A significant benefit of online courses is flexibility, and we understand that you may need to adjust your plans for any number of reasons.
Before you get started
Keep in mind that adding, dropping or withdrawing can have an impact on your degree path or your financial aid. Remember you can always talk to your academic advisor or your financial aid advisor if you aren’t sure about your next steps.
Whether you are a current or prospective student, this is your home base for information about every one of the four world-class campuses that form the foundation of Missouri Online. Learn more about the future-transforming experience you can expect at the campus that fits you best. Select a university above to get started.
Add
Your first step is to check university dates and deadlines to see if you are still able to add a course. In general, you have a larger window of time to add courses for self-paced courses than for semester-based courses.
When you’re ready, add your course by logging into myZou. First time using myZou?
If you are past those deadlines, you will need to fill out a form to add, drop or withdraw from courses or the term.
If a hold has been placed on your account
You may not be able to update your courses for financial or academic reasons. Within myZou, click on “Details” to find information on who to contact to have the hold removed. After taking care of that, you can add, drop or withdraw.
If your course is already full or restricted
For courses that are full or if students do not meet the prerequisites, we ask that students email missourionline@umsystem.edu for permission (for both degree-seeking and nondegree-seeking students).
You will not be able to enroll in the course until you receive a permission number via official Mizzou email. Then you can return to myZou and add the course.
Drop
The timing for dropping a course depends upon your type of course. If you drop the course within the following time frames, it will not appear on your official transcript:
- 16-week or 8-week session courses: Within the stated drop period set by the academic calendar
You may drop courses through myZou unless:
- It is your last or only course (which means a withdrawal)
- It is past the last day to drop without a grade
- There is a hold on your account
If you can’t drop your course through myZou, use the course withdrawal form.
Withdraw
The main difference between withdrawing and dropping is that, if withdrawing, the course will appear on your transcript with a grade of “W.” If you leave the course or withdraw from the university after the following time frames, it will be counted as a withdrawal:
- 16-week or 8-week session courses: After the stated drop period as set by the academic calendar
In both cases, you should inform the university of your withdrawal no later than one week (seven days) before the course ends.
To withdraw from a course, you’ll need to fill out the course withdrawal form and learn more about withdrawing from the university.
Financial implications of dropping or withdrawing
You are financially responsible for all course-related fees at the time of enrollment, and the longer you wait to drop or withdraw, the smaller your refund or fee assessment will be.
When you drop or withdraw, the amount of tuition refunded or the amount by which your bill is reduced will be based on the university's reassessment schedule, the date you officially begin the class and the date written notification is received by your university academic area. It will not be based on your last date of course attendance or participation. See the current fee reassessment schedule.
If you end up with a credit balance that you would like to save for future courses, you can complete a form with the Cashiers Office. Learn more about the refund and fee reassessment process for online students.
If you receive financial aid and are considering dropping a course, the Student Financial Aid office encourages you to contact them first so you can discuss how this will affect your financial aid package.
Regular self-paced refund and academic withdrawal dates will be based upon the full 19-week session. See the academic calendar for drop withdrawal schedule.