College in the Schools (CIS) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (U of M) partners with high schools to expand student access to college learning. At the same time, high school instructors amplify their discipline-specific knowledge and professional skills. Throughout the state, entire school communities are benefiting from their partnership with the University.
Has your school created a partnership with CIS at the U of M? If yes, thank you! If not, what are you waiting for? Join us!
Benefits of Concurrent Enrollment
Considering CIS for Your School?
Year after year, CIS has worked in partnership with high school administrators to help students and instructors thrive. Here’s how it works, from the support necessary from high schools to ensure a successful U of M-high school partnership to the state legislation, which makes courses and valuable college credits available to Minnesota public school students at no cost.
Costs
Thanks to state legislation, courses and valuable college credits are available to Minnesota public school students at no cost. This translates into a tuition-free college launch for each student and an estimated $27 million in savings, annually, for Minnesota families.
High schools are responsible for the following costs to offer this opportunity.
- Registration fee of $145/student
- Textbooks, technology, course materials, lab equipment, and supplies for students
- Release time and classroom substitutes for CIS instructors to ensure they can attend required orientation sessions and professional development workshops (approximately three per year)
- Substitute teachers, chaperones, and transportation for students and CIS instructors to attend student Field Day activities on the U of M campus
Public schools are prohibited from charging students for U of M courses offered through CIS. Schools may raise funds through grants, donations, or other educational funding to cover expenses.
State Aid for Minnesota Public Schools
Minnesota statute 124D.09 includes a $4 million appropriation for concurrent enrollment aid, which helps high schools to defray the cost of offering courses through CIS. The prorated reimbursement rate for Minnesota public schools is approximately $50 per student registration.
You can find the Concurrent Enrollment Aid application and instructions on the Minnesota Department of Education website. CIS at the U of M Twin Cities is a NACEP-accredited program.
Policies
Essential to mutual success is adherence to U of M and CIS policies. Review Course Requirements and Policies for details.
New Instructor Application Process
Application Process: To teach a U of M course, teachers must submit an application that includes documentation and a recommendation from their principal. Applications are reviewed as they are received and should be submitted by the March 30 deadline to teach a new section of a course in the next academic year. For schools seeking to replace a current CIS instructor, applications are accepted year-round. Teachers are typically approved to teach only one new U of M course per academic year.
Teacher Qualifications: Qualifications vary by course. Teachers with 3–5 years of experience may apply but might need additional professional development or graduate coursework before being approved to teach.
Replacement and Substitute Teachers
Notification of Absence: If a CIS instructor will be absent for 11 or more consecutive class days, notify the CIS office as soon as possible. CIS may be able to connect you with former CIS instructors who are qualified and available to step in.
Substitute Teacher Requirements: If no former CIS instructor is available, any other substitute teachers must apply and be approved to teach a U of M course, just as regular CIS instructors are.
Support for Long-Term Substitutes: CIS faculty coordinators will provide mentoring and support to long-term substitute teachers, ensuring the approved syllabus is followed and that appropriate U of M grading, assessment, and pedagogy standards are maintained.
Transition for Retiring Instructors: If an instructor is planning to retire, it’s ideal if their replacement can start attending CIS professional development and work alongside the current instructor for 12-15 months in a mentorship role.
Course Continuity: CIS ensures that U of M courses are taught according to the approved syllabus. However, in extreme cases where an instructor (or substitute) is unable to continue, CIS may withdraw U of M credit from the class. CIS will support schools through these transitions to maintain strong partnerships with both the school and U of M academic departments.
Contact Koleen Knudson ([email protected]; 612-301-1853) with questions.
Courses
CIS partners with high schools to offer a wide range of U of M courses in various disciplines. If your school is considering CIS or is already a CIS partner, you’ll find detailed information about courses, instructor qualifications, and student eligibility in this section.
The deadline for instructors who wish to teach a new section of a course in the next academic year is March 30. For schools seeking to replace a current CIS instructor, applications are accepted year-round.
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Accelerated Beginning Modern Chinese
CHN 1015, 5 credits, 23 class limit
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Accelerated Intermediate Modern Chinese
CHN 3016, 5 credits, 23 class limit
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American Democracy in a Changing World
POL 1001, 5 credits, 30 class limit
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An Interdisciplinary Look at the Family in Multicultural America
FSOS 1211, 4 credits, 24 class limit
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Authority and Rebellion: American History to 1865
HIST 1307, 3 credits, 30 class limit
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Basic and Applied Statistics
EPSY 3264, 3 credits, 30 class limit
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Beginning Classical Greek I
GRK 1001, 5 credits, 22 class limit
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Beginning Classical Greek II
GRK 1002, 5 credits, 22 class limit
Student Eligibility and Class Size Comparison
Student eligibility and class size are course-specific and help to ensure student success and that the teaching in the high school classroom is reflective of how the course is taught on the U of M campus.
Eligibility Exceptions
A CIS instructor, in consultation with the U of M faculty coordinator, may override eligibility criteria in cases where they have reason to believe the student could do well in and contribute to the U of M course.
Design
DES 1111 – Creative Problem Solving
3 credits, class size limit: 34
Eligibility
Grades 11 and 12 with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or instructor approval.
Grade 10 with cumulative GPA of 3.0 and instructor approval
Education
CI 3901 – Exploring the Teaching Profession I
3 credits, class size limit: 25
CI 3902 – Exploring the Teaching Profession II
3 credits, class size limit: 25
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0
- Class Rank: top 50%
- Approval: Demonstrated interest in working with children through interview with instructor
Students must be open to engaging in 30 hours of community-engaged learning component outside of class time.
This course is part of the Entry Point Project. Schools offering Entry Point Project courses are encouraged to promote these courses to students from populations that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including those who are:
- first-generation college bound
- English language learners
- from families of low-to-moderate income
- in the academic middle (between the top 50% and the top 20%
English and Communications
COMM 1101 – Introduction to Public Speaking
3 credits, class size limit: 27
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Class Rank: top 50%
- Approval: Instructor
ENGL 1001W* – Introduction to Literature: Poetry, Drama, Narrative
4 credits, class size limit: 25
*W = Writing Intensive course and helps fulfill the U of M liberal education Writing Intensive requirement.
Eligibility
Grade: 12
One of the following:
- Class Rank: top 20%
- Cumulative GPA in previous English courses: 3.25 or better
and one of the following:
- Approval: Demonstrated strength in reading and writing skills
- Approval: Demonstrated passion for reading and writing about literature
Grade: 11
Qualifications above, plus approval: Instructor and faculty coordinator
This course requires substantial reading, writing, and critical thinking.
4 credits, class size limit: 22
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
Demonstrated consistent school attendance
One of the following:
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or better
- Completion of ACT or Plan with sufficient reading and writing scores as determined by the instructor
- Approval: Instructor or counselor
Grades: 9, 10
Qualifications above, plus approval: Instructor
This course is part of the Entry Point Project. Schools offering Entry Point Project courses are encouraged to promote these courses to students from populations that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including those who are:
- first-generation college bound
- English language learners
- from families of low-to-moderate income
- in the academic middle (between the top 50% and the top 20%)
WRIT 1301 – University Writing
4 credits, class size limit: 24
Eligibility
Grade: 12
Two of the following:
- Class rank: top 50%
- Cumulative GPA in English courses: 3.0 or better
- Eagerness to engage in an interactive process-based course that requires a significant time commitment in and outside of class, as demonstrated in a letter of interest or instructor recommendation
- Experience with or passion for coursework with intensive reading and writing demands, as demonstrated through a letter of interest, instructor recommendation, or writing sample
Schools offering WRIT 1301 are encouraged to use qualitative criteria (e.g., interviews or conversations) and to develop recruitment and promotion strategies to attract and admit students who have historically been excluded from such coursework.
This is a process-based, interactive course that requires a significant time commitment, and students should be ready to engage in intensive reading, writing, and critical thinking.
Mathematics
CI 1806 – College Algebra Through Modeling
3 credits, class size limit: 35
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Prerequisite: C+ or better in high school Algebra I and 2
- Approval: Instructor
Grades: 9, 10
All of the following:
- Prerequisite: C+ or better in high school Algebra I and 2
- Approval: Instructor
4 credits, class size limit: 28
Eligibility
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: A- or better in a precalculus course
One of the following:
- Background in precalculus, geometry, and visualization of functions/graphs
- Approval: Instructor
Familiarity with graphing calculators recommended.
EPSY 3264 – Introduction to Basic and Applied Statistics
3 credits, class size limit: 30
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisite: B+ or better in high school algebra
Grades: 10
All of the following:
- Prerequisite: B+ or better in high school algebra
- Approval: Instructor
Sciences
ANSC 1101 – Introductory Animal Science
4 credits, class size limit: 36
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
- Class Rank: top 50% or instructor approval
Grades: 9, 10
- Class Rank: top 20% and instructor approval
BIOL 1015 – Human Physiology, Technology, and Medical Devices
4 credits, class size limit: capacity of lab
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
- Prerequisite: B or better in a rigorous high school chemistry course.
PHYS 1101W* – Introductory College Physics I
4 credits, class size limit: 25
*This is a Writing Intensive course and helps fulfill the U of M liberal education Writing Intensive requirement.
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: algebra and geometry courses and B or better in high school algebra 2/trigonometry or equivalent
Grade: 10
Both of the following:
- Prerequisites: algebra and geometry courses and B or better in high school algebra 2/trigonometry or equivalent
- Approval: Instructor and Faculty Coordinator
4 credits, class size limit: 24
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Passing grade in Algebra 1
This course is part of the Entry Point Project. Schools offering Entry Point Project courses are encouraged to promote these courses to students from populations that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including those who are:
- first-generation college bound
- English language learners
- from families of low-to-moderate income
- in the academic middle (between the top 50% and the top 20%)
EE 1701/1703 – Climate Crisis: Implementing Solutions
4 credits, class size limit: 30
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
Both of the following:
- Prerequisite: B or better in one science course such as physics, chemistry, environmental science, earth science, or biology
- Prerequisite: B or better in at least one upper-level math course such as algebra 2/trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, modeling, probability, or statistics
EE 1301 – Introduction to Computing Systems [Pilot Phase]
4 credits, class size limit: 25
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Prerequisite: B+ or better in Algebra 2
- Concurrently registered in Algebra 2 and earned a B+ or better in the preceding math course
Social Sciences
APEC 1101 – Principles of Microeconomics
4 credits, class size limit: 27
APEC 1102 – Principles of Macroeconomics
3 credits, class size limit: 27
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisite: APEC 1101 or equivalent
One of the following:
- Class Rank: top 20% Cumulative GPA: 3.25
- Prerequisite: B or better in high school algebra 2
- Approval: Instructor and Faculty Coordinator
This course requires substantial reading, math, and critical thinking.
AFRO 1011 – Introduction to African American Studies
3 credits, class size limit: 25
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
Two of the following:
- Class Rank: top 50%
- Demonstrated strength in visual, written, and oral learning styles
- Demonstrated reading and writing proficiency
Student eligibility is not strictly determined by reading and writing strength, and a range of learning styles are considered.
HIST 1307 – Authority and Rebellion: American History to 1865
3 credits, class size limit: 30
HIST 1308 – Global America: US History Since 1865
3 credits, class size limit: 30
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Class Rank: top 30%
- Cumulative GPA in social science courses: 3.25 or better
- Approval: Demonstrated strength in reading and writing skills
This course requires substantial reading, writing, and critical thinking.
POL 1001 – American Democracy in a Changing World
3 credits, class size limit: 30
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Class Rank: top 20%
- Cumulative GPA in social science courses: 3.25 or better
- Approval: Demonstrated strength in reading and writing skills
Grade: 10
Qualifications above, plus approval: Instructor and Faculty Coordinator
This course requires substantial reading, writing, and critical thinking.
PSY 1001 – Introduction to Psychology
4 credits, class size limit: 25
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Class Rank: top 20%
- Approval: Instructor
FSOS 1211 – An Interdisciplinary Look at the Family in Multicultural America
4 credits, class size limit: 24
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
Students must be open to engaging in a service component outside of class time.
This course is part of the Entry Point Project. Schools offering Entry Point Project courses are encouraged to promote these courses to students from populations that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including those who are:
- first-generation college bound
- English language learners
- from families of low-to-moderate income
- in the academic middle (between the top 50% and the top 20%)
World and Classical Languages
CHN 1011– Beginning Modern Chinese I
5 credits each, class size limit: 22
CHN 1012 – Beginning Modern Chinese II
5 credits each, class size limit: 22
Eligibility
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
- Prerequisite: CHN 1011
- Approval: Instructor
CHN 1015 – Accelerated Beginning Modern Chinese
5 credits, class size limit: 22
Eligibility
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
- Approval: Instructor
Generally, students will have completed 2–3 years of Chinese language courses in junior or senior high, or equivalent proficiency.
CHN 3021– Intermediate Modern Chinese I
5 credits each, class size limit: 22
CHN 3022 – Intermediate Modern Chinese II
5 credits each, class size limit: 22
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Prerequisite: CHN 3021 or equivalent
- Approval: Instructor
Grades: 9, 10
All of the following:
- Prerequisite: CHN 3021 or equivalent
- Class Rank: top 10%
- Approval: Instructor
CHN 3016 – Accelerated Intermediate Modern Chinese
5 credits each, class size limit: 22
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
- Prerequisite: CHN 1012 or CHN 1015
- Approval: Instructor
FREN 1003– Intermediate French I
5 credits each, class size limit: 24
FREN 1004 – Intermediate French II
5 credits each, class size limit: 24
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Prerequisite: C- or better in FREN 1003
- Approval: Instructor
Grades: 9, 10
Both of the following:
- Prerequisite: C- or better in FREN 1003
- Approval: Instructor
GER 1003– Intermediate German I
5 credits each, class size limit: 26
GER 1004 – Intermediate German II
5 credits each, class size limit: 26
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Prerequisite: C- or better in GER 1003
- Approval: Instructor
Grades: 9, 10
Both of the following:
- Prerequisite: C- or better in GER 1003
- Approval: Instructor
GRK 1001– Beginning Classical Greek I
5 credits each, class size limit: 22
GRK 1002 – Beginning Classical Greek II
5 credits each, class size limit: 22
Eligibility
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
One of the following:
- Prerequisite: C- or better in GRK 1001
- Approval: Instructor
JPN 1011– Beginning Japanese I
5 credits each, class size limit: 22
JPN 1012 – Beginning Japanese II
5 credits each, class size limit: 22
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Prerequisite: Grade of C- or better in JPN 1011
- Qualifying score on the required placement exam
Grade: 10
One of the following:
- Prerequisite: Grade of C- or better in JPN 1011
- Qualifying score on the required placement exam
and
- Approval: Instructor
LAT 3003/3004 – Intermediate Latin Prose/Poetry
4 credits each, class size limit: 22
Eligibility
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Approval: Instructor
Generally, students should have completed three years of Latin, including a comprehensive grounding in Latin grammar and syntax, and experience reading Latin literature.
SPAN 1003 – Intermediate Spanish I
5 credits each, class size limit: 25
SPAN 1004 – Intermediate Spanish II
5 credits each, class size limit: 25
Eligibility
Grades: 11, 12
One of the following:
- Prerequisite: C- or better in SPAN 1003
- Approval: Instructor
Grades: 9, 10
Both of the following:
- Prerequisite: C- or better in SPAN 1003
- Approval: Instructor
Course Requirements and Policies
The following are frequency referenced policies. For a complete list, visit the Policies Appendix.
Entry Point Project Courses
College in the Schools is committed to reaching and preparing students from populations that are underrepresented in higher education.
Schools offering Entry Point Project courses are encouraged to promote these courses to students from populations that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including those who are:
- first-generation college bound
- English language learners
- from families of low-to-moderate income, and/or
- in the academic middle (between the top 50% and the top 20%)
Class Composition
In order to ensure a U of M course offered through CIS functions at the University level, at least 75% of participating students need to be enrolled for U of M credit. Up to 25% may be enrolled for high school credit only. All students are required to meet the student eligibility criteria, whether or not they are enrolled for U of M credit.
Class Size
CIS instructors and schools need to observe the same class-size limits that are used in discussion sections of the course taken by University students; these limits are set by the academic departments that own the courses. Students enrolled for U of M credit and those taking the course for high school credit only, are to be counted equally for the purposes of measuring class size. If a CIS instructor learns that any of their sections will exceed the class-size limit, they should communicate with their Faculty Coordinator to discuss any exceptions and implement strategies to manage workload. When monitoring class-size limits, CIS looks for a pattern of over-enrollment over a two-year period. If sections are repeatedly over-enrolled, schools risk losing the option to offer the course.
Student Per-Term Credit Load
CIS students, like full-time U of M undergraduates, may not register for more than 20 credits per semester. The credits for year-long courses are counted in credit loads for both fall and spring semesters. Students who wish to take more than 20 credits per term require CCAPS Scholastic Committee approval. For information and assistance, contact CIS Enrollment Services.
Freshmen and Sophomore Students
Some courses allow a student who is a ninth or tenth grader to register. Specifics are noted in the course description and in Student Eligibility by Course and Class Size. Some courses allow for a class section composed entirely of of freshmen and sophomores. In order to offer the course for U of M credit to this population, CIS requires a signed agreement from the University department that owns the course. If you are considering this option, contact Director Emily Hanson well in advance.
Student Field Day Participation
Most U of M CIS courses host Student Field Days, giving students the opportunity to learn course content through activities on the U of M campus. Participation in Student Field Days are recommended and for a few courses, required. Learn more by checking individual course descriptions.
Proper Identification of Courses on Syllabi
Because former CIS students often present a course syllabus to gain credit recognition at colleges and universities, it’s imperative that courses be clearly identified as University of Minnesota courses on syllabi. As long as the content of the U of M course is fully and completely covered, instructors may include additional course material such as material included on an AP test. On the syllabus, however, a course should be identified only as a "U of M course." University courses offered through CIS are not "CIS courses," nor "U of M Advanced Placement courses," nor "U of M CIS courses." Learn more about how to develop your syllabus.
Foreign Exchange and International Students
Foreign exchange and international students are eligible to enroll for U of M credit, but generally are not eligible to generate concurrent enrollment aid from the State of Minnesota. The high school administration is responsible for approving the student’s participation, and acknowledging that they will not receive state aid for that student. Review the policy for additional details
Professional Development
CIS instructors stay current in their respective fields by engaging in discipline-specific professional education workshops and activities once each term, including summer. New instructors attend additional summer workshops prior to teaching.
Some academic disciplines (African American Studies, Applied Economics, Family Social Science, History, and Literature) require instructors who teach every other year or on an irregular schedule to attend professional development activities during non-teaching years. Other disciplines strongly encourage this practice.
Student Field Days
Student field days are designed to enhance the U of M curriculum and provide students with the opportunity to:
- Get introduced to the U of M Twin Cities campus
- Meet students from other schools
- Learn from U of M students and faculty
- Explore campus resources
- Apply knowledge and skills from their U of M course
Participation in student Field Day activities is required for some courses (Animal Science, Exploring the Teaching Profession I & II, Writing Studio) and highly recommended for all others.
See Student Field Days for more information.
Billing & Payment
Billing Questions?
Contact CIS Enrollment Services ([email protected]) or Third Party Billing ([email protected] or 612-625-8559) with general questions. Contact CIS Enrollment Services with questions about whether a specific student’s registration or withdrawal is accounted for on a given bill.
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Billing Cycle
When a teacher is accepted into the CIS program, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is established between CIS and the participating school. The MOA requests contact information for the fiscal officer responsible for paying fees to the University.
Annually, CIS sends an email to each school to confirm or update the contact information for the fiscal officer. This information is used by the University of Minnesota’s Third Party Billing Office, which handles accounts for third-party sponsors like schools or districts.
Here’s how the billing process works:
Registration Fees: Each student's course registration fee is initially charged to their U of M account. Just before monthly bills are sent out, these charges are transferred to the student's school’s account.
- If a student notices a charge on their U of M student account, reassure them that the charge will be removed shortly. If a student receives an email or paper bill showing a balance due, contact CIS Enrollment Services ([email protected]) immediately for assistance.
- Only students enrolled for U of M credit will appear on the bill; those taking the course for high school credit only will not.
Billing Cycle: Monthly bills reflect student registrations and any adjustments (e.g., withdrawals) processed during the past month. However, bills may not always be complete or fully current because:
- Students enrolled in multiple classes may have their registrations spread across different billing cycles.
- Registrations for a single class may span two or more billing cycles, which could result in the school receiving multiple invoices for the same class. However, the school will only be billed once per student registration.
Preventing Late Payment Fees After 45 Days
The University of Minnesota’s third-party billing policy includes the following provisions:
Late Payment Fee: If payment is not received within 45 days of the billing date, a $90 late fee will be charged per student to the school.
Account Hold: If payment remains overdue for 60 days, a hold will be placed on the school’s record. This hold will prevent students from registering for future U of M courses through CIS. The hold will only be removed once the past due balance is paid in full. Account hold notifications are sent to the school billing address on file.
Notifications: After the initial invoice is sent, the Third Party Billing Office cannot guarantee follow-up contact regarding nonpayment. However, if an account hold is placed, a notification will be sent to the school billing address on file.
Refunds for Withdrawals
Dropping a Class: If a student drops a class within the registration period, the school or district will not be billed for that student's registration. If the school has already been billed, a credit will be issued.
Withdrawal After Deadline: If a student withdraws after the registration or drop deadline, no refund will be granted.
