The College

Rhode Island School of Design Cross-Registration

Brown's cross-registration agreement with Rhode Island School of Design offers all Brown students the option of taking courses at the renowned Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), adjacent to Brown on College Hill.

Cross-registration at Brown or RISD is on a space-available basis and is subject to permission of the course instructor and the host-school’s Registrar.

RISD students interested in cross-registering in Brown University courses should visit the RISD Registrar webpage for detailed instructions on the process.

Instructions for Brown University Students, 2023-24 Academic Year

All Brown students have the option of taking a maximum of 4 course credits at the renowned Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), adjacent to Brown on College Hill. Students may count up to 4 credits from RISD courses toward graduation requirements at Brown. During the fall, winter, and spring terms, Brown students enroll at RISD under a cross-registration agreement that is part of their Brown tuition. RISD studios are most often 3 or 6 credits. Once approved, each 3-credit RISD course is regarded as the full equivalent of 1 Brown credit while each 6-credit RISD course is regarded as the full equivalent of 2 Brown credits. Students who register for a 6-credit course at RISD should be aware that they will only be able to register for up to three additional Brown courses in that semester. Upon satisfactory completion with a grade of C or better, the course is recorded on the student's Brown transcript. Students who cross-register for a course during the RISD Wintersession term should note that this course will be recorded in the spring term and counts toward the five courses students may take in the spring. While RISD Wintersession courses are included in spring term tuition for Brown students, they may carry additional course or materials costs; please check with the course instructor to confirm any additional costs.

Registration for RISD courses is on a space-available basis and is subject to permission of the RISD instructor and the RISD Registrar. Please be aware that RISD students receive priority enrollment in RISD Wintersession courses. Completion of VISA 100 is recommended and may be required for some courses. Students seeking an exception to the 4-credit policy for cross-registration at RISD should consult information on how to petition the Committee on Academic Standing.

    Registration Process

    Brown students who wish to register for a RISD course in the fall, winter, or spring terms should take the following steps:

    1. Access the RISD Course Listings. Use the filters to search by 'Academic Period' (e.e. Spring 2024). Only courses with an Enrollment Status of 'Open' should be considered. Brown students may cross-register at RISD for any modality course (in-person, hybrid, or online).
    2. Before filling out the cross-registration form, indicate interest in a course by emailing the instructor using their email address included in the Course Listing
    3. Fill out RISD’s electronic cross-registration form. This electronic add form will not be available until RISD’s first day of classes for the semester and will close on the last day of the RISD add/drop period. Brown students may authenticate into the form using their @brown.edu email address.
    4. Review RISD’s Health and Safety Protocols linked in the form and agree to follow them.
    5. Once the form is submitted, it will be routed electronically through the permission process.
    6. Once all approvals have been secured, the RISD and Brown Registrar’s Offices will register the student for the course.

    VIEW CROSS-REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS (PDF)

    Important Dates for the 2023-24 Academic Year

    Visit the RISD Registrar’s website for more information on RISD’s academic calendar.

    Please note that the electronic cross-registration form cannot be started until RISD’s first day of classes for the semester and will close on the last day of the RISD Add/Drop period.

    Fall 2023
    9/6/2023 RISD Fall semester courses begin
    9/6 - 9/13/2023

    RISD's Add/Drop period
    Cross-registration will not be available after September 13

    Winter 2024
    1/4/2024 RISD Wintersession begins 
    1/4 - 1/11/2024

    RISD's Add/Drop period
    Cross-registration will not be available after January 11

    Spring 2024
    2/15/2024 RISD Spring semester begins
    2/15 - 2/22/2024

    RISD's Add/Drop period
    Cross-registration will not be available after February 22

    Independent Study Projects

    In rare exceptions, Brown students are able to cross-register for an Independent Study Project (ISP) with full-time RISD faculty only. Any Brown student planning an ISP should email registrar@risd.edu for further instruction. Include in the email the RISD faculty member that you wish to register for an ISP with. ISPs are not available via the electronic cross-registration form. 

    Cross-Registration with Anticipated May Graduation

    Brown seniors in their final semester are discouraged from cross-registering in the spring term. RISD’s spring semester ends after Brown’s, and grades are not due until after Brown’s Commencement ceremony. As a result, this may delay graduation from Brown.

    Graduate Students

    Brown graduate students seeking to cross-register at RISD are also required to seek permission from the Brown Graduate School. Graduate students should refer to the Graduate School's instructions for cross-registration, which involves submitting a petition in UFunds (search for "Graduate Student Administrative Forms - RISD and Harvard Cross-Registration").

    Summer Session

    Summer session is not included in the cross-registration agreement. Brown students pay RISD directly when they register for a summer class. RISD summer courses are subject to Brown’s transfer credit policy and approval procedures, which students should review and follow closely. Students considering taking a summer course at RISD should consult the section in ASK that outlines the transfer credit policy (Student Petitions > Transfer Credits > Information). If transferred to Brown, RISD summer courses count towards the maximum 4 credits of RISD coursework eligible for graduation requirements at Brown.

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