How Do I Choose a Course?

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If you’re like most adult students, you’re balancing work, family life, and other responsibilities. That’s why we recommend starting with a single course.

It’s possible, however, to take more than one course per term. This choice depends on your schedule, the courses you choose, and your personal motivation.

1. WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER AS I CHOOSE A COURSE?

How do you learn best?
Do you like the structure of a scheduled class with a instructor? Then consider a regularly scheduled, on-campus class. Do you like to work on your own? Do you have good organizational and time management skills? Then consider a course offered through the Independent and Distance Learning (IDL) program.
What level of course might be most appropriate?
The level of the course is indicated by the first figure of the 4-digit course number, which follows the departmental abbreviation.
What would you enjoy studying?
Take a look at the complete listing of course descriptions in the Course Guide.

2. WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW WHICH PROGRAM I WANT?

Talk to someone in your field of interest
Find out what the job or career involves. Ask the person you’re interviewing about both the positive and negative aspects of the job or career. Find out why they chose that type of work and how they prepared for it.
Talk with a career counselor
The College of Continuing Education’s career and lifework planning services offers a variety of services for professional adults who are in career transition and/or considering going back to school.
“Try it on”
Taking one course can help you clarify career and lifework questions. In addition, it might be wise to do some volunteer work related to the field as a way to “try on” your ideas.

3. WHAT SHOULD I TAKE?
Start by learning about what is required for your undergraduate or graduate
degree or program.

Undergraduate degree

College writing course
This is a good place to start if you haven’t already taken a college English composition course.
Liberal Education (LE) Requirements
a) All undergraduate degrees, except the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree, require completion of Liberal Education (LE) requirements. The LEs introduce you to the major branches of knowledge that are fundamental to a well-rounded education. Most people complete LEs relatively early in their degree progress.

b) If you’re interested in one of the several applied, industry-driven majors of the College the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree, designed for the working adult, start by taking the admission course prerequisites (courses required for admission to that specific program).
Major requirements , which provide depth in a single field of study

Graduate or professional degree

Admission prerequisites, if any: Consult the academic department (by phone or the departmental Web site) for information.
Required courses: It may be possible to take a few major requirements before you are admitted. Contact the major department to discuss this possibility.

Note: Students who are not yet admitted to a graduate degree program need BOTH a special registration form AND special permission from the department. See "Registration Procedures" in the section entitled "How Do I Register?" for more information.

4. WHAT IF I HAVE PREVIOUS AND/OR OLD CREDITS?

Undergraduate

Undergraduate credits do not “expire.” Credits earned in the past still count, even if you took the courses 20 or more years ago. But some courses may need to be retaken if the content has changed significantly and your educational plans require current knowledge.
Avoid taking a course that sounds like something you have already taken.
Look for gaps in:
- Liberal Education (LE) requirements
  a) If you have completed the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MTC), you have fulfilled the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities’ “Diversified Core” and “Designated Themes” of the Liberal Education requirements; the “Writing Intensive” requirement will need to be reviewed separately and will be done so at the time of admission.
  
  b) If you have previous credits but have not completed the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, consult the LE transfer guides to see how what you took at your previous college transfers to meet the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities LE requirements. You may also want to consult the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities undergraduate transfer credit policy.
- Major requirements: See the Undergraduate Catalog for major requirements.

Graduate or professional

Graduate credits tend to expire after seven years, but consult the program or department for specific policies.

5. WHAT ABOUT PREREQUISITES?

A “prerequisite” is a requirement that you must meet before you can register for the course. Prerequisites also help you make informed choices about whether you have enough background to be successful in the course. Some prerequisites are strictly enforced (i.e., “Admitted” or “Major status”, “X completed credits”). If you think you have the equivalent status or background to be successful in the course, do considering registering for the course. If you an unsure if your background will enable you to be successful in the course, contact the instructor to discuss your situation.

6. The College of Continuing Education is your first source for advice and information. Please refer to our information center page for contact information.