student studying outside with laptop

Interested students can enroll in a three-week session at the beginning of the regular spring semester to catch up or get ahead on their degree requirements, broaden their career skills, or complete a required ACE or EL course.

Course Dates: Jan. 3–Jan. 20

Registration Starts: Oct. 24 (register as soon as you're able as classes will fill quickly)

Credit Hours: Students can take up to four credit hours during the pre-session.

Deadline for new or visiting students to submit application and all supporting materials: Dec. 1

Scholarships and financial aid options available.

Check in MyRED to see if a class has a synchronous component, meaning you'll be required to attend class in-person or on Zoom at specific days and times, or if the class is asynchronous, meaning you'll complete all coursework on your own and not be required to join a live class section.

Pre-Session classes may be in-person, web conferencing, or online. If a class has a synchronous component, meaning you'll be required to attend class in-person or on Zoom, specific days and times will be listed in MyRED.

We've organized all session courses into one of four categories. See them all below:

Achievement-Centered Education courses

Achievement-Centered Education (ACE): General education courses that are certified to fulfill an ACE program requirement.

Career Enhancement

Career Enhancement: Courses that enhance career-readiness, covering discipline-specific topics as well as communication, technology, and leadership skills.

Degree Completion courses

Degree Completion: Courses necessary for graduation that tend to fill up quickly during the regular fall and spring semesters.

Experiential Learning courses

Experiential Learning: Designed to help students explore the world beyond the classroom, these courses also fulfill the new undergraduate experiential learning requirement that begins for students entering UNL in Fall 2022.

Register for the
Spring Pre-Session

Registration for the Spring Pre-Session opens Oct. 24. We anticipate classes will fill up fast, so sign up as soon as you're able!

Current Nebraska Students

Register for classes in MyRED, just like for any other term. Search for "Pre-Session" in the session search field.

Register in MyRED

Visiting Students

(from another University)

Even if you're not currently enrolled at Nebraska, you're still welcome to join us for a Spring Pre-Session class. Complete an application for the Spring 2023 term as a "visiting" student and submit all supporting materials before Dec. 1, and you will be able to register for classes once you are admitted.

Apply as a Visiting Student

Spring Pre-session Classes

book

Achievement-Centered Education

CLAS 180  Classical Mythology (3 credits) ACE 5

Learn about gods and goddesses, monsters, and heroes while studying literary and artistic sources within classical mythology.

COMM 209  Public Speaking (3 credits) ACE 2

Public speaking may be intimidating, but this course will help students become comfortable with this important, desirable, and marketable communication skill for public and professional life.

COMM 210  Communicating in Small Groups (3 credits) ACE 2

Students will learn to advocate for themselves in team settings, negotiate with others, and understand how teams relate, making group work more productive and enjoyable.

ECON 211  Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credits) ACE 6

Students will be able to understand the consequences of macroeconomic policies, consequentially anticipate outcomes, and make better decisions in their personal and professional lives.

GEOG 140  Introductory Human Geography (3 credits) ACE 9

This course prepares students for success in a complex world by exploring the interrelationships between people, place, and environment, across space and time.

HIST/ETHN/WMNS 358  Native American Women (3 credits) ACE 9

Indigenous women's history offers a unique perspective on Native nations, colonialism, and modern movements toward decolonization and repatriation. Themes include ethnohistory, law and policy, reproductive rights, sovereignty, and women's activism.

MATH 203  Contemporary Mathematics (3 credits) ACE 3

This course will introduce applications of quantitative reasoning and methods for problem-solving and decision-making in the areas of management, statistics, and social choice to students who are not in mathematically intensive fields.

MUNM 333  Psychology of Music (3 credits) ACE 6 ACE 7

Explore psychological themes in human music making — including motivation, creativity, and anxiety — which will provide a lens to better understanding yourself and your world.

MUSC 282  Introduction to Music Composition and Digital Audio Production (3 credits) ACE 7

Students will learn how to use digital audio workstation (DAW) software and gain knowledge and experience in learning how to compose music with that medium.

RELG/HIST 180  Culture, Religion, and Society in Asia (3 credits) ACE 9

Students will learn about diverse aspects of Asian cultures through exploring Asian languages, histories, religions, and other topics.

TEAC 259  Integrating Technology Into Educational and Clinical Spaces (3 credits) ACE 2

This course serves as a gateway to experiences meant to help students reflect, explore, and grow as future educators and speech language pathologists within a technological world.

TEAC 331  Schools and Society (3 credits) ACE 8

In this course, students will analyze media attention to the current debate about what should or shouldn't be happening in public, K-12 education to consider this question: What is the purpose of schools?

TEAC/ETHN 330  Multicultural Education (3 credits) ACE 9

Schools can and have discriminated, stratified, and impeded chances for ethnic minority groups. This class focuses on how schooling can and should be a means of equity and opportunity.

pie chart

Career Enhancement

ARCH 492/592/892  BIM–Conceptual Modeling and Analysis (1 credit)

Revit features a broad range of conceptual design and analysis features that make it an ideal platform for exploring early design concepts within a BIM environment. This course will explore the uses of Revit for conceptual design, and students will design and develop an architectural massing concept using its creation tools.

ARCH 492/592/892  BIM–Interoperability (1 credit)

The architecture, engineering, and construction industry continues to build new workflows and feedback loops that allow designers and engineers to create seamless feedback loops between design and production. This course will explore how to connect data and geometry using Building Information Modeling.

BIOS 952  Likelihood and Bayesian Ecology (3 credits)

Conduct Bayesian analysis and free your research from the constraints of classical analysis. Students will customize distributions and structure their analysis hierarchically to reflect their system.

BIOS 998  Networks in Ecology and Evolution (1 credit)

This course will cover the fundamentals of network theory as it applies to ecology and evolution. Students will gain a conceptual foundation for analyzing relational data and practical computational skills in generating, visualizing, and analyzing network data.

BSAD 391  R Programming (1 credit)

In this introduction to R — one of the most in-demand programming languages for data analysis — students will learn the basics and apply them to a series of short projects.

CIVE 491  Sustainable Infrastructure (1 credit)

This course will explore infrastructure sustainability using the Envision framework, a system used to assess and recommend improvements to the sustainability of a real project. Upon completion, each student will become a certified Envision Specialist (ENV SP). All students interested in sustainable infrastructure are welcome.

CIVE 491  Communication and Policy for Science and Engineering (1 credit)

Students can explore the linkage between STEM, policy, and communication. This course can be taken with two CIVE 1-credit courses available to fulfill an elective.

CIVE 491/891  Uncrewed Aerial Systems for Remote Sensing (1 credit)

Students will learn uncrewed aerial systems (drones) for the built and natural environment. Experiential learning focuses on platforms, planning/collection, and analysis techniques within software platforms.

CIVE 491/891  Measurement and Monitoring Methods for Civil Infrastructure (1 credit)

This course will familiarize students with common instrumentation components used in measurement and monitoring of civil infrastructure, procedures for their use, and methods to acquire and process data.

CIVE 991  Technical Writing in Civil and Environmental Engineering (1 credit)

Learn how to draft a manuscript from research data for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or conference paper. Peer and instructor feedback will be provided in a workshop format. Also covered will be metrics describing publication and journal impact, writing for various audiences, and how to write research proposals for various funding agencies.

CRPL 467/867  Active and Healthy Community Development (3 credits)

Students will gain foundational knowledge of how the built environment impacts public health and active living. With the knowledge earned, they will have the ability to develop strategies to create vibrant, safe and healthy communities and be better prepared to advance in this growing field.

DSGN 422/522  Metals (1 credit)

This course is an introduction to the College of Architecture's Metals Shop and equipment. Students will learn techniques for processing various metals, some of the most common welding methods, and how to assemble metal projects and prototypes. Students will gain knowledge of how and why metals are used in the design industry.

DSGN 423/523  Plastics (1 credit)

Plastics fabrication will acquaint students with some of the most common types of plastics used in 21st-century industries and design firms. Students will learn techniques for machining plastics; types of fastening, selecting, and using appropriate adhesives for plastics; and assembling plastic to wood projects, prototypes, and models.

EMAR 391  Intro to 3D Game Engines: Epic Unreal 5 (3 credits)

This practical course will introduce students to the methods, tools, and principles used in developing games, virtual reality, and cinema using Unreal 5 to bring amazing real-time experiences to life.

EMAR 391  Introduction to Game Design (3 credits)

Do you love video games? Students in this course will learn how to design, prototype, and make playable video games with or without previous programming or design experience.

ENGR 491/891  Improvisation Skills for the Complete Engineer (1 credit)

Learning improvisation skills will help course participants to become better at giving presentations, leading team meetings, listening to others, communicating their research and science, and more.

ENGR 491/891  Preparation for Professional Engineering Licensure (1 credit)

This course prepares seniors for professional licensure, including the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Online the first two weeks and choice of in-person or web conferencing the last week.

HIST 291  History of Baseball (2 credits)

This course offers a fun way to look at the cultural history of America through its national pastime: baseball.

JOMC 292  How to Get Your Drone License (1 credit)

Students in this course will learn to understand the FFA requirements to fly drones for media production purposes and will understand the process to obtain appropriate licenses to fly drones professionally.

JOMC 392  The "Reel" Deal: Instagram for Storytelling (1 credit)

In this course, students will take a deep dive into the Instagram platform researching best practices, ethics and learning the ins and out of how to create and measure content. Students will learn and create content for the grid, stories, IGTV, reels, Instagram live and eCommerce to best leverage the platform to accomplish strategic communication goals.

JOMC 492/892   Branding Yourself in Today's Market (1 credit)

Learn how to formulate your own value proposition and convey your knowledge, skills, and abilities to prospective employers and sponsors. This course will leverage relevant social and media platforms and other digital tools to help you frame your personal brand.

LIBR 110  Information and Your Life (1 credit)

Explore how information works and learn strategies to harness the power of information to the benefit of our world and our own lives.

MECH 492/892  Analysis of Thermal Data (1 credit)

By combining numerical models with experimental data, this course prepares students for real-world decision making based on validated simulations of critical engineering processes and devices.

NRES 299  Introduction to Environmental Education (1 credit)

Learn tools and techniques from award-winning Project Learning Tree and Project WET Curriculum programs to help engage youth in quality environmental learning experiences.

NRES 417  Agroforestry Systems in Sustainable Agriculture (3 credits)

A combination of agriculture and forestry (agroforestry) optimizes land use for both production and environmental conservation purposes. This course will help students understand the environmental, social, and economic foundations of agroforestry practices and explore natural resource concerns as they relate to conservation forestry practices.

NRES 498/898  Computer Vision and AI Applications in Agriculture and Natural Resources (3 credits)

The course enhances career-readiness for interdisciplinary research in emerging fields that lie at the intersection of computer vision, artificial intelligence, data science, agriculture, and genomics.

PLAS 496 Exploring the Culture of Agriculture: Creating a Seat at the Table for All (1 credit)

Explore the culture and history behind agriculture in the United States. Learn how this history and culture has simultaneously supported and inhibited inclusivity in the field through readings, audio/video materials, and discussions.

PLAS 496  Introduction to Plant Identification (1 credit)

This course will provide students working knowledge of tools and concepts that are central to understanding the complex structure and diversity of plants.

SCMA 391  Blockchain and Its Applications (1 credit)

An introduction to blockchain and some of its applications (cryptocurrency, dAPPS, DeFi, NFTs, metaverse, Web 3.0) that will teach the fundamentals and some of the jargon of this very new and advanced technology.

SOCI 391  Approaches to Police Reform (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of research regarding police reforms, structural racism and policing, myths and facts about policing, and public opinion about policing. Students will connect research to conversations about police reforms with the public, campus community, policy makers, and/or community groups.

TEAC 490/890  Teaching and Learning Beyond Behavior Challenges in K-12 (3 credits)

Teachers and preservice teachers will gain practical strategies for navigating student behavior challenges, improving learning outcomes, and creating positive learning environments in the K-12 classroom.

UHON 401H  Honors Experiential Tracks III: Purpose-Driven Project Management (1 credit)

Students will gain essential skills in project management and implementation for purpose-driven work, setting them up for success in their spring internship.

graduation cap

Degree Completion

ACCT 201  Introductory Accounting (3 credits)

Accounting is an information system, and as Warren Buffet is fond of saying, the language of business. This course introduces the fundamental concepts and terminology of accounting and financial reporting. Learn where the numbers come from and how to analyze and interpret accounting information to make decisions.

ACCT 202  Introductory Accounting II (3 credits)

This course focuses on the fundamentals of accounting, reporting, and analysis to understand financial, managerial, and business concepts and practices.

ADPR 151  Introduction to Advertising and Public Relations (3 credits)

Students will learn about the foundational principles of advertising and public relations in this course, as well as the processes underlying integrated marketing communications in a global market place.

ECON 212  Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits) ACE 6

Students will build their understanding of the economic behavior of consumers, individual firms, markets, and sectors of the economy, and build a foundation for the further study of business, law, economics, and other social sciences.

FINA 361  Finance (3 credits)

An introduction to concepts and techniques that form the foundation of modern finance, this course will teach students the time value of money, stock and bond valuation, risk analysis, cash flow estimation, and capital budgeting.

HIST/ETHN 113  History of Hip Hop (3 credits) ACE 9

Whether you like hip hop or not, it is a global phenomenon. In this course, students will learn about the history of and major issues about this genre.

MATH 191  Preparing for Applied Calculus (2 credits)

Scared to take Math 104? This course will help students learn the skills needed to be successful in calculus.

MATH 191  Preparing for Calculus I (2 credits)

Scared to take Math 106? This course will help students learn the skills needed to be successful in calculus.

SCMA 250  Spreadsheet Analytics (1 credit)

Spreadsheet skills are essential for careers in any area of business. This course provides students with critical analytical skills that leverage spreadsheet capabilities.

SCMA 331  Operations and Supply Chain Management (3 credits)

An introduction to how goods and services are made, this course covers analytical management techniques for both large and small organizations, private and public enterprises, service, and manufacturing organizations.

gears

Experiential Learning

CYAF 490  Transitioning with Confidence: Skill Development for Career Success (3 credits)

This course will provide students with the skills and knowledge for making a successful transition from a bachelor’s program to meaningful, career-oriented employment. Students will develop the critical skills needed to thrive in the dynamic, ever-changing contemporary workforce.

FDST 492/892  Moldy Meals: Koji, Blue Cheese, and other Mold-Based Fermentations (2 credits)

Like food? Of course you do! Like fungi? Who doesn't? Students can earn two credits in three weeks exploring how molds can make tasty food.

MATL 492/892  AFM Based Characterizations at Submicroscale (1 credit)

This course will provide students with an understanding of AFM-based instruments available at the Nano-Engineering Research Core Facility, help them learn experimental skills for their own research area, and broaden their horizons in the tools for manufacturing and characterization on microscale and nanoscale.

MRKT 490  Costa Rica (3 credits)

Students will have a great opportunity to connect with international individuals and gain an in-depth understanding of how small businesses try to connect with their international customers.

UHON 298H  Striving for Affordable, High-Quality Healthcare for All (3 credits) ACE 9

Students will explore the Costa Rican healthcare system through lectures, hospital and clinic visits, observations, and hands-on activities and will analyze its strengths and challenges compared to the U.S. system.

Spring Pre-session Cost

Tuition and fees for the Spring Pre-Session are the same as the regular semesters:

  • Undergraduate Nebraska Resident Base Tuition: $259 per credit hour
  • Undergraduate Nonresident Base Tuition: $830 per credit hour
  • See all Tuition Rates

The deadline to drop a pre-session class and receive a 100% refund is Jan. 4. The last day to receive a partial refund is Jan. 6.

The Spring Pre-Session is a part of the spring semester, so the total of your Online Course Fees plus University Program/Facilities Fees is capped at $751. That means the total of these fees for your spring semester, inclusive of the Spring Pre-Session, will not exceed $751. Students will receive a Spring 2023 Fee Reduction if their total Online Course Fees plus Program Facilities Fees are more than $751.

You can purchase books for your pre-session coursework through the bookstore using your Ncard or other payment options. Ncard payment will be billed through your student account in MyRED.

Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

Undergraduate Scholarships and Financial Aid

Because the Spring Pre-Session is a part of the spring semester, credits attempted during the Pre-session count toward your overall spring semester financial aid enrollment status. Because every student's situation is unique, we recommend you contact us through Husker Hub to see how your scholarships and financial aid can be used toward the pre-session.

We're Here to Help

Login now for a virtual walk-in with Husker Hub and we can tell you how your scholarships and aid will apply.

Need-Based Grants

Federal Pell Grant eligibility for the Spring Semester, including the Pre-Session, will be based on your enrollment status as of January 30, 2023. If the hours in which you are enrolled for the Spring Pre-Session were used to calculate your Federal Pell Grant and you drop or withdraw from a class prior to that date, your Federal Pell Grant may be reduced or cancelled, even if you were offered this grant prior to January 30, 2023.

Student Loan Options

Additional student loan eligibility may be offered to you if you have not already accepted your annual grade level limit. Your parent may also qualify for a parent loan. Students must be at least half time in the spring semester (15-week and pre-sessions combined) to be considered for additional loan eligibility.

Federal loans will be released once a student reaches half time enrollment (6 credits for undergraduate students). Most loans will not disburse until the 15-week session as that is when most students will reach half time enrollment.

If you would like to borrow a private loan, please visit financialaid.unl.edu/loan-aid for more information.

Student Billing

Tuition and fees for the pre-session appear on your student account as soon as you register for classes and are due the next billing cycle. The first spring billing due date, including the pre-session, is February 12, 2023.

Scholarships and financial aid for the pre-session will be released to your student account.

If you have questions about scholarships, financial aid, course registration, or student billing, please contact Husker Hub at huskerhub@unl.edu or ​402-472-2030​​.

View the academic calendar regarding add, drop, withdrawal, and tuition refund periods.