Force-add information
(updated April 13, 2026)
No force-adds will be accepted for full classes.
If you are a student outside of the CS Department and are interested in enrolling in a CS graduate course, you may register on your own once department restrictions are lifted. Most department restrictions are removed after July 1, at which point remaining seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pre-requisite restrictions will still be enforced after department restrictions are removed. If you are unable to add a course due to a pre-requisite issue, you will need to wait until the Force Add request process opens (two weeks before the first day of classes).
The Graduate CS Office will open the Force Add Request form two weeks before the first day of classes. The form will stay open through the last day to add classes. Students should check the academic calendar to confirm the exact opening and closing dates each term.
Force Add Request Form (opens two weeks before the first day of classes)
Accelerated MS or MEng Students: The accelerated UG/GR course designation and degree form must first be signed by the student and their undergraduate advisor. Once those signatures are complete, submit your UG/GR Course Designation form through the CS Graduate Forms Portal. The Graduate Program Office will obtain the remaining department signatures for you.
Please do not email signature requests directly to the CS Department Head or Graduate Program Director.
Only courses listed on your course desingation form will be approved for force-add. If you need to update or complete your form, contact your grad advisor to request up to 4 CS graduate-level courses. No force-adds will be accepted for full classes.
- CS MEng: Rebecca Stevenson
- CS MS: Andrea Sirles
- non-CS Master's: Contact your graduate (or undergrad) advisor in your home department. The CS Graduate Office will verify that the approved course designations are entered in Navigate before processing any force-add requests.
Campus Restriction the CS Graduate Office cannot change your campus, and you cannot force-add a course offered at a different campus. If you believe your campus designation is incorrect, email registrar@vt.edu
Local Address Issues? Also contact registrar@vt.edu.
No force-adds will be accepted for full classes.
Force-add policy
(Last Updated: November 19, 2025)
Force-add requests are considered a request, not a guarantee. While every effort is made to process all force-add requests, some may not be accommodated due to course capacities, room size limitations, and pedagogical best practices.
- Do not email course instructors for permission to force-add a course. Faculty members cannot and will not process force-add requests.
- The force-add process is not a substitute for proper course request and enrollment during the add/drop period. Students who rely solely on force-add requests instead of utilizing the regular course request and registration processes may face significant challenges in finalizing their schedules.
There are circumstances when a student may need to submit a force-add request for a course. Please expand each section below to learn more.
- How to resolve: Submit a force-add request to address prerequisite errors.
- What you need: Provide proof that you successfully completed the prerequisite course with a grade of B or higher.
- For more details on how credits transfer, refer to the transfer credits section on the university’s website.
If you are a student outside of the CS Department and are interested in enrolling in a CS graduate course, you may register on your own once department restrictions are lifted. Most department restrictions are removed after July 1, at which point remaining seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pre-requisite restrictions will still be enforced after department restrictions are removed. If you are unable to add a course due to a pre-requisite issue, you will need to wait until the Force Add request process opens (two weeks before the first day of classes).
The Graduate CS Office will open the Force Add Request form two weeks before the first day of classes. The form will stay open through the last day to add classes. Students should check the academic calendar to confirm the exact opening and closing dates each term. No force-adds will be accepted for full classes.
Accelerated MS or MEng Students: Only courses listed on your approved accelerated UG/GR course designation form will be considered. Contact your grad advisor to request up to 4 CS graduate-level courses. No force-adds will be accepted for full classes.
- Complete the Course Designation Request (commonly called the "double-count form") before submitting a force-add request.
- Force-adds for courses not listed on the double-count form will be denied.
- MEng Accelerated students: Rebecca Stevenson
- MS Accelerated students: Andrea Sirles
- No force-adds will be accepted for full classes.
- Not listed on force-add form: Courses that are full will not appear on the CS force-add form
- Check for openings: Students should regularly monitor the drop/add system for available spots.
- Do not contact instructors: Instructors cannot override enrollment limits or force-add students into their courses.
Campus Restriction the CS Graduate Office cannot change your campus, and you cannot force-add a course offered at a different campus. If you believe your campus designation is incorrect, email registrar@vt.edu
Local Address Issues?
Also contact registrar@vt.edu.
No force-adds will be accepted for full classes.