How to Prepare for Advisement

Where to Locate Your Registration Time Ticket

1. Go to Self-Service Aiken: Click Here
2. Log in using your USC credentials.
3. Click on the Student tab.
4. Select Student Profile.
5. In the upper-right corner of your Student Profile, click Registration Notices.
6. Your Registration Time Ticket will be displayed here. This shows when you are eligible to register for classes. Please note that Registration Time Tickets will only appear once the advisement and registration period begins, typically in October for Spring registration and March for Fall registration. If you are reviewing these steps before advisement month starts, your time ticket will not be available or visible yet.

• Tip: If you do not see your advisor, you will not be able to register for classes. We recommend that you see your advisor BEFORE your time ticket opens so your advising hold can be removed, and you are ready to register when your time ticket becomes available.

Additional Information Available in Student Profile

• While in Student Profile, you can also:
• Click Holds to view any registration, financial, or administrative holds on your account. If you have a hold on your account, you will not be able to register. Please resolve the hold before your time ticket opens so your hold can be removed
• View your assigned Academic Advisor and contact information by selecting their name.
• Review your declared major.
• Check your earned credit hours and GPA.

Review Your Major Map

Major Maps show the recommended course sequence for specific majors and concentrations and help you stay on track toward graduation.

1. Visit the USCA Major Maps webpage: click here
2. Select your major and the correct academic year.
3. Use your Major Map to:
• Cross off courses you have completed or are currently taking.
• Determine the remaining courses needed to complete the current year of your Major Map.
• Choose the remaining classes you plan to take next semester.
• If all courses in the current year have been completed, select courses from the next year of the Major Map.

Review Your DegreeWorks Audit

DegreeWorks allows you to see what classes you have completed, what classes you have remaining, and what options you can choose from to complete requirements

To access DegreeWorks:

1. Log in to Self-Service Aiken (SSA).
2. Click on the Student tab.
3. Select Advisement.
4. Click DegreeWorks Audit and Planner.

Tip: Compare your DegreeWorks audit with your Major Map to ensure you are selecting courses that keep you on track for graduation.

Now that you have used your Major Map to identify the recommended courses for your degree and reviewed DegreeWorks to determine which requirements you have completed and which remain, you can begin exploring course options for the upcoming semester.

Search for Classes

1. Log in to Self-Service Aiken ( SSA )
2. Click on the Student tab.
3. Select Registration.
4. Choose the term for which you want to search for classes (for example, Fall 2026).
5. Enter the following search criteria:
• Campus: USC Aiken
• Subject: Enter the four-letter subject code (for example, HIST for History).
• Course Number: Enter the course number. USC Aiken courses use an "A" followed by three digits (for example, A101).
6. Click Search.

Review Course Offerings

You will now be able to view all sections of that course being offered during the selected semester. Review available:

• Course sections
• Days and times
• Course formats
• Instructor information (if available)

Seat availability

Tip: You can also leave the Course Number blank and search with just the subject. This allows you to see all the courses offered in that department.

As you browse available courses:

• Select courses that align with your Major Map and DegreeWorks requirements.
• Consider course prerequisites and sequencing.
• Pay attention to potential time conflicts.

Tip: Have several course options available in case a class is full or unavailable when registration opens.

Use the Plan Ahead Shopping Cart

1. In SSA, click Student → Registration.
2. Select the appropriate term.
3. Click Registration Plan Ahead.
4. Select USC Aiken as the campus.
5. Enter the four-letter subject code (e.g., HIST).
6. Enter the course number, including the "A" (e.g., A101).
7. Click View Sections to see available sections for the semester.
8. When you find a section you want, click Add to place it in your Plan Ahead cart.
9. Repeat the process until you have a full proposed schedule.

Note: Adding courses to your Plan Ahead cart does not register you for classes. It simply saves courses for easy access when registration opens.

Create Backup Plans

You can create up to three Plan Ahead schedules. Having backup schedules is highly recommended in case classes fill, sections become unavailable, or schedule conflicts arise.

Before Your Advising Appointment

Review your Plan Ahead schedule(s) and bring them to your advising appointment so you can discuss your course selections and plans for the upcoming semester with your advisor.

Tip: Have several course options available in case a class is full when registration opens.

• Your advisor will contact you through your USCA email with instructions on how to schedule an appointment.
• We recommend scheduling your appointment before your registration time ticket date.
• Come prepared with your Plan Ahead schedule or a list of classes you would like to take.
• During your advising appointment, your advisor will review your course selections and make any additional recommendations.
• If you can no longer attend your appointment, you need to communicate this with your advisor. If they use Navigate to schedule, you can log in and cancel your appointment.

Reminder: Your advisement hold will not be removed until you meet with your advisor. This hold prevents you from registering for classes.

For registration instructions, click here