CRN

Education & Academia abbreviation · Academic

CRN
Stands forCourse reference number
CategoriesEducation & Academia

CRN stands for Course reference number, an academic abbreviation.

Unique number that identifies a specific section of a course in a given term, used to register in student information systems such as Ellucian Banner. Different sections of the same course have different CRNs.

Example: Enter the CRN for the Tuesday evening section when you register.

Usage notes

The CRN changes every term, whereas the course number (such as CHEM 101) stays the same. Students often copy CRNs into a registration worksheet before their registration window opens. Some systems call it a class number or section ID.

More academic abbreviations

  • CGPA – Cumulative grade point average
  • CHEA – Council for Higher Education Accreditation
  • CMOS – Chicago Manual of Style
  • Co-PI – Co-principal investigator
  • COA – Cost of attendance
  • CPT – Curricular Practical Training
  • CSS Profile – College Scholarship Service Profile
  • CV – Curriculum vitae (course of life)
  • DSO – Designated school official
  • EA – Early action
  • EC – Extracurricular activity
  • ED – Early decision

See all 124 academic abbreviations →