Getting Your Course Materials
Getting Your Course Materials
This page includes instructions for getting course materials through the University of Minnesota Bookstores.
How to Order PSEO Course Materials (Video)
Watch the video to learn how to order your required PSEO course materials, then follow the instructions below.
Note: The Bookstore's email address has changed to bksinfo@umn.edu.
How to Order PSEO Course Materials (Instructions)
1) Wait for your authorization email
You will receive an email when you're authorized to order your course materials, around August 9 (fall semester) and January 3 (spring semester).
Use this link to order all required PSEO course materials from the University of Minnesota Bookstores.
- Select your course materials to order.
Format: If there are different formats available for an item (e.g. book or e-book), you can select the format you prefer.
New/Used: If an item is available in both NEW and USED condition, please select USED to help keep program costs down.
Inclusive Access (IA): Some courses have "Inclusive Access" (IA) materials. You do not need to order these. You will automatically receive access to any IA materials through Canvas or from the U of M Bookstores on the first day of class.
Item not showing up? Item out of stock?
See the Frequently Asked Questions.
- Select "Pick Up" unless you cannot come to campus to pick up your course materials.
If you cannot come to campus and need your course materials shipped to you, please try to place one order for all your required materials.
Payment Method
During check-out, you should NOT be asked for a method of payment.
If you are asked for a payment method, do not complete the order. Contact pseo@umn.edu for assistance.
Do NOT charge your student account.
3) Purchase optional course materials in a separate order
PSEO does not cover optional course materials.
How to view and purchase optional course materials
Go to the My Course Materials page to see all the required and optional materials available for a class.
Place a separate order through bookstores.umn.edu for any optional items you want to purchase.
You may want to wait until you have the class syllabus to double check which items are required and which are optional for the course before you make any purchases.
If a required item for your class is incorrectly marked as optional in the Bookstore system, email bksinfo@umn.edu with the following information: course & section number, course material title, and a copy of the course syllabus that lists the item as required.
If you purchase optional materials using your student account, be sure to pay your student account by the deadline to avoid late fees.
4) Pick up your course materials
You will receive an email when your order is ready to be picked up.
Bring your U Card (or other photo ID and your student ID number).
The University of Minnesota Bookstore is located in Coffman Memorial Union (CMU) on the ground level.
5) Check your syllabus
When you get your syllabus, check to make sure you have everything you need.
Your instructor may also communicate about required course materials via email or as an announcement in Canvas. Watch for these communications to make sure you have everything you need for the class.
Items Not Sold at U of M Bookstores
If the item is not sold through University of Minnesota Bookstores, see the Reimbursements page for information on purchasing course materials from other vendors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I write notes and highlight in my books?
A: Yes. You may write notes in and highlight your books.
If you have a workbook, you may also complete the exercises and tear out pages for assignments as needed. You do not need to return workbooks at the end of the semester.
Q: My class doesn't have any required course materials listed. Why?
A:
Wait 24 hours after you register for a course
After registering for a course, you will need to wait 24 hours for the course to show up in the Bookstore ordering system. Email bksinfo@umn.edu if the course doesn't show up after 24 hours.
You must be registered for a course to order the required course materials. (You cannot order materials for a class if you are on the waitlist.)
Check your syllabus
When you get your syllabus, check to make sure you have everything you need.
Items not sold through University Bookstores: If the item is not sold through the Bookstores, see the Reimbursements page for information on purchasing course materials from other vendors. Contact pseo@umn.edu if you have questions.
Watch for instructor emails and Canvas announcements
Your instructor may also communicate about required course materials via email or as an announcement in Canvas. Watch for these communications to make sure you have everything you need for the class.
Q: What if my course material is out of stock?
A: First, check the course syllabus to confirm that the out-of-stock course material listed is the one that's required for class. Occasionally, there may be errors. If there are issues, check with the instructor to confirm the right textbook.
If that isn't the issue, email the Bookstore's Scholarship team (bksinfo@umn.edu) the following:
Email subject: PSEO Course Material Out-of-Stock
Email text:
Hello,
The course material <<insert item or textbook name, author, and ISBN (if known)>> for <<insert U of M course (e.g., Psy 1001)>> is listed as out-of-stock in the Bookstore's scholarship system. Are you able to let me know if there's an alternative option, and/or when you might be getting additional stock back into the Bookstore?
If there doesn't seem to be an alternative option and/or there won't be additional stock coming into the Bookstore soon, you can purchase the required course materials yourself (use the seller listed in your syllabus; if unspecified, use Amazon.com or another retailer) and get reimbursed. When you submit your reimbursement request, include a note that you needed to purchase the item because it was out of stock at the Bookstore.
Q: What are IA (Inclusive Access) materials?
A: Some courses have IA ("Inclusive Access") materials listed as required. You do not need to order these course materials.
You will automatically receive access to any IA materials through Canvas or from the U of M Bookstores on the first day of class.
For questions regarding IA materials, please visit the Bookstore's Inclusive Access page.
Q: When will my order be ready?
During the first few weeks of class, due to the high volume of orders, it will may a few days for orders to be ready for pick-up, and a few additional days to be shipped.
If you would like to have your books/course materials on the first day of classes, the Bookstore recommends placing your order prior to the first day of classes.
Q: How do I cancel items from an order?
A: Email the Bookstore Scholarship team (bksinfo@umn.edu) and explain the item(s) you need to cancel from your order. Include the order number in your email.
Q: What do I do if I drop a class?
A: You will need to immediately return any required course materials back to the Scholarship desk. See the Returning Your Course Materials handbook page for more information.
If you have ordered course materials for pick-up or shipping, please cancel the items for the dropped course(s). Email the Bookstore Scholarship team (bksinfo@umn.edu) and explain the item(s) you need to cancel from your order. Include the order number in your email.
Q: I need a course material in an alternate format (e.g. ebook or physical textbook) because of an agreement through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) or due to a health concern. What should I do?
A: Email the PSEO Office (pseo@umn.edu) to request the required course material in the alternate format as soon as possible. It typically takes a couple of weeks to get an item in an alternate format through the Bookstore. If the item is not available through the Bookstore, we may ask you to use the reimbursement process to get the item in the needed format from another vendor.
Q: I accidentally purchased required course materials from the Bookstore on my student account or credit card. What do I do?
A: Email the Bookstore Scholarship desk (bksinfo@umn.edu) and explain that you're a PSEO student and your situation. Include the order number in your email.
Contact the Bookstore Scholarship Desk
The Scholarship Desk is located in the University of Minnesota Bookstore in Coffman Memorial Union on the ground level.
Click on the above link for parking & transportation information
Coffman Memorial Union Bookstore Hours
Email: bksinfo@umn.edu
Phone: 612-625-6000