member/staff member, how can I act on behalf of a student when using Schedule Builder?

To act on behalf of a student, access your Advisor Center and select "Student Search."

You may enter either the student's name or their EMPL ID in the "Search Criteria":

Next, navigate to the student's Student Center, and Select "Schedule Builder." This will allow you to view that student's Schedule Builder (you will be acting on behalf of the student).

NOTE: The following path should NOT be used to access a student's Schedule Builder: HighPoint > Schedule Builder

29. As a Cal Poly faculty member/staff member, can I use Schedule Builder as an enrollment monitoring tool?

No. Faculty and staff must act on behalf of students when using Schedule Builder. As there is no general view in Schedule Builder, the platform should not be used for enrollment monitoring purposes.

To monitor enrollment, faculty and staff can use any of the following: Class Roster, Class Search, and/or Enrollment Management Dashboards.