CourseShare FAQ for UMN Students

See the class list, or look for the LANG subject on Schedule Builder. Don’t see the language you’re interested in studying? Ask! We might be able to find an institution that is currently offering it.

The participating universities are:

• University of Chicago
• University of Illinois
• Indiana University
• University of Iowa
• University of Maryland
• University of Michigan
• Michigan State University
• University of Minnesota
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Northwestern University
• Ohio State University
• Pennsylvania State University
• Purdue University
• Rutgers University
• University of Wisconsin-Madison

You can complete the CLA language requirement by passing a fourth-semester language course worth at least four credits with a C- or better. Please note that in some instances, a CourseShare language sequence course could be three instead of four credits, because it meets for fewer than four contact hours. If you complete a fourth semester course (Intermediate II level) that is valued at fewer than four credits, the course alone may not fulfill the requirement, and you may also need to also pass a test or engage in an additive language experience. Please contact your advisor with general questions about the language requirement, and the Language Center at elsie@umn.edu with questions about fourth-semester courses that are fewer than four credits.

Students may register for already scheduled courses just like any other course under the LANG designator. If the course is not already scheduled, submit a course request or email elsie@umn.edu. Students are encouraged to register as early as possible. Please note that it is generally not possible to add these courses once they are already in session at the sending university, and that academic calendars vary. 

Most courses are remote, and you can connect from home. Some classes will require you to join in a scheduled room on campus for all or some of the sessions. See the course information for details. 

Generally not. Different universities have different academic schedules. Please note the “meeting dates” for the class in Schedule Builder. Please also expect some variation in academic breaks, holidays and final exam periods. In addition, many universities in the Big Ten are in the Eastern time zone, not the Central time zone. The scheduled time for LANG courses have been converted to Central time in Schedule Builder.

All Beginning I courses are intended for true beginners of the language. If you are interested in Vietnamese language, and are not a true beginner, there is a Vietnamese self-placement tool to help guide you to the right course. If you are interested in a different language, and are not a beginner nor continuing in a course sequence, please email elsie@umn.edu as soon as possible for assistance. 

Shortly the CourseShare course begins (based on the start date), registered students will receive an email from the sending university (often from the registrar's office) about the process for accessing course resources, including the course site. The sending university may use different technology tools than the University of Minnesota, or those tools may be configured differently. It is important to follow the instructions sent by the sending university. 

See CLA's Scholarships for Language Students for more information. View the full list of scholarships. Any that include "And more!" in the Language(s) column may be applicable to students enrolled in CourseShare courses. The FLAS Fellowship program is probably the most commonly used funding opportunity for CourseShare language courses. 

If you are a University of Minnesota student enrolled in a CourseShare course at another university and would like to explore using disability accommodations for your cours(es), please contact the Language Center at elsie@umn.edu.

If you are a student from another university who is taking a course at the University of Minnesota (UMN) through CourseShare and would like to explore using disability accommodations for your cours(es), please contact the UMN Disability Resource Center at drc@umn.edu.

The syllabus that you receive from the sending university will have information about required and optional course materials. If books and other materials are required, your syllabus will likely have information about purchasing. Generally these materials will not be available for purchase at the UMN Bookstore. The new Course Works program does not include materials for received CourseShare courses, because the instruction is coming from outside of UMN. Please be advised that if you sign up for the Course Works Complete option, materials for courses with the LANG subject will not be included.  

CourseShare is intended for University of Minnesota undergraduate and graduate students in a degree-seeking program registering for course credit. While the program is not open to guest and non-degree students, most locally-taught language programs welcome these students. Please contact the appropriate department with questions about registering as a guest/non-degree student. In addition, guest/non-degree students interested in a language taught at another university may be able to register directly at that university. 

The TandemPlus program is open for all students, including those enrolled in CourseShare courses. It’s a great opportunity to practice the language you’re learning with native speakers and meet other students.

Jones Hall small rooms with conferencing equipment can be reserved by students for class meetings. Use the reservation form to get started.

The Multimedia Lab & Student Lounge is open for all language students and is one of the few labs on campus with headsets.