Apparently not. This from Course Manager Help:
Do one of the following:
• Copy the course enroll code.
Share the course enroll code with your students. Students request access by entering the code in the iTunes U app on an iOS device (iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch). After you approve a request, students can access the course using an Apple ID.
Note: Enroll codes are case-insensitive and dashes are not required.
• Copy the course shortcut link.
Paste the course link into a web page or email to share your course with students.
When students access the link from an iOS device (iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch), they can tap the link to request access. After you approve a request, students can access the course using an Apple ID. If you are an affiliated instructor, you can also email the course link to your institution's iTunes U administrator for inclusion in the iTunes U catalog.
That's kind of a deal breaker for me.