CourseShare for Non-UMN BTAA Students
Your CourseShare Questions Answered + Tips for Success
The University of Minnesota (UMN) welcomes students from Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) universities who are registered for language and culture classes through the CourseShare program. As a student enrolled in a course through CourseShare, you will be an honorary Gopher for a semester with access to some UMN technology and educational resources, while ultimately receiving credit from your home institution.
At UMN, CourseShare is coordinated by the Language Center, with the support of the local language programs. Your home university CourseShare program is another source of support for you. We also encourage you to consider participating in the TandemPlus program, which is aimed at building a stronger language learning community on and off campus through language partnerships.
Important: If you are registered for a UMN course through CourseShare, please expect to receive an email from the UMN registrar to your home university email account about initiating your new UMN email account. This is the most essential step in accessing your course and connecting with your instructor. The email will come from the address [email protected] with the subject “ACTION REQUIRED: CourseShare Registration - University of Minnesota.” Please read this email carefully and follow the instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started and During the Class
At UMN, the semester start dates are timed to national holidays. Fall semester classes begin the day after Labor Day, and Spring semester classes begin the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Please see the UMN Academic Calendar for full information about the calendar, including break periods and final exams. Please note that UMN is in the Central Time Zone.
Make sure to initiate your UMN email account first (see above). Once you initiate your account, you will be able to access your email and class information via the University student portal at MyU.umn.edu. Please note that this email account will be the primary method of contact between you and your instructor. You can access your University email account directly at mail.umn.edu.
The class may be fully remote (everyone will attend remotely), HyFlex (some students will attend in person and others remotely), or a combination of two. However, if you are taking a UMN course through the CourseShare program, you will attend remotely. In most cases, you do not need to go to a designated location to receive the course, and can connect from home or a convenient quiet location for you. If you do need to report to a particular location, your local CourseShare coordinator will be in touch with you, or this will be on your home campus schedule.
If you encounter issues initiating your Internet account, please contact UMN technology help (or call 612-301-4357 or email [email protected]). If the technology helpline is not able to help you, please email the Language Center at [email protected], providing as much information as possible.
Technology varies by class, but you will likely use Canvas and Zoom at minimum. Any technology tools you use for class will likely be centrally supported at UMN.
Please email the Language Center at [email protected] and indicate the course you are enrolled in. You can also reach out directly to the instructor. Please use the public class search to see the schedule and instructor name. You might also reach out to your home CourseShare program or advisor with questions.
Please check your course syllabus. The course materials may be available for purchase through the UMN Bookstore, which does provide shipping services. Be careful about signing up for the UMN Course Works program, which is intended for students who are taking multiple classes at UMN.
Please let your home disability resource center know that you are enrolled in a remote course at another university, and contact the UMN Disability Resource Center or email [email protected].
Yes, most UMN language programs that have a remote enrollment option welcome guest and non-degree students. Please see information from the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, and register as a non-degree student. Please follow up with the instructor or academic department if you require a permission number to register.
Final Steps (after the class ends)
The grading process requires the work of multiple staff at two universities, and it does take time. You can check with your CourseShare contact at your home university, but there is probably nothing special you need to do for your grade to be applied – it may simply take longer than it does for regular classes. Please note that the UMN classes begin earlier and end later than some other universities, so the grades may come through later than your home institution.
Start by looking at the UMN Academic Calendar to confirm that the term has ended, and that university is not on a holiday break. You might reach out to your home CourseShare contact, or the UMN CourseShare program at [email protected] for assistance.
Tips for Success
- Make sure you know the start date of your class (see the UMN Academic Calendar)
- Look for the email from the UMN registrar and follow the instructions (see above)
- Use your UMN email account to connect with your instructor, and access the UMN Canvas site
- Speak up early if you have connection problems, or do not have access to course materials
- Consider participating in TandemPlus to connect with other learners
- Email the Language Center at [email protected] at any time with questions or concerns