Frequently Asked Questions
What is Course Navigator?
Course Navigator is a database of study abroad courses that have been evaluated for Liberal Education (Lib Ed) and Writing Intensive (WI) requirements. This database does not display all possible courses that you could take abroad; it only contains courses that have already been evaluated. Students and advisors can also use Course Navigator to submit new courses for Lib Ed and Writing Intensive evaluation.
Who evaluates study abroad courses for Liberal Education and Writing Intensive requirements?
The Office of Admissions evaluates study abroad courses for these requirements.
Once I submit a course, how long will it take to be evaluated?
Depending on the time of year and volume of submissions, an evaluation may take up to 4 weeks.
How will I know when my course submission has been evaluated for Lib Eds / WI?
You will be notified via email with a link to the evaluation results when your course submission has been reviewed.
Do Lib Ed and WI requirement evaluations in Course Navigator apply to all students?
Yes. Lib Ed and WI approvals in Course Navigator are approved for all UMTC study abroad students' use.
How do I request a course be evaluated for a specific Lib Ed or WI requirement?
You cannot request a course to be reviewed for a specific Lib Ed nor specifically for Writing Intensive approval. Admissions will automatically review your submission for all of the Lib Ed Cores, Themes, and Writing Intensive, and will award all of the appropriate requirements, if any.
What if the Lib Ed / WI approved is not the one I wanted?
Admissions decides which Lib Ed(s) and/or WI requirement the course fulfills, if any. If the course you submitted was not approved for the Lib Ed / WI that you need, you cannot appeal the decision as it is a final answer. You may, however, submit additional courses for evaluation. There is no limit to the number of submissions you can make.
Can I resubmit a course that I find in my search, which has already been evaluated?
No. Once a class has been submitted and evaluated, it cannot be re-reviewed in hopes of a different outcome. A course can only fulfill a maximum of one core + one theme + Writing Intensive. Some courses will only be approved for one requirement or they might not be approved for any requirements.
When will the course I took appear on my APAS, reflecting the Lib Ed / WI fulfillment?
Once your study abroad grades have been posted to your U of M transcript, the appropriate Lib Ed / WI requirements will be fulfilled on your APAS report. If you have returned from studying abroad and your grades have already been posted, contact coursenav@umn.edu if the appropriate Lib Ed /WI requirements are not fulfilled on your APAS.
When does a Lib Ed / WI evaluation expire?
The expiration year will display in the course evaluation field. If a course has a Lib Ed / WI approval that expires in 2026-2027, for example, that approval will be good for all students who study abroad on programs through the end of the 2026-2027 academic year (through the end of Summer 2027).
Where can I find information about Lib Ed / WI requirements for my U of MN Instructor-Led study abroad program?
Lib Ed / WI requirement approvals for U of MN instructor-led programs are not housed in Course Navigator. For these programs, if Lib Ed / WI approvals are not listed on the program web page or course syllabus, consult the Learning Abroad Center program contact or the program leader for more information.
Which degree requirements are included in the system?
Currently, the Course Navigator database only houses study abroad courses that have been evaluated for Liberal Education and Writing Intensive requirements.
Where can I find study abroad course approvals for my major/minor requirements?
Contact your major or minor department to have study abroad courses evaluated for your major/minor requirements.
Who do I contact if I still have questions?
Email the Course Navigator team here: coursenav@umn.edu