The Course

Cash or Credit: You Need to Know (FSoS 1301) is offered entirely on-line. This means that without ever leaving your room you can access and complete your lessons through the University of Minnesota WebCT Vista . Don't worry if you have not taken an online course before, an optional in-person orientation is available to show you all the ins and outs of how to use the course website during the first week of classes. Be sure to take this course while you are a PSEO student, a freshman or a sophomore, since it was designed with you in mind and is not available to upper classmen.

As a new student you will experience many new and exciting things like living on campus, making new friends, and encountering new expenses. In this phase of your life, you will be receiving many credit card offers in the mail and/or over the Internet. The information you gain in this course is designed to help you decide whether or not you want to apply for a credit card and/or keep the card you may have right now. You do not need to have a credit card to take this course, however if you currently do have a credit card, the information you learn in this class will help you to use credit responsibly. Remember it's your choice.

Upperclassmen tell it like it is with regards to credit cards through audio confessionals in each lesson. They share first hand accounts of their experiences, both the good and the bad. Each lesson was designed with you in mind to support your decision-making. Topics include: setting financial goals, how to make and follow a budget/spending plan, pros and cons for using credit, types and sources of credit, which credit card is right for you, the cost of credit, ways to manage a credit card account, your rights as a borrower, how to protect yourself against identity theft, and a few more topics. Nearly everyday there are news reports about identity theft; don't worry Cash or Credit: You Need to Know gives you information about how to protect yourself against identity theft. Each of the 15 online lessons is presented through an online “lecture” enriched with audio clips from both students and industry experts, money saving tips, and readings.

Not only will this course benefit you in your financial life today, it will also help you in the life you are building for tomorrow.

What Past Students Say

• Great Common Sense Class!

• This was my first online course; it was a good experience. I also learned quite a bit about money management.

• I loved the flexibility of the online course.

• It was exactly what I expected and recommended it to friends.

• It was very convenient. I really enjoyed it. The instructor was very caring and interested in her students.

• Great Class. I enjoyed it a lot. I think this might be a class that needs to be required for a lot of freshmen before they start college, per say, during their summer vacation so that they can work on it whenever they have the time because I think this is situation where everyone needs to know about credit and budgeting. in turn because this class is required more people will have better grades, and not be in debt, and sad, and then fail and then go on probation.