8-Week Courses
Accelerate Your Path with 8-week Courses!
8-week courses allow students to complete a class in half the time as a regular 16-week course. You will cover the same content, but in a condensed timeframe. This gives you more options in how you complete your degree and the ability to focus on fewer classes at a time each semester.
Why take an 8-week course?
Many schools have found positive outcomes for students who take 8-week courses.
Here is a list of some of the positive outcomes schools have found for students who take 8-week courses:
- Increased course success rates
- Decreases in the number of students who withdraw from 8-week courses
- Increased numbers of students who continue at the college from one semester to the next
- Increased graduation rates
- Increased number of earned credits
While positive outcomes like those mentioned above are not guaranteed, it is clear that students have benefited from 8 week courses.
Scheduling Flexibility
Consider how 8-week courses can increase your flexibility while you earn the same number of credits (or more) each semester.
NOTE: Instead of taking 3 classes each semester, you could take 2 classes each 8 weeks allowing you to focus on fewer courses at a time, while earning more credits in a semester:
Regular 16-week Semester
Course | Credits
- Astronomy (ASTR 1100) | 3
- Interpersonal Communication (CSMT 1010) | 3
- American Government and Politics (PSCI 1101) | 3
Total Credits | 9
Early 8-week session + Late 8-week session
Course | Credits | Early/Late
- Astronomy (ASTR 1100) | 3 | Early
- Interpersonal Communication (CSMT 1010) | 3 | Early
- American Government and Politics (PSCI 1101) | 3 | Late
- College Composition (ENGL 1110) | 3 | Late
Total Credits | 12
Want to take it a bit slower?
Then you might consider taking 1 class each 8-week session allowing you to focus on one course at a time, but still earning the same number of credits during the semester:
Regular 16-week Semester
Course | Credits
- Introduction to Art (ARTS 1110) | 3
- American Government and Politics (PSCI 1101) | 3
Total Credits | 6
Early 8-week session + Late 8-week session
Course | Credits | Early/Late
- American Government and Politics (PSCI 1101) | 3 | Early
- Introduction to Art (ARTS 1110) | 3 | Late
Total Credits | 6
What do you need to know about taking 8-week courses?
When registering for an 8-week course, it is important to understand how the courses work and the time and workload expectations. Take a minute to review some actions you can take to make your 8-week courses a success.
Manage Your Time: 8-week courses cover the same content in a condensed timeframe, which means you plan to spend more time on each 8-week class you take. So, while you might have fewer classes to focus on at a time each will require a larger time commitment.
Be Prepared: Since 8-week classes occur in a condensed timeframe being prepared for each class, creating a study schedule, and actively participating in class will be essential.
Make Connections: Get to know your classmates and instructors. Create a support network to help clarify questions, collaborate on assignments, and keep each other accountable.
Expect the Unexpected: Life events might pop up and disrupt your course(s). To the best of your ability, try to create back-up plans in case of an emergency.
Interested? Checkout 8-week course offering for the fall 2024 semester.
- Early 8-week course offerings (August 26 to October 16)
- Late 8-week course offerings (October 21 to December 20)
As you put your schedule together, here are a few tips:
- If you plan on taking more than two 8-week courses you should consult with your academic advisor first.
- While students can take both 8-week and 16-week courses in the same semester balancing your schedule is important. Consider working with your academic advisor to find the right balance and mix of classes.
- Go slow to go fast – consider trying one 8-week class first to get a sense of how they work and the pace of the course. Once you get the hang of it, consider registering for more.