Registration Instructions for Full-Time MBA

Spring 2024

START THE REGISTRATION PROCESS IN RaPS

The GSM has its own registration system. GSM students do not use Schedule Builder to register for GSM classes. You will access two different systems for registration and payment.

  1. RaPS (Registration and Processing System) for registration (add/drops)
  2. MyBill for payment

Below are the instructions for registering for GSM courses. Please contact your program manager with any registration questions.

Important Tips for Using RaPS (Read before proceeding)

  • Before you have access to RaPS, you must set up your UC Davis computing account (if you have not already done so). You will need your UC Davis Login ID and (Kerberos) passphrase to register.
  • Registration and all GSM adds/drops/course changes processes in RaPS (and are forwarded electronically to campus systems).
  • All holds must be removed from your student account before your registration can process. Holds can be for financial issues, immunizations, or other missing requirements.
  • Mobile Devices: Do not use mobile devices to process RaPS registration or MyBill payments.
  • Dropping Classes: Students cannot drop their last class, nor can they drop classes after the add/drop deadline. If you need to drop your last class or drop a class after add/drop, contact your program manager directly.
  • Student Directory: You will receive an automated prompt allowing you to update your directory one week prior to your registration group being open. Please confirm the information in the directory before proceeding to registration. This includes updating your name pronunciation in the directory.

Registration and Processing System (RaPS) Actions

Registration Dates and Deadlines

February 12: Reg 1 Opens (Fall 2022 entering students or prior)
February 13: Reg 2 Opens (Fall 2023 entering students)

Registration in RaPS transmits to the campus system on an hourly basis during these times:

  • Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.
  • Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Any registration submitted outside of these times will be submitted as soon as the campus system re-opens. Expect to receive an automated enrollment confirmation email within 24 hours of registering.


February 20 - March 14: Cross Registration to Online MBA is processed and confirmed
February 20 - April 10: Cross Registration requests to other on-premise programs (Sacramento MBA, Bay Area MBA) Confirmed

Students select cross-registration courses during the initial registration period. Students receive priority at their home location.

Online MBA cross-registration processing ends on March 14 to allow for administrative processing. No Online cross-registrations will occur after this date.

You will receive an emailed enrollment confirmation if you are added to a cross-registered course. See detailed Cross Registration Instructions in the Cross Registration section.


February 22: Student Bills Available on MyBill

February 26, at 11:59 p.m.: Initial Registration Deadline

Students must enroll by the initial registration deadline to ensure the receipt of their quarterly billing statement. Schedule adjustments (add/drops) can be made through the add/drop deadline.

If you do not plan to enroll this quarter, you must submit your petition for the Planned Educational Leave (PELP) by the  initial registration deadline February 26. Please contact the GSM Registrar Lisa Sanchas or your Program Manager Jacqueline Romo.


February 27, by 11:59 p.m.: Unit totals increase to 16 units

Unit totals are limited to 14 units through the initial registration deadline.


March 15: Student Fee Payment Deadline

Student can access their bill and pay through MyBill.

A registration hold could be placed if you do not meet the Student Fee Payment deadline.

Financial Aid Funding for course fees: Financial aid funds will be reflected in MyBill prior to fees being due (see this link for the date). If financial aid does not disburse as anticipated or you have other questions about your financial aid, please contact Financial Aid at gradmail@ad3.ucdavis.edu

Deferred Payment Plan: Only students who have enrolled in the Deferred Payment Plan (DPP) through MyBill may pay on the 15th of each month in installments. All other students are expected to pay in full by the Fee Payment Deadline.


March 15–18: Registration Freeze

No registration actions (add/drop) are processed during the freeze that starts on March 15 at midnight and will end on March 18 at 6 a.m.

The freeze goes into effect on the Student Fee Payment Deadline (see above) to allow payments to be properly applied to the student account balance due.


April 1: Instruction Begins

April 10: Final Add/Drop Deadline for Quarter

RaPS does not process add/drop requests after the add/drop deadline has passed. Any class change request after the deadline needs to be sent directly to the GSM Registrar.

All classes, regardless of the start date, must be added or dropped by this deadline. 

Any registration request made after the final add/drop deadline is an exception, regardless of when the first course meeting is. 

Note: Due to the design of the course, some instructors will not allow students to add after the first class meeting. Please contact the instructor for permission prior to adding the course.


June 10-13: Final Exams

You are expected to attend courses through the end of finals, including all final exams at their posted times.


June 28: Grades Available

Registration Process

Registration in RaPS transmits to the campus system every hour during these hours:

Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. - 7:59 p.m. Registration requests submitted outside these times are date/time stamped and submitted when the campus system re-opens.

Once the course schedule is published but no earlier than two weeks before registration opens, you can add courses to your schedule “shopping cart”. Once your registration date is reached, any courses that are in your cart will be automatically processed. The ability to add courses to your cart does not guarantee your placement in a course. Once the enrollment request processes, you will be notified of your enrollment or placed on a waitlist via email.  

1. Login

Use your UC Davis Login ID and (Kerberos) passphrase.

2. Update Student Directory

Before you enter the registration system, you must update your Student Directory information. Please update your information to your local address while attending UC Davis. You must also provide your name pronunciation.

3. Manage Schedule

Some required courses may be preloaded to your cart. Review your registration and add or remove course(s), if necessary, under Manage Schedule.

4. Adding/Dropping Courses

Add the additional course(s) in Manage Schedule, then Add Courses. Select course(s) and then Add to My Schedule. To remove a course, go to Manage Schedule then click the red X next to the course.

5. Review your Enrollments

If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, return to RaPS, Manage Schedule and check your status in the Enrollment Status column. Click on the word in that column for additional information on your current status.

UCDavis MyBill Student Bill & Payment Overview

Quarterly payment deadlines can be viewed on the UC Davis Fees & Billing Calendar. The GSM follows the undergraduate student fee payment deadlines (Sept. 15, Dec.15, March 15). For info on how and where to pay, visit Cashier & Payment Solutions here.

GSM Students who miss the payment deadline are subject to a registration hold for future quarters.

Students can access their bill and pay through MyBill. MyBill account balances and activity are updated in real time throughout the day. Please note that the MyBill statement is a monthly statement; it is only updated on the 22nd day of each month. UC Davis does not issue payment reminders.

Students adding courses after the Student Fee Payment Deadline: Any additional units added after the Fee Payment Deadline may result in additional charges on a student bill.  Students are expected to pay this balance immediately.

Financial Aid Funding for course fees: Financial aid funds will be reflected in MyBill prior to fees being due (see this link for actual date). If financial aid does not disburse as anticipated or you have specific questions about your financial aid, please contact Financial Aid by emailing gradmail@ucdavis.edu

Deferred Payment Plan: Only students who have enrolled in the Deferred Payment Plan (DPP) through MyBill may pay on the 15th of each month in installments. All other students are expected to pay in full by the Fee Payment Deadline or immediately upon enrolling in additional courses after the Fee Payment Deadline.

Employer Sponsorship: If your employer will be paying your course fees directly to UC Davis, the Student Accounting Office can set up a sponsor authorization, which allows UC Davis to apply a temporary credit to your account. More info here or contact the Student Accounting Office at sponsor@ucdavis.edu.

Refunds are processed by the Student Accounting Office. Questions should be directed to Student Accounting.

Registration Groups Defined

Registration groups are designated to allow students with higher unit totals (and closer to completing their degree) to enroll in courses first. Additional registration groups will follow in descending order of unit totals. All students are notified by email before registration starts the date they are eligible to register. All registration group dates are listed in the registration instructions of each program, respectively.

Group Definition Full-Time

Reg1 Students who entered in Fall 2022 or earlier
Reg2 Students who entered in Fall 2023

Note: Currently enrolled units are not counted as “completed” units.

If a student in Reg1 fails to register before Reg2 starts registration, they do not receive any “priority” status. All enrollments are based on the date stamp of registration in RaPS.

If you require a particular class or section, we encourage you to register on the first day your registration group is open for the best chance at getting their choice. Be aware this strategy does not work in every instance based on demand.

Enrollment Adjustments, Including Wait Lists

Wait Lists

When a class is fully enrolled, RaPS immediately starts a wait list.

A student will be automatically enrolled in the course  if (when) space becomes available. Your place on the wait list is based on the date/time stamp of your registration. The wait list ends officially on the last day to add/drop for the quarter (regardless of when the first class meeting is).

Class Attendance if Wait Listed

A wait listed student may attend the first class meeting and inform the instructor of their status. If there is a seat in the classroom, the instructor has discretion to allow the student to remain for the first class meeting.  A wait listed student should not take a seat from a fully enrolled student if seating is limited.

The instructor cannot change your place on the wait list.

Once initial registration closes, course enrollments and wait lists are reviewed by the GSM administration. That review is guided by set GSM course enrollment guidelines. For elective courses, the maximum enrollments are based on the number of seats in the assigned classroom or a maximum of 60, whichever is lower of the two. Faculty members may also set a lower enrollment cap for their class based on pedagogical reasons. After initial registration closes, any adjustments that can be made (e.g., changing room assignments) will be done in an effort to move as many students into their preferred courses as possible.

NON-GSM UNITS: Adding Units to RaPS Schedule and the Registration Process

Please review the Policies and Procedures sections 7.6 regarding taking non-GSM units. 

Students must follow these steps to enroll in a non-GSM course.

  1. In RaPS, Manage Schedule, click on the button at the bottom of the page Add Non-GSM Course. This is NOT a list of non-GSM courses available to MBA students, but only a place holder in RaPS to process the outside enrollment accurately. Enter the number of units for the non-GSM course into RaPS and proceed with finalizing registration.
  2. After 24 hours, your total unit count for the quarter will be reflected in SISWEB/Schedule Builder. Login to Schedule Builder and use the CRN for the non-GSM course and enroll yourself in the that system. NOTE:  If you attempt to enroll in Schedule Builder prior to adding the non-GSM course to RaPS, you will receive the following error message: Maximum Units Exceeded and you will be prevented from adding the non-GSM course.
  3.  Non-GSM units (or courses taken outside the GSM at UC Davis) do not appear in the RaPS Student Advisor tab that lists your coursework. The information in RaPS is limited to GSM course offerings/units/grades only. If you have taken a non-GSM course, you will need to review information on units/grades in SISWEB.

Cross Registration

Cross Registration Overview 

Students may select cross registration courses during the initial registration period.

In RaPS, select courses in Manage Schedule and Register for Courses. Cross registration does not process until after the initial registration period closes.

Cross Registration Policies and Procedures

See GSM Policies and Procedures, Section 2.5 E:  All students can take up to a total of 36 units of cross registration course during their matriculation at the GSM. Not all courses are taught in all locations and students are advised to make cross registration requests judiciously with this in mind.

Cross Registration Procedures

MBA students can request cross-registration in courses at other GSM campuses under these guidelines:

  1. There are no additional fees to cross register into the other MBA programs.
  2. Cross Registration into the Online MBA program must be completed prior to the processing dates (noted in the Registration Dates and Deadlines).  No Online MBA cross registrations will be permitted past the cross registration processing time period
Administrative Process

Cross registration is processed through RaPS during the cross registration period for that program. 

If there is space available in the course you selected, you will receive an automated enrollment confirmation email once the cross registration period begins.

Full-Time MBA Program Course Information

Course materials and parking are your responsibility. Textbooks are available through the UC Davis Bookstore.

Access to Gallagher Hall and Location

Students, faculty and staff are allowed access with their Aggie Access Card 24/7

Davis Campus Guide

Sacramento MBA Program Course Information

Course materials and parking are your responsibility. Textbooks are available through the UC Davis Bookstore.

Directions (including parking information) to the UC Davis-Sacramento Education Building

Key Card Information for the UC Davis-Sacramento Education Building

You will need a Sacramento Campus access/card badge to enter the Education Building and the GSM office after hours. These keycards function as your ID badge and are required because the building is part of a medical campus. Once your cross registration enrollment is confirmed, the GSM administration will have a security badge created for you. You will be contacted by the Sacramento instructional and operations manager when your card is ready to be picked up. This process can take up to two weeks.

Information returned from the instructor will be available at the GSM office at the Sacramento Education Building. Students only have a mailbox at their home campus.

Bay Area Program Information
Bishop Ranch Directions and Parking

There is no cost for parking at Bishop Ranch 15, and a permit is not required.

Bishop Ranch Access Cards

Bishop Ranch 15 (building 12647) requires the UC Davis Aggie access card for entrance to the suite.

Students, faculty and staff are allowed access via their access cards 24/7. If you experience issues or need a replacement card, contact the Aggie Access Card Office.

Online MBA Program Course Information

Once cross registration has processed, an online administrator will contact the student with the information to access the courses online.

Additional Resources

GSM Academic Calendar (including Holidays)

The current calendar is available in RaPS. Go to RAPS, login and select Academic Calendar tab

Courses, Numbering and Concentrations

For a current listing of courses offered, use RaPS. Links to curriculum and concentration information can be found on the bottom left of the schedule page.

Courses and Concentrations

If you have questions about an individual course, please check the course syllabus and/or contact the instructor directly.

If you have questions about the applicability of a certain course to your goals, please contact MBA Academic Advisor, Professor Joe Chen.

Course Numbering
COURSES NUMBERED 29* AND 49*

In the 290 series (291, 292, etc.), courses appear as “Topics in….” with a subject listed (Marketing, Finance, etc.).

In the 490 series, courses appear as “Dir Grp Mgmt Prac” (Directed Group Management Practicum).

Independent/Group Study, Enrollment and Grade Info

INDEPENDENT or GROUP STUDY (298, 299, 498, 499 Courses)
Complete the Independent Study Form, have the sponsoring faculty member and the GSM Graduate Advisor sign it and submit it at least three weeks prior to the start of the quarter. We must request a CRN from the Office of the University Registrar which will take several days to receive.

Group study students need to submit all forms as one packet complete with all signatures for the entire group. Do not submit forms individually for a group study project. Reference the Registration Instructions for the deadline.

These course titles appear as “Directed Independent Study” or “Directed Group Study.”

  • Enrollment
    • Not Enrolling this Quarter - Filing Non-Registration Forms
    • Enrolling in Fewer than 6 Units - What you need to know
  • Grades
    • Availability
    • Grade and Registration Letter for Reimbursement
    • Grade Change and Incomplete Change Timeline

Refunds, SISWEB, Canvas, Tax Information