Intro to Course Works
Before the start of the fall and spring semester, all degree-seeking undergraduate students are enrolled in Course Works Complete. This offers students the opportunity to explore the program benefits and decide on their preferred level of participation. If a student chooses to opt out of the Course Works Complete, they move into Course Works Select, where they can choose, course-by-course, which materials they want to source through Course Works and which, if any, they want to source themselves. Each item assigned in a course will have its pre-negotiated price clearly displayed so students can make the best choice for themselves. Library and open educational resources materials are always available for free to all students, regardless of participation in Course Works.
Key decision dates will be published each semester and can be viewed on the Important Dates page.
Opting Steps: Non-Degree Students and Graduate Students
Course Works Program Benefits
Benefits to Students
- Access to materials: Students have access to their materials by the first day of class and have perpetual access to many course materials, as available from the publisher.
- Low and predictable costs: A flat rate reduces overall course materials costs when compared to traditional market prices and creates predictability for students. The program fee is charged to their student account to minimize out-of-pocket expenses and enable financial aid coverage.
- Single entry point: All digital materials sourced via the program will be made available through an easy-to-find Course Works link in Canvas navigation, including textbooks, library materials, and open educational resources identified by the faculty or instructor.
Benefits to Faculty and Instructors
- Preserves academic freedom: Faculty and instructors have full academic freedom whether they are assigning library materials, paid publisher content, or free resources—all types of course materials are available for adoption. If faculty or instructors determine that printed materials are required for pedagogical purposes, they will be made available to students instead of digital.
- Enhanced insights: Faculty and instructors will be able to use Canvas to gain greater insight into how students who have opted in to the program are engaging with materials.
- No change in how materials are adopted: This is not an outsourced or commercial program. Campus stores and libraries continue to collaborate to deliver your content, and we continue to support the development and adoption of open educational resources.
Gaining Access and Using Your Course Materials
Print Materials
If a course requires print materials they will be provided at the campus store. If a student simply prefers print materials, they will be available for an additional nominal cost. Students will receive a message in their umn.edu email when their materials are ready for pick up. Shipping options are also available if students are unable to pick up their materials, please email [email protected] to arrange shipping.
Digital Materials
By the first day of classes, undergraduate students enrolled in Course Works Complete can access required digital content/textbooks for any course through Canvas, and undergraduate students enrolled in Course Works Select will be able to access any materials they choose to acquire through the program.
Participating in the Program
Undergraduates (degree-seeking)
Degree-seeking undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in Course Works Complete at the start of each semester (Fall and Spring). View the Student FAQs for more information on choices available in Course Works Complete vs. Course Works Select.
Undergraduates (non-degree), Graduate and Professional Students:
With some exceptions, all other students (non-degree undergraduate, graduate, and professional) are eligible for the Course Works Select program. Participation, access and billing vary by student and course.
- Complete students can opt out and move into Select
- Both Complete and Select students can opt out of Course Works entirely and pursue course materials on their own
Billing
Students participating in Course Works Complete will see the $279 flat-rate fee on their student account for the Fall and Spring semesters. If a Complete student opts out during the opting period, the $279 charge will be credited to their student account. If a student wants to opt out of Complete each semester (Fall and Spring), they must do it each term; in other words, opting out in Fall will not carry over to Spring—they must opt out again.
Students participating in Course Works Select will see a charge on their student account that reflects the cost of the individual materials. If a Select student opts out during the opting period, the individual charge(s) will be credited to their student account.
For more information, view the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page. The opting period on each campus can be found on the Important Dates page.
If you are receiving financial aid, you may need to authorize your aid so it can pay all charges on your bill.