The University of Michigan offers online courses for new and returning undergraduate and graduate students on the topics of alcohol and other drugs, sexual assault prevention, and well-being. As part of state and federal mandates as well as a commitment to address these important issues, you can find courses for you below.
Undergraduate courses
At the University of Michigan, we are committed to your personal and professional development and that of your peers – in the classroom and the community. To help you and all our new students transition to U-M and reduce your risk for personal harm while you are a member of this community, we have joined many top schools in the country in requiring AlcoholEdu for College, Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates, Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing Education, and Mental Well-being for Students. These online courses are important components of our alcohol prevention initiatives; the education and support services related to sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, sexual harassment, and stalking; and overall well-being.
Undergraduate students will receive invitations to complete the courses the week of August 5, 2024.
New undergraduates
AlcoholEdu, Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates, and Mental Well-being for Students are online education courses for all new incoming students. They are interactive, online courses designed to inform students about alcohol and sexual assault issues as well as essential skills to navigate the emotional challenges associated with college life. The confidential, research-based courses provide students with accurate information in a non-judgmental tone and encourage students to consider their own decisions and those of their peers.
Your journey continues on campus with an in-person workshop called First Year Relationship and Sexuality Talk (FYRST). This workshop will take place throughout the semester. You will receive communication to sign up.
Continuing undergraduates
Personalized online education courses are offered to all continuing undergraduate students as an opportunity to expand their knowledge of sexual assault prevention and campus resources. These courses are customized to your year in school:
Second year — Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing: Healthy Relationships
Third+ year — Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing: Taking Action
Continuing students do not need to take the AlcoholEdu or Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates courses again.
FAQs for undergrad online courses
What are the courses?
New undergraduates are required to complete AlcoholEdu, Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates, and Mental Well-being for Students. Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing: Healthy Relationships and Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing: Taking Action are online education courses offered to continuing undergraduate students based on their year in school to expand their knowledge on sexual assault prevention, related campus policies, and campus resources. The confidential, research-based courses provide students with accurate information in a non-judgmental tone and provide personalized feedback that encourages students to consider their own decisions and those of their peers.
Who is required to complete the courses?
All incoming undergraduate students must complete AlcoholEdu, Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates, and Mental Well-being for Students. Success of the program is based upon population-level prevention, a concept that recognizes that students' choices likely impact those of their peers. Providing new students with a consistent message can encourage thoughtful conversations, inspire the intentional pursuit of healthy community norms, and highlight a campus culture that values healthy choices.
Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing: Healthy Relationships and Sexual Assault Prevention Ongoing: Taking Action are online education courses offered to continuing undergraduate students based on their year in school to expand their knowledge on sexual assault prevention, related campus policies, and campus resources.
Special note to transfer, re-entry, and older students — Even though you may be of legal drinking age and/or may have already considered your drinking behaviors, we ask you to complete the program, because:
- Your academic and social life at the University of Michigan may be affected by students whose drinking attitudes are less well-established than yours.
- You may be asked by underage students to help them purchase alcohol. Are you aware of the legal consequences of furnishing alcohol to underage individuals?
- You may learn new information about proven prevention theories and educational strategies to understand the many aspects of the sexual assault issue or re-think some of your attitudes and behaviors about alcohol.
What can students expect from the courses?
The online courses take approximately 4 hours to complete and can be taken in segments. Students will have access to the program 24 hours a day and can complete the courses at their own pace before scheduled deadlines. It is essential that students complete all courses from start to finish to ensure an effective curricular and prevention experience.
What is the content of the courses?
The courses consist of a pre- and post-test, informational chapters, interactive activities, and three surveys. Topics include:
- How media, family, & social expectations shape ideas & behaviors
- Body/health factors including blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
- Potential risks associated with problem drinking such as violence and drinking & driving
- The potential impact of alcohol on academic performance and relationships
- How to make healthy choices, deal with peer pressure, and find help
- Helpful resources, such as a BAC calculator & reference guides about alcohol and other drugs, that students can access at any time
- Common myths about sexual assault and rape
- Definition of consent
- The link between sexual assault and alcohol
How do the courses address diverse student needs?
Customized by sex, drinking pattern, level of awareness, and student choices, AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates content is relevant to each student. For example, the course pathway is different for students whose initial responses categorize them as abstainers, high-risk, or moderate drinkers.
What is the format of the courses and the schedule?
Every new incoming student is REQUIRED to complete Part 1 of the two courses by Monday, August 26, 2024.
30 days after you complete Part 1, you will receive an email asking you to complete Part 2 of the course. You will need to log in again to complete Part 2 which will take no longer than 15 minutes.
What do I do if I don't have my own Internet access?
Internet access is often available at local libraries. Students can also email community.matters.course@umich.edu for more information.
Can I get in trouble for my answers on the surveys?
NO! All responses are confidential. The University of Michigan will NEVER be able to connect a student's individual answers with his/her identity.
What happens if I do not pass the exam?
The minimum score to pass the exam is 85%. Students who do not score 85% will be directed to review the course and retake the exam. Look for the link at the top of the screen in the Notebook that will allow you to retake the course.
Graduate courses
At the University of Michigan, we are committed to your personal and professional development and that of your peers — in the classroom and the community. To better prepare you and all of our graduate students on how to help reduce your risk for personal harm while you are a member of this community and later in life, the University of Michigan is offering graduate and professional students an online course: Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduate Students.
Graduate students will receive an invitation to complete Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduate Students the week of August 5, 2024.
New graduate and professional students
New graduate and professional students are encouraged to take Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduate Students, an online course specifically for graduate students. Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduate Students is an important component of the education and support services related to sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, sexual harassment, and stalking.
Continuing graduate and professional students
Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduate Students will continue to be offered annually as an opportunity to refresh your knowledge on the topic and of campus resources.
Sexual misconduct prevention online courses for graduate and professional students
Graduate students often sit in multiple roles on campus — including student, staff, and/or instructor, and because of those multiple roles, many graduate students will be invited to take several online courses in the U-M efforts to prevent sexual misconduct.
Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduate Students (SAPG) is a 60-minute course specifically designed for graduate students about sexual misconduct prevention and U-M policies. It includes information to support graduate student interactions with advisors, faculty members, peers, and undergraduate students). This online course is offered to all graduate students annually. (This course is managed by Wolverine Wellness in Student Life)
Culture of Respect is a 20-30 minute required module for all U-M employees that lays a foundation of leadership expectations about behavior as an employee of U-M. This course is U-M specific and gives resources available at the university for employees. (This course is managed by Central Human Resources).
Haven is a 60-90 minute additional course offered to employees that does a deeper dive into the subject and has an emphasis on state law and university policy. (This course is offered by Central Human Resources).
FAQs for graduate online courses
What are the courses?
Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduate Students is an online education course for all graduate students. It is an interactive, online course designed to inform students about sexual assault issues. The confidential, research-based course provides students with accurate information in a non-judgmental tone and provides personalized feedback that encourages students to consider their own decisions and those of their peers.
What can students expect from the course?
The online courses take approximately 1 hour to complete and can be taken in segments. Students will have access to the program 24 hours a day and can complete the course at their own pace before scheduled deadlines. It is essential that students complete the course from start to finish to ensure an effective curricular and prevention experience.
What is the content of the course?
The course consists of a pre- and post-test, informational chapters, interactive activities, and three surveys. Topics include:
- Common myths about sexual assault and rape
- Definition of consent
- The link between sexual assault and alcohol
What is the format of the course and the schedule?
Complete Part 1 of the course by Monday, August 26, 2024. 30 days after you complete Part 1, you will receive an email asking you to complete Part 2 of the course. You will need to log in again to complete Part 2 which will take no longer than 15 minutes.
What do I do if I don't have my own Internet access?
Internet access is often available at local libraries. Students can also email community.matters.course@umich.edu for more information.
Can I get in trouble for my answers on the surveys?
NO! All responses are confidential. The University of Michigan will NEVER be able to connect a student's individual answers with his/her identity.
What happens if I do not pass the exam?
The minimum score to pass the exam is 85%. Students who do not score 85% will be directed to review the course and retake the exam. Look for the link at the top of the screen in the Notebook that will allow you to retake the course.