What are CRNs and course numbers?

Explanation of Course Reference Numbers (CRNs)

Last Updated: January 23rd, 2024

The CRN (Course Reference Number) is a five-digit number that identifies a specific section of a course. 

The first number in the CRN is the term for the course:

  • 1 - summer
  • 2 - fall
  • 3 - winter
  • 4 - spring

Course numbers are assigned during the process of section building, can be reused term by term, and are used to identify the content covered in a course. 

  • Credit courses have a course number that includes letters and numbers (e.g. WR 121, ART 115).
  • Pre-college credit courses have course numbers below 100, and do not transfer to a 4-year institution.
  • Non-credit course numbers have letters and numbers in the format XART 5785. The "X" before the subject and the four-digit numbers identify the course as non-credit.

You may occasionally see a longer CRN number that includes a year and term code. The first four digits identify the year (i.e. 2022, 2023, 2024, ect) and the last two identify the specific term (i.e. 10 = Summer, 20 = Fall, 30 = Winter, 40 = Spring)

  • 202410 = Summer of 2023
  • 202420 = Fall of 2023
  • 202430 = Winter of 2024
  • 202440 = Spring of 2024

Example: 202320-21234 would be a course delivered in the Fall term of 2023. 202330-31234 would be a course delivered in the Winter term of 2024


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The student help desk is located on main campus in the Library (center building).

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