Did You Know? Inter-institutional Cross Registration

The College of Saint Scholastica is one of the two Universities in the IICR Program. Photo from The College of Siant Scholastica

UMD offers many amazing classes with skilled instructors, but sometimes there is just an itch that the classes at UMD can’t scratch. Transferring schools may not fit the bill either. Students at UMD have another option, though, one that most students don’t utilize: inter-institutional cross registration (IICR), 

IICR allows students at UMD to enroll in classes at the University of Wisconsin-Superior and the College of St. Scholastica. IICR works in all directions, meaning Saints, Yellowjackets and Bulldogs can all participate at the other campuses, as long as they are enrolled full-time at their home institution. There are a few other requirements, like being in good academic standing and limits to how many IICR classes students can take each semester, but the program provides an opportunity to explore outside of a student’s home campus. 

Dr. David Beard, a professor at UMD, tells all of his writing students about IICR. Beard said, “Inter-institutional registration gives a student access to immense talent and expertise across the region.” There are experts at the other universities that UMD doesn’t have; IICR alows students to study under them.

“For no additional cost. It’s amazing,” Beard said. 

Students can take the bus over to St. Scholastica or UWS to study with, for example, internationally recognized poets. The program opens the door for entirely new majors and minors for students.. Even those on one track may find a class at another campus that fits better into their timeframe.

It does take planning, though. Students should do their research if they have any openings in their schedule and see if there are any classes offered at the other campus that they would like to take.