Additionally, students can review data on graduation rates, an indirect indicator of course availability, by using the College Scorecard tool as well as the government’s College Navigator to see the proportion of students earning a degree within a certain number of years of enrollment. The higher the percentage, the better.
The Cal State system has a database that students can use to check which programs or schools have limited enrollment capacity, Ms. House said.
What else can students do to get the courses they need?
More colleges are teaming up with other affiliated institutions or even those in other states to offer online course exchanges to fill gaps in their schedules, said Yolanda Watson Spiva, president of Complete College America, an Indianapolis nonprofit that aims to increase college graduation rates. However, before enrolling in such a course, check with your own college’s registrar to see if they accept credits from that provider. “Do your due diligence,” she said.
Prospective students can also inquire about special programs to help students graduate on time, Mr. DeBaun said. The State University of New York system, for example, offers the ASAP program to eligible students to help them stay on track through benefits such as personal advising and priority course registration, he said. Similarly, some schools may offer honors programs that offer priority registration as a perk.
Students should also pay careful attention to their college’s course registration windows, Dr. Robles. Make an appointment with your academic advisor early so that you can register for the courses as soon as registration begins. This gives you the best chance of getting the courses you want.
And be aware that at some community colleges, students who attend multiple semesters may receive “priority” enrollment in in-demand courses, said Robert Fairlie, a professor of public policy and economics at the University of California, Los Angeles.