diff --git a/src/data/slice.js b/src/data/slice.js
index 0cd69c4ca..574ff318a 100644
--- a/src/data/slice.js
+++ b/src/data/slice.js
@@ -10,17 +10,22 @@ const slice = createSlice({
   initialState: {
     courseId: null,
     status: null,
+    canChangeProvider: null,
   },
   reducers: {
     updateStatus: (state, { payload }) => {
       state.courseId = payload.courseId;
       state.status = payload.status;
     },
+    updateCanChangeProviders: (state, { payload }) => {
+      state.canChangeProviders = payload.canChangeProviders;
+    },
   },
 });
 
 export const {
   updateStatus,
+  updateCanChangeProviders,
 } = slice.actions;
 
 export const {
diff --git a/src/data/thunks.js b/src/data/thunks.js
index 0587a55d7..5de8142a5 100644
--- a/src/data/thunks.js
+++ b/src/data/thunks.js
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
+import { getAuthenticatedUser } from '@edx/frontend-platform/auth';
 import { addModel } from '../generic/model-store';
 import { getCourseDetail } from './api';
 import {
   updateStatus,
+  updateCanChangeProviders,
   LOADING,
   LOADED,
   FAILED,
@@ -17,6 +19,9 @@ export function fetchCourseDetail(courseId) {
       dispatch(updateStatus({ courseId, status: LOADED }));
 
       dispatch(addModel({ modelType: 'courseDetails', model: courseDetail }));
+      dispatch(updateCanChangeProviders({
+        canChangeProviders: getAuthenticatedUser().administrator || new Date(courseDetail.start) > new Date(),
+      }));
     } catch (error) {
       dispatch(updateStatus({ courseId, status: FAILED }));
     }
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/DiscussionsSettings.jsx b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/DiscussionsSettings.jsx
index 57f985344..f7c035f7e 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/DiscussionsSettings.jsx
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/DiscussionsSettings.jsx
@@ -7,10 +7,9 @@ import {
 } from 'react-router';
 import { useDispatch, useSelector } from 'react-redux';
 import { history } from '@edx/frontend-platform';
-
 import { injectIntl, intlShape } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
 import {
-  Button, FullscreenModal, Stepper,
+  Alert, Button, FullscreenModal, Stepper,
 } from '@edx/paragon';
 
 import { PagesAndResourcesContext } from '../PagesAndResourcesProvider';
@@ -22,7 +21,9 @@ import AppList from './app-list';
 import AppConfigForm from './app-config-form';
 import { DENIED, FAILED } from './data/slice';
 import ConnectionErrorAlert from '../../generic/ConnectionErrorAlert';
+import { useModel } from '../../generic/model-store';
 import PermissionDeniedAlert from '../../generic/PermissionDeniedAlert';
+import Loading from '../../generic/Loading';
 
 const SELECTION_STEP = 'selection';
 const SETTINGS_STEP = 'settings';
@@ -31,6 +32,8 @@ function DiscussionsSettings({ courseId, intl }) {
   const dispatch = useDispatch();
   const { path: pagesAndResourcesPath } = useContext(PagesAndResourcesContext);
   const { status, hasValidationError } = useSelector(state => state.discussions);
+  const { canChangeProviders } = useSelector(state => state.courseDetail);
+  const courseDetail = useModel('courseDetails', courseId);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     dispatch(fetchApps(courseId));
@@ -54,6 +57,10 @@ function DiscussionsSettings({ courseId, intl }) {
     history.push(discussionsPath);
   }, [discussionsPath]);
 
+  if (!courseDetail) {
+    return <Loading />;
+  }
+
   if (status === FAILED) {
     return (
       <FullscreenModal
@@ -115,6 +122,13 @@ function DiscussionsSettings({ courseId, intl }) {
               title={intl.formatMessage(messages.providerSelection)}
             >
               <AppList />
+              {
+                !canChangeProviders && (
+                  <Alert variant="warning">
+                    {intl.formatMessage(messages.noProviderSwitchAfterCourseStarted)}
+                  </Alert>
+                )
+              }
             </Stepper.Step>
             <Stepper.Step
               eventKey={SETTINGS_STEP}
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/DiscussionsSettings.test.jsx b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/DiscussionsSettings.test.jsx
index 0c137d02f..b5b0d83af 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/DiscussionsSettings.test.jsx
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/DiscussionsSettings.test.jsx
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { getAuthenticatedHttpClient } from '@edx/frontend-platform/auth';
 import { AppProvider, PageRoute } from '@edx/frontend-platform/react';
 import {
   act,
+  getByRole,
   queryByLabelText,
   queryByRole,
   queryByTestId,
@@ -25,7 +26,14 @@ import appListMessages from './app-list/messages';
 import ltiMessages from './app-config-form/apps/lti/messages';
 import { getAppsUrl } from './data/api';
 import DiscussionsSettings from './DiscussionsSettings';
-import { generatePiazzaApiResponse, legacyApiResponse, piazzaApiResponse } from './factories/mockApiResponses';
+import {
+  generatePiazzaApiResponse,
+  legacyApiResponse,
+  piazzaApiResponse,
+  courseDetailResponse,
+} from './factories/mockApiResponses';
+import { executeThunk } from '../../utils';
+import { fetchCourseDetail } from '../../data/thunks';
 
 const courseId = 'course-v1:edX+TestX+Test_Course';
 let axiosMock;
@@ -63,7 +71,15 @@ describe('DiscussionsSettings', () => {
       },
     });
 
-    store = initializeStore();
+    store = initializeStore({
+      models: {
+        courseDetails: {
+          [courseId]: {
+            start: Date(),
+          },
+        },
+      },
+    });
     axiosMock = new MockAdapter(getAuthenticatedHttpClient());
 
     // Leave the DiscussionsSettings route after the test.
@@ -174,18 +190,65 @@ describe('DiscussionsSettings', () => {
       await waitForElementToBeRemoved(screen.getByRole('status'));
 
       userEvent.click(queryByLabelText(container, 'Select Piazza'));
-      userEvent.click(queryByText(container, appListMessages.nextButton.defaultMessage));
-      // Apply causes an async action to take place
-      act(() => {
-        userEvent.click(queryByText(container, appMessages.saveButton.defaultMessage));
-      });
+
+      userEvent.click(getByRole(container, 'button', { name: 'Next' }));
+
+      userEvent.click(getByRole(container, 'button', { name: 'Save' }));
 
       // This is an important line that ensures the Close button has been removed, which implies that
       // the full screen modal has been closed following our click of Apply.  Once this has happened,
       // then it's safe to proceed with our expectations.
-      await waitForElementToBeRemoved(screen.queryByLabelText('Close'));
+      await waitForElementToBeRemoved(queryByRole(container, 'button', { name: 'Close' }));
 
-      expect(window.location.pathname).toEqual(`/course/${courseId}/pages-and-resources`);
+      await waitFor(() => expect(window.location.pathname).toEqual(`/course/${courseId}/pages-and-resources`));
+    });
+
+    test('requires confirmation if changing provider', async () => {
+      axiosMock.onGet(`${getConfig().LMS_BASE_URL}/api/courses/v1/courses/${courseId}`).reply(200, courseDetailResponse);
+      await executeThunk(fetchCourseDetail(courseId), store.dispatch);
+      history.push(`/course/${courseId}/pages-and-resources/discussion`);
+
+      // This is an important line that ensures the spinner has been removed - and thus our main
+      // content has been loaded - prior to proceeding with our expectations.
+      await waitForElementToBeRemoved(screen.getByRole('status'));
+
+      userEvent.click(getByRole(container, 'checkbox', { name: 'Select Discourse' }));
+      userEvent.click(getByRole(container, 'button', { name: 'Next' }));
+
+      userEvent.type(getByRole(container, 'textbox', { name: 'Consumer Key' }), 'key');
+      userEvent.type(getByRole(container, 'textbox', { name: 'Consumer Secret' }), 'secret');
+      userEvent.type(getByRole(container, 'textbox', { name: 'Launch URL' }), 'http://example.test');
+      userEvent.click(getByRole(container, 'button', { name: 'Save' }));
+
+      await waitFor(() => expect(getByRole(container, 'dialog', { name: 'OK' })).toBeInTheDocument());
+    });
+
+    test('can cancel confirmation', async () => {
+      axiosMock.onGet(`${getConfig().LMS_BASE_URL}/api/courses/v1/courses/${courseId}`).reply(200, courseDetailResponse);
+      await executeThunk(fetchCourseDetail(courseId), store.dispatch);
+      history.push(`/course/${courseId}/pages-and-resources/discussion`);
+
+      // This is an important line that ensures the spinner has been removed - and thus our main
+      // content has been loaded - prior to proceeding with our expectations.
+      await waitForElementToBeRemoved(screen.getByRole('status'));
+
+      const discourseBox = getByRole(container, 'checkbox', { name: 'Select Discourse' });
+      expect(discourseBox).not.toBeDisabled();
+      userEvent.click(discourseBox);
+
+      userEvent.click(getByRole(container, 'button', { name: 'Next' }));
+      expect(getByRole(container, 'heading', { name: 'Discourse' })).toBeInTheDocument();
+
+      userEvent.type(getByRole(container, 'textbox', { name: 'Consumer Key' }), 'a');
+      userEvent.type(getByRole(container, 'textbox', { name: 'Consumer Secret' }), 'secret');
+      userEvent.type(getByRole(container, 'textbox', { name: 'Launch URL' }), 'http://example.test');
+      userEvent.click(getByRole(container, 'button', { name: 'Save' }));
+
+      await waitFor(() => expect(getByRole(container, 'dialog', { name: 'OK' })).toBeInTheDocument());
+      userEvent.click(getByRole(container, 'button', { name: 'Cancel' }));
+
+      expect(queryByRole(container, 'dialog', { name: 'Confirm' })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(queryByRole(container, 'dialog', { name: 'Configure discussion' }));
     });
   });
 
@@ -287,10 +350,7 @@ describe('DiscussionsSettings', () => {
       // content has been loaded - prior to proceeding with our expectations.
       await waitForElementToBeRemoved(screen.getByRole('status'));
 
-      // Apply causes an async action to take place
-      act(() => {
-        userEvent.click(queryByText(container, appMessages.saveButton.defaultMessage));
-      });
+      userEvent.click(getByRole(container, 'button', { name: 'Save' }));
 
       await waitFor(() => expect(axiosMock.history.post.length).toBe(1));
 
@@ -323,7 +383,13 @@ describe.each([
       },
     });
 
-    store = initializeStore();
+    store = initializeStore({
+      models: {
+        courseDetails: {
+          [courseId]: {},
+        },
+      },
+    });
     axiosMock = new MockAdapter(getAuthenticatedHttpClient());
 
     // Leave the DiscussionsSettings route after the test.
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/AppConfigForm.jsx b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/AppConfigForm.jsx
index fb51c03e1..4d4b51d22 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/AppConfigForm.jsx
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/AppConfigForm.jsx
@@ -1,15 +1,20 @@
 import React, {
-  useCallback, useContext, useEffect,
+  useCallback, useContext, useEffect, useState,
 } from 'react';
 import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
 import { useDispatch, useSelector } from 'react-redux';
 import { useRouteMatch } from 'react-router';
 import { injectIntl, intlShape } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
-import { Container } from '@edx/paragon';
+import {
+  ActionRow,
+  Container,
+  ModalDialog,
+} from '@edx/paragon';
 
 import { useModel, useModels } from '../../../generic/model-store';
 import { PagesAndResourcesContext } from '../../PagesAndResourcesProvider';
 import {
+  DENIED,
   FAILED, LOADED, LOADING, selectApp,
 } from '../data/slice';
 import { saveAppConfig } from '../data/thunks';
@@ -21,6 +26,7 @@ import LegacyConfigForm from './apps/legacy';
 import LtiConfigForm from './apps/lti';
 import Loading from '../../../generic/Loading';
 import SaveFormConnectionErrorAlert from '../../../generic/SaveFormConnectionErrorAlert';
+import PermissionDeniedAlert from '../../../generic/PermissionDeniedAlert';
 
 function AppConfigForm({
   courseId, intl,
@@ -30,7 +36,7 @@ function AppConfigForm({
   const { path: pagesAndResourcesPath } = useContext(PagesAndResourcesContext);
   const { params: { appId: routeAppId } } = useRouteMatch();
   const {
-    selectedAppId, status, saveStatus, discussionTopicIds, divideDiscussionIds,
+    activeAppId, discussionTopicIds, divideDiscussionIds, selectedAppId, status, saveStatus,
   } = useSelector(state => state.discussions);
   const app = useModel('apps', selectedAppId);
   // appConfigs have no ID of their own, so we use the active app ID to reference them.
@@ -40,6 +46,8 @@ function AppConfigForm({
   const discussionTopics = useModels('discussionTopics', discussionTopicIds);
   const appConfig = { ...appConfigObj, discussionTopics, divideDiscussionIds };
 
+  const [confirmationDialogVisible, setConfirmationDialogVisible] = useState(false);
+
   useEffect(() => {
     if (status === LOADED) {
       if (routeAppId !== selectedAppId) {
@@ -50,9 +58,15 @@ function AppConfigForm({
 
   // This is a callback that gets called after the form has been submitted successfully.
   const handleSubmit = useCallback((values) => {
-    // Note that when this action succeeds, we redirect to pagesAndResurcesPath in the thunk.
-    dispatch(saveAppConfig(courseId, selectedAppId, values, pagesAndResourcesPath));
-  }, [courseId, selectedAppId, courseId]);
+    const needsConfirmation = (activeAppId !== selectedAppId);
+    if (needsConfirmation && !confirmationDialogVisible) {
+      setConfirmationDialogVisible(true);
+    } else {
+      setConfirmationDialogVisible(false);
+      // Note that when this action succeeds, we redirect to pagesAndResurcesPath in the thunk.
+      dispatch(saveAppConfig(courseId, selectedAppId, values, pagesAndResourcesPath));
+    }
+  }, [activeAppId, confirmationDialogVisible, courseId, selectedAppId]);
 
   if (!selectedAppId || status === LOADING) {
     return (
@@ -66,6 +80,9 @@ function AppConfigForm({
       <SaveFormConnectionErrorAlert />
     );
   }
+  if (saveStatus === DENIED) {
+    alert = <PermissionDeniedAlert />;
+  }
 
   let form = null;
   if (app.id === 'legacy') {
@@ -88,10 +105,34 @@ function AppConfigForm({
       />
     );
   }
+
   return (
     <Container size="sm" className="px-sm-0 py-sm-5 p-0" data-testid="appConfigForm">
       {alert}
       {form}
+      <ModalDialog
+        hasCloseButton={false}
+        isOpen={confirmationDialogVisible}
+        onClose={() => setConfirmationDialogVisible(false)}
+        title={intl.formatMessage(messages.ok)}
+      >
+        <ModalDialog.Header className="pt-4">
+          <ModalDialog.Title className="h4 m-0" style={{ fontSize: '1.125rem' }}>
+            {intl.formatMessage(messages.confirmConfigurationChange)}
+          </ModalDialog.Title>
+        </ModalDialog.Header>
+        <ModalDialog.Body className="overflow-hidden text-primary-700">
+          {intl.formatMessage(messages.configurationChangeConsequence)}
+        </ModalDialog.Body>
+        <ModalDialog.Footer className="pb-4">
+          <ActionRow>
+            <ModalDialog.CloseButton variant="tertiary">
+              {intl.formatMessage(messages.cancel)}
+            </ModalDialog.CloseButton>
+            <AppConfigFormSaveButton labelText={intl.formatMessage(messages.ok)} />
+          </ActionRow>
+        </ModalDialog.Footer>
+      </ModalDialog>
     </Container>
   );
 }
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/AppConfigFormSaveButton.jsx b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/AppConfigFormSaveButton.jsx
index bb6718d68..f3f9bf690 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/AppConfigFormSaveButton.jsx
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/AppConfigFormSaveButton.jsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import React, { useCallback, useContext } from 'react';
 import { useSelector } from 'react-redux';
+import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
 import { injectIntl, intlShape } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
 import { StatefulButton } from '@edx/paragon';
 
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ import messages from './messages';
 import { SAVING } from '../data/slice';
 import { AppConfigFormContext } from './AppConfigFormProvider';
 
-function AppConfigFormSaveButton({ intl }) {
+function AppConfigFormSaveButton({ intl, labelText }) {
   const saveStatus = useSelector(state => state.discussions.saveStatus);
   const { formRef } = useContext(AppConfigFormContext);
 
@@ -21,18 +22,24 @@ function AppConfigFormSaveButton({ intl }) {
   return (
     <StatefulButton
       labels={{
-        default: intl.formatMessage(messages.saveButton),
+        default: labelText || intl.formatMessage(messages.saveButton),
         pending: intl.formatMessage(messages.savingButton),
         complete: intl.formatMessage(messages.savedButton),
       }}
       state={submitButtonState}
       onClick={handleSave}
+      style={{ minWidth: '88px' }}
     />
   );
 }
 
 AppConfigFormSaveButton.propTypes = {
   intl: intlShape.isRequired,
+  labelText: PropTypes.string,
+};
+
+AppConfigFormSaveButton.defaultProps = {
+  labelText: '',
 };
 
 export default injectIntl(AppConfigFormSaveButton);
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/apps/legacy/LegacyConfigForm.jsx b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/apps/legacy/LegacyConfigForm.jsx
index e890efe42..62b47ba4d 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/apps/legacy/LegacyConfigForm.jsx
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/apps/legacy/LegacyConfigForm.jsx
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ function LegacyConfigForm({
       initialValues={appConfig}
       validateOnChange={false}
       validationSchema={legacyFormValidationSchema}
-      onSubmit={(values) => (onSubmit(values))}
+      onSubmit={(values) => onSubmit(values)}
     >
       {(
         {
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/apps/lti/LtiConfigForm.jsx b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/apps/lti/LtiConfigForm.jsx
index c8849036a..55e0d092e 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/apps/lti/LtiConfigForm.jsx
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/apps/lti/LtiConfigForm.jsx
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ function LtiConfigForm({
     piiShareUsername: appConfig.piiShareUsername,
     piiShareEmail: appConfig.piiShareEmail,
   };
+
   const user = getAuthenticatedUser();
   const dispatch = useDispatch();
   const { externalLinks } = app;
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/messages.js b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/messages.js
index a36585079..3aeb92e1e 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/messages.js
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-config-form/messages.js
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
 import { defineMessages } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
 
 const messages = defineMessages({
+  configurationChangeConsequence: {
+    id: 'authoring.discussions.configurationChangeConsequences',
+    defaultMessage:
+      'Students will lose access to any active or previous'
+      + ' discussion posts for your course.',
+    description:
+      'Describes that, as a consequence of changing configuration,'
+      + ' students will lose access posts on the course.',
+  },
   configureApp: {
     id: 'authoring.discussions.configure.app',
     defaultMessage: 'Configure {name}',
@@ -9,6 +18,21 @@ const messages = defineMessages({
     id: 'authoring.discussions.configure',
     defaultMessage: 'Configure discussions',
   },
+  ok: {
+    id: 'authoring.discussions.ok',
+    defaultMessage: 'OK',
+    description: 'Button allowing the user to acknowledge the provider change.',
+  },
+  cancel: {
+    id: 'authoring.discussions.cancel',
+    defaultMessage: 'Cancel',
+    description: 'Button allowing the user to return to discussion provider configurations.',
+  },
+  confirmConfigurationChange: {
+    id: 'authoring.discussions.confirmConfigurationChange',
+    defaultMessage: 'Are you sure you want to change the discussion settings?',
+    description: 'Asks the user whether he/she really wants to change settings.',
+  },
   backButton: {
     id: 'authoring.discussions.backButton',
     defaultMessage: 'Back',
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppCard.jsx b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppCard.jsx
index 2a92c5732..f82fc5231 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppCard.jsx
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppCard.jsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
 import classNames from 'classnames';
+import { useSelector } from 'react-redux';
 import { injectIntl, intlShape } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
 import Responsive from 'react-responsive';
 import {
@@ -12,15 +13,16 @@ import FeaturesList from './FeaturesList';
 function AppCard({
   app, onClick, intl, selected, features,
 }) {
+  const { canChangeProviders } = useSelector(state => state.courseDetail);
   const supportText = app.hasFullSupport
     ? intl.formatMessage(messages.appFullSupport)
     : intl.formatMessage(messages.appBasicSupport);
+
   return (
     <Card
-      key={app.id}
       tabIndex="-1"
-      onClick={() => onClick(app.id)}
-      onKeyPress={() => onClick(app.id)}
+      onClick={() => canChangeProviders && onClick(app.id)}
+      onKeyPress={() => canChangeProviders && onClick(app.id)}
       role="radio"
       aria-checked={selected}
       style={{
@@ -39,6 +41,7 @@ function AppCard({
       >
         <CheckboxControl
           checked={selected}
+          disabled={!canChangeProviders}
           readOnly
           aria-label={intl.formatMessage(messages.selectApp, {
             appName: intl.formatMessage(messages[`appName-${app.id}`]),
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppCard.test.jsx b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppCard.test.jsx
index b807634ff..aee5ee0a1 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppCard.test.jsx
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppCard.test.jsx
@@ -1,39 +1,73 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import { IntlProvider } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
+import { initializeMockApp } from '@edx/frontend-platform';
+import { AppProvider } from '@edx/frontend-platform/react';
+import { getAuthenticatedHttpClient } from '@edx/frontend-platform/auth';
+import MockAdapter from 'axios-mock-adapter';
 import { render, queryByLabelText } from '@testing-library/react';
 
 import AppCard from './AppCard';
 import messages from './messages';
+import initializeStore from '../../../store';
+import { executeThunk } from '../../../utils';
+import { getAppsUrl } from '../data/api';
+import { fetchApps } from '../data/thunks';
+import { legacyApiResponse } from '../factories/mockApiResponses';
+
+const courseId = 'course-v1:edX+TestX+Test_Course';
+const selected = true;
+const app = {
+  id: 'legacy',
+  hasFullSupport: true,
+  featureIds: ['discussion-page', 'embedded-course-sections', 'wcag-2.1'],
+};
 
 describe('AppCard', () => {
-  let app;
-  let selected;
-  let wrapper;
+  let axiosMock;
+  let store;
+  let container;
 
-  beforeEach(() => {
-    selected = true;
-    app = {
-      id: 'legacy',
-      hasFullSupport: true,
-      featureIds: ['discussion-page', 'embedded-course-sections', 'wcag-2.1'],
-    };
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    initializeMockApp({
+      authenticatedUser: {
+        userId: 3,
+        username: 'abc123',
+        administrator: true,
+        roles: [],
+      },
+    });
 
-    wrapper = (data) => render(
-      <IntlProvider locale="en">
-        <AppCard
-          app={data}
-          onClick={() => jest.fn()}
-          selected={selected}
-          features={[]}
-        />
-      </IntlProvider>,
-    );
+    store = await initializeStore();
+    axiosMock = new MockAdapter(getAuthenticatedHttpClient());
   });
 
-  test('checkbox input is checked when AppCard is selected', () => {
+  const mockStore = async (mockResponse) => {
+    axiosMock.onGet(getAppsUrl(courseId)).reply(200, mockResponse);
+    await executeThunk(fetchApps(courseId), store.dispatch);
+  };
+
+  const createComponent = (data) => {
+    const wrapper = render(
+      <AppProvider store={store}>
+        <IntlProvider locale="en">
+          <AppCard
+            app={data}
+            onClick={() => jest.fn()}
+            selected={selected}
+            features={[]}
+          />
+        </IntlProvider>
+      </AppProvider>,
+    );
+    container = wrapper.container;
+    return container;
+  };
+
+  test('checkbox input is checked when AppCard is selected', async () => {
     const labelText = `Select ${messages[`appName-${app.id}`].defaultMessage}`;
 
-    const { container } = wrapper(app);
+    await mockStore(legacyApiResponse);
+    createComponent(app);
 
     expect(container.querySelector('[role="radio"]')).toBeChecked();
     expect(queryByLabelText(container, labelText, { selector: 'input[type="checkbox"]' })).toBeChecked();
@@ -42,30 +76,33 @@ describe('AppCard', () => {
   test.each([
     [true],
     [false],
-  ])('providerName and text from the app are displayed with full support %s', (hasFullSupport) => {
+  ])('providerName and text from the app are displayed with full support %s', async (hasFullSupport) => {
     const appWithCustomSupport = { ...app, hasFullSupport };
     const title = messages[`appName-${appWithCustomSupport.id}`].defaultMessage;
     const text = messages[`appDescription-${appWithCustomSupport.id}`].defaultMessage;
 
-    const { container } = wrapper(appWithCustomSupport);
+    await mockStore(legacyApiResponse);
+    createComponent(appWithCustomSupport);
 
     expect(container.querySelector('.card-title')).toHaveTextContent(title);
     expect(container.querySelector('.card-text')).toHaveTextContent(text);
   });
 
-  test('full support subtitle shown when hasFullSupport is true', () => {
+  test('full support subtitle shown when hasFullSupport is true', async () => {
     const subtitle = messages.appFullSupport.defaultMessage;
 
-    const { container } = wrapper(app);
+    await mockStore(legacyApiResponse);
+    createComponent(app);
 
     expect(container.querySelector('.card-subtitle')).toHaveTextContent(subtitle);
   });
 
-  test('partial support subtitle shown when hasFullSupport is false', () => {
+  test('partial support subtitle shown when hasFullSupport is false', async () => {
     const appWithBasicSupport = { ...app, hasFullSupport: false };
     const subtitle = messages.appBasicSupport.defaultMessage;
 
-    const { container } = wrapper(appWithBasicSupport);
+    await mockStore(legacyApiResponse);
+    createComponent(appWithBasicSupport);
 
     expect(container.querySelector('.card-subtitle')).toHaveTextContent(subtitle);
   });
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppList.test.jsx b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppList.test.jsx
index 9f0769650..7ff124d60 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppList.test.jsx
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/app-list/AppList.test.jsx
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import initializeStore from '../../../store';
 import { executeThunk } from '../../../utils';
 import { getAppsUrl } from '../data/api';
 import { fetchApps } from '../data/thunks';
-import { emptyAppApiResponse, legacyApiResponse, piazzaApiResponse } from '../factories/mockApiResponses';
+import { emptyAppApiResponse, piazzaApiResponse } from '../factories/mockApiResponses';
 import AppList from './AppList';
 import messages from './messages';
 
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ describe('AppList', () => {
   });
 
   test('selectApp is called when an app is clicked', async () => {
-    await mockStore(legacyApiResponse);
+    await mockStore(piazzaApiResponse);
     userEvent.click(getByLabelText(container, 'Select Piazza'));
     const clickedCard = getByRole(container, 'radio', { checked: true });
     expect(queryByLabelText(clickedCard, 'Select Piazza')).toBeInTheDocument();
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/data/redux.test.js b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/data/redux.test.js
index 3185af22b..fc6463cca 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/data/redux.test.js
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/data/redux.test.js
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ describe('Data layer integration tests', () => {
       await executeThunk(fetchApps(courseId), store.dispatch);
 
       expect(store.getState().discussions).toEqual({
-        appIds: ['legacy', 'piazza'],
+        appIds: ['legacy', 'piazza', 'discourse'],
         featureIds,
         activeAppId: 'piazza',
         selectedAppId: null,
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ describe('Data layer integration tests', () => {
       await executeThunk(fetchApps(courseId), store.dispatch);
 
       expect(store.getState().discussions).toEqual({
-        appIds: ['legacy', 'piazza'],
+        appIds: ['legacy', 'piazza', 'discourse'],
         featureIds,
         activeAppId: 'piazza',
         selectedAppId: null,
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ describe('Data layer integration tests', () => {
       expect(window.location.pathname).toEqual(`/course/${courseId}/pages-and-resources/discussions/configure/piazza`);
       expect(store.getState().discussions).toEqual(
         expect.objectContaining({
-          appIds: ['legacy', 'piazza'],
+          appIds: ['legacy', 'piazza', 'discourse'],
           featureIds,
           activeAppId: 'piazza',
           selectedAppId: 'piazza',
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ describe('Data layer integration tests', () => {
       expect(window.location.pathname).toEqual(`/course/${courseId}/pages-and-resources/discussions/configure/piazza`);
       expect(store.getState().discussions).toEqual(
         expect.objectContaining({
-          appIds: ['legacy', 'piazza'],
+          appIds: ['legacy', 'piazza', 'discourse'],
           featureIds,
           activeAppId: 'piazza',
           selectedAppId: 'piazza',
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ describe('Data layer integration tests', () => {
       expect(window.location.pathname).toEqual(pagesAndResourcesPath);
       expect(store.getState().discussions).toEqual(
         expect.objectContaining({
-          appIds: ['legacy', 'piazza'],
+          appIds: ['legacy', 'piazza', 'discourse'],
           featureIds,
           activeAppId: 'piazza',
           selectedAppId: 'piazza',
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/data/thunks.js b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/data/thunks.js
index 6e58e44e7..129c14418 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/data/thunks.js
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/data/thunks.js
@@ -12,32 +12,39 @@ import {
   DENIED,
 } from './slice';
 
+function updateAppState({
+  apps,
+  features,
+  activeAppId,
+  appConfig,
+  discussionTopicIds,
+  discussionTopics,
+  divideDiscussionIds,
+  userPermissions,
+}) {
+  return async (dispatch) => {
+    dispatch(addModels({ modelType: 'apps', models: apps }));
+    dispatch(addModels({ modelType: 'features', models: features }));
+    dispatch(addModel({ modelType: 'appConfigs', model: appConfig }));
+    dispatch(addModels({ modelType: 'discussionTopics', models: discussionTopics }));
+
+    dispatch(loadApps({
+      activeAppId,
+      appIds: apps.map(app => app.id),
+      featureIds: features.map(feature => feature.id),
+      discussionTopicIds,
+      divideDiscussionIds,
+      userPermissions,
+    }));
+  };
+}
+
 export function fetchApps(courseId) {
   return async (dispatch) => {
     dispatch(updateStatus({ status: LOADING }));
     try {
-      const {
-        apps,
-        features,
-        activeAppId,
-        appConfig,
-        discussionTopicIds,
-        discussionTopics,
-        divideDiscussionIds,
-      } = await getApps(courseId);
-
-      dispatch(addModel({ modelType: 'appConfigs', model: appConfig }));
-      dispatch(addModels({ modelType: 'apps', models: apps }));
-      dispatch(addModels({ modelType: 'features', models: features }));
-      dispatch(addModels({ modelType: 'discussionTopics', models: discussionTopics }));
-
-      dispatch(loadApps({
-        activeAppId,
-        appIds: apps.map(app => app.id),
-        featureIds: features.map(feature => feature.id),
-        discussionTopicIds,
-        divideDiscussionIds,
-      }));
+      const apps = await getApps(courseId);
+      dispatch(updateAppState(apps));
     } catch (error) {
       if (error.response && error.response.status === 403) {
         dispatch(updateStatus({ status: DENIED }));
@@ -53,28 +60,9 @@ export function saveAppConfig(courseId, appId, drafts, successPath) {
     dispatch(updateSaveStatus({ status: SAVING }));
 
     try {
-      const {
-        apps,
-        features,
-        activeAppId,
-        appConfig,
-        discussionTopicIds,
-        discussionTopics,
-        divideDiscussionIds,
-      } = await postAppConfig(courseId, appId, drafts);
+      const apps = await postAppConfig(courseId, appId, drafts);
+      dispatch(updateAppState(apps));
 
-      dispatch(addModel({ modelType: 'appConfigs', model: appConfig }));
-      dispatch(addModels({ modelType: 'apps', models: apps }));
-      dispatch(addModels({ modelType: 'features', models: features }));
-      dispatch(addModels({ modelType: 'discussionTopics', models: discussionTopics }));
-
-      dispatch(loadApps({
-        activeAppId,
-        appIds: apps.map(app => app.id),
-        featureIds: features.map(feature => feature.id),
-        discussionTopicIds,
-        divideDiscussionIds,
-      }));
       dispatch(updateSaveStatus({ status: SAVED }));
       // Note that we redirect here to avoid having to work with the promise over in AppConfigForm.
       history.push(successPath);
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/factories/mockApiResponses.js b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/factories/mockApiResponses.js
index ac65adda4..15c80e907 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/factories/mockApiResponses.js
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/factories/mockApiResponses.js
@@ -53,6 +53,23 @@ export const generatePiazzaApiResponse = (piazzaAdminOnlyConfig = false) => ({
         has_full_support: false,
         admin_only_config: piazzaAdminOnlyConfig,
       },
+      discourse: {
+        features: [
+          'discussion-page',
+          'embedded-course-sections',
+          'wcag-2.1',
+          'lti',
+        ],
+        external_links: {
+          learn_more: '',
+          configuration: '',
+          general: '',
+          accessibility: '',
+          contact_email: '',
+        },
+        messages: [],
+        has_full_support: false,
+      },
     },
   },
 });
@@ -143,3 +160,42 @@ export const emptyAppApiResponse = {
 };
 
 export const piazzaApiResponse = generatePiazzaApiResponse(false);
+
+export const courseDetailResponse = {
+  blocks_url: 'http://localhost:18000/api/courses/v2/blocks/?course_id=course-v1%3AedX%2BDemoX%2BDemo_Course',
+  course_id: 'course-v1:edX+DemoX+Demo_Course',
+  effort: null,
+  end: null,
+  enrollment_end: null,
+  enrollment_start: null,
+  hidden: false,
+  id: 'course-v1:edX+DemoX+Demo_Course',
+  invitation_only: false,
+  media: {
+    banner_image: {
+      uri: '/asset-v1:edX+DemoX+Demo_Course+type@asset+block@images_course_image.jpg',
+      uri_absolute: 'http://localhost:18000/asset-v1:edX+DemoX+Demo_Course+type@asset+block@images_course_image.jpg',
+    },
+    course_image: {
+      uri: '/asset-v1:edX+DemoX+Demo_Course+type@asset+block@images_course_image.jpg',
+    },
+    course_video: {
+      uri: null,
+    },
+    image: {
+      large: 'http://localhost:18000/asset-v1:edX+DemoX+Demo_Course+type@asset+block@images_course_image.jpg',
+      raw: 'http://localhost:18000/asset-v1:edX+DemoX+Demo_Course+type@asset+block@images_course_image.jpg',
+      small: 'http://localhost:18000/asset-v1:edX+DemoX+Demo_Course+type@asset+block@images_course_image.jpg',
+    },
+  },
+  mobile_available: false,
+  name: 'Demonstration Course',
+  number: 'DemoX',
+  org: 'edX',
+  overview: '<section class="about">\n   <h2>About This Course</h2>\n   <p>Include your long course description here. The long course description should contain 150-400 words.</p>\n\n   <p>This is paragraph 2 of the long course description. Add more paragraphs as needed. Make sure to enclose them in paragraph tags.</p>\n </section>\n\n <section class="prerequisites">\n   <h2>Prerequisites</h2>\n   <p>Add information about course prerequisites here.</p>\n </section>\n\n <section class="course-staff">\n   <h2>Course Staff</h2>\n   <article class="teacher">\n     <div class="teacher-image">\n       <img src="/static/images/pl-faculty.png" align="left" style="margin:0 20 px 0">\n     </div>\n\n     <h3>Staff Member #1</h3>\n     <p>Biography of instructor/staff member #1</p>\n   </article>\n\n   <article class="teacher">\n     <div class="teacher-image">\n       <img src="/static/images/pl-faculty.png" align="left" style="margin:0 20 px 0">\n     </div>\n\n     <h3>Staff Member #2</h3>\n     <p>Biography of instructor/staff member #2</p>\n   </article>\n </section>\n\n <section class="faq">\n   <section class="responses">\n     <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>\n     <article class="response">\n       <h3>What web browser should I use?</h3>\n       <p>The Open edX platform works best with current versions of Chrome, Firefox or Safari, or with Internet Explorer version 9 and above.</p>\n\n       <p>See our <a href="http://edx.readthedocs.org/en/latest/browsers.html">list of supported browsers</a> for the most up-to-date information.</p>\n     </article>\n\n     <article class="response">\n       <h3>Question #2</h3>\n       <p>Your answer would be displayed here.</p>\n     </article>\n   </section>\n </section>\n',
+  pacing: 'instructor',
+  short_description: null,
+  start: '2013-02-05T05:00:00Z',
+  start_display: 'Feb. 5, 2013',
+  start_type: 'timestamp',
+};
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/messages.js b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/messages.js
index 0c2bce4a9..eb165c7b5 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/messages.js
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/discussions/messages.js
@@ -34,6 +34,11 @@ const messages = defineMessages({
     defaultMessage: 'Applied',
     description: 'Button label when the discussion configuration has been successfully submitted.',
   },
+  noProviderSwitchAfterCourseStarted: {
+    id: 'authoring.discussions.noProviderSwitchAfterCourseStarted',
+    defaultMessage: "Discussion provider can't be changed after course has started, please reach out to partner support.",
+    description: "Informs the user that the provider can't be changed after the course has started.",
+  },
   providerSelection: {
     id: 'authoring.discussions.providerSelection',
     defaultMessage: 'Provider selection',
diff --git a/src/pages-and-resources/pages/PageCard.jsx b/src/pages-and-resources/pages/PageCard.jsx
index b90e88aad..17d25cddc 100644
--- a/src/pages-and-resources/pages/PageCard.jsx
+++ b/src/pages-and-resources/pages/PageCard.jsx
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ function PageCard({
             iconAs={Icon}
             size="inline"
             alt={intl.formatMessage(messages.settings)}
+            onClick={() => {}}
           />
         </Hyperlink>
       );
diff --git a/src/store.js b/src/store.js
index 703a64962..e023afd31 100644
--- a/src/store.js
+++ b/src/store.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { reducer as courseDetailReducer } from './data/slice';
 import { reducer as discussionsReducer } from './pages-and-resources/discussions';
 import { reducer as pagesAndResourcesReducer } from './pages-and-resources/data/slice';
 
-export default function initializeStore() {
+export default function initializeStore(preloadedState = undefined) {
   return configureStore({
     reducer: {
       courseDetail: courseDetailReducer,
@@ -13,5 +13,6 @@ export default function initializeStore() {
       pagesAndResources: pagesAndResourcesReducer,
       models: modelsReducer,
     },
+    preloadedState,
   });
 }