Non-Credit Registration

The catalog of non-credit programs at MSU are managed through cart.next.msu.edu, the university's registration system for continuing education and professional development offerings. Getting your program into the registration system is straightforward when you understand the steps, and much easier than building up the necessary systems and processes independently in an academic unit. This page explains what learners experience, what information you need to provide, and how ADI supports this process.

cart.next.msu.edu is the central registration and payment platform for MSU's portfolio of non-credit offerings across colleges, departments, and units. Learners browse the catalog, register directly, and receive automated confirmation, all in one place. Once your program is live, the platform handles the full learner journey: account creation, course discovery, checkout, payment processing, and access to course materials. You do not need to manage individual registrations or send confirmation communications. The system does that automatically.

Step 1 : Contact OPDM to initiate program setup

Before your program can go live, ADI (Academic Development and Innovation) needs to configure it in cart.next.msu.edu. This includes the program listing, sections, fee structure, and catalog placement. Reach out early as setup takes time and must be completed before registration opens.

Step 2: Obtain a credit card processing account through the MSU Payments gateway.

You will need to contact Merchant Services to request a Transact Payments Merchant Gateway. You will need assistance from your department or college fiscal officer to complete the required form for set up and to ensure PCI compliance and training. 

Step 3: Provide your program details

You will need to supply a program title, description, delivery format, dates, capacity, and pricing. The program description is what learners see when deciding whether to register, and the catalog listing determines how discoverable your program is.

Step 4: Confirm your fee structure and payment arrangements

Review the administrative fees that apply to all non-credit registrations and build them into your pricing from the start. Consider whether your audience will need a payment plan or whether your program may attract employer-sponsored participants requiring company billing. Decisions made at this stage shape how the system is set up and changing them after launch is more difficult than planning for them upfront.

Step 5: Prepare your learners for what to expect

Share the learner registration help page with participants ahead of registration opening. It walks them through creating an account, completing checkout, and accessing their program and  helps to reduce questions to your team on launch day.

Pricing a non-credit program requires more than setting a course fee. Before your program goes live, you need to account for the administrative fees that are applied to all non-credit registrations. Understanding them early gives you the information you need to price sustainably and avoid surprises after launch.