Why Course Material Adoptions Matter
Submitting your course materials before the start of the semester ensures that all students can access their required materials in a timely, affordable way.
While students may still purchase from any vendor they choose, formal adoption allows them to use Duke’s campus resources, including the DukeLIFE Course Materials Assistance Program for lower-income students.
Your adoption supports:
- Shifting costs from lower-income students to a campus resource
- Students' ability to budget for their academic and living expenses
- Consistent access to required materials
- Accurate information for students comparing options
- Accurately reflecting the Cost of Attendance, which shapes the financial aid budget
- Compliance with federal textbook disclosure guidelines, which impacts Duke's access to federal financial aid
What You Can Adopt
Instructors can submit adoptions for a wide range of materials, including:
- Physical and digital textbooks and workbooks
- Courseware and online homework platforms
- Subscriptions (e.g. native speaker conversation platforms)
- Lab materials and kits
- Custom Coursepacks
- Film and specialty paper
What You Cannot Adopt & We Cannot Cover:
- Software (discuss licenses with Duke OIT)
- Musical instruments and sporting equipment
- Memberships (e.g. Duke University Golf Club Memberships)
- Poster/project printing
- ePrint costs (see above for custom coursepacks)
- Transportation for off-campus activities
Course Fees
Course fees are approved charges added to a student’s bursar account to cover essential course-specific costs, including required memberships, equipment rentals, special printing, group transportation, or other expenses not supported by campus resources. These fees are coordinated through departments and the Bursar’s Office, and students on need-based financial aid automatically receive grant support to cover them. Course fees are preferable to collecting direct payment from students, which creates equity and access concerns.
How to Submit Your Adoptions
Use the Duke Textbook Store’s adoption portal in Duke Hub (guide) to submit all required and recommended materials for each course you’re teaching.
Please submit adoptions as early as possible to provide students with the necessary information to acquire their materials in time to complete assignments.
Tips for Making Adoptions
- When deciding between required and recommended, choose required if access to the material affects students’ learning or grade outcomes. Students can only receive a DukeLIFE voucher for required materials
- Use the notes field to provide helpful context about each item. Students will see these notes when viewing the materials
- If you're teaching multiple sections or repeating the course in another semester, you can copy your adoption from one section or term to the next to save time
Need Assistance?
Contact the Duke Textbook Store Service Desk for help with materials, the adoption system, or process:
Duke Textbook Store Service Desk: textbook@duke.edu
Fulfillment Vendor: duke@ecampus.com