Temple University students can now take courses of different lengths within a semester.

The new options are called “part-of-term” courses. In the summer, students can take four-week or 12-week part-of-term courses. These options complement the traditional six-week summer-semester courses.

In fall and spring semesters, students can take new seven-week part-of-term courses. Traditional fall and spring courses last 14 weeks, plus breaks and finals.

The courses available in each part of term and the number of credits per course will vary. Students should consult with their advisors for more information.

Priority registration for summer courses begins today, Wednesday, March 18; priority registration for the fall starts March 25.

Convenience for students

The new course options will provide students with multiple benefits.

• Students who fall behind on their path to graduating in four years will have more opportunities to catch up during the summer. They may be able to take a 12-week course that closely matches the pace of a traditional fall or spring class, or they may opt to take a three- or four-credit course over a four-week part-of-term period.

• Students will have greater flexibility. For example, they could take a four-week course over the summer instead of a six- or 12-week one. They could also take a part-of-term course during the portion of a semester that is most convenient for them.

• If students drop or withdraw from a course near the beginning of the fall or spring semester, they may be able to catch up on credits by taking a seven-week course later in the term.

• Students could potentially take sequential courses (such as Spanish 1001 and Spanish 1002) in the same semester.

“Through initiatives like Fly in 4 and these new part-of-term options, Temple University is offering opportunities that provide a path to encourage students to complete the courses they need to graduate in four years,” Provost Hai-Lung Dai said. “We want students to carefully consider all the options for taking courses that will keep them on track to complete their degrees on time.”

How it works

Part-of-term courses are being piloted this summer and in the 2015-2016 school year. Students can talk to their advisors or use TUportal to find out which specific courses are available in each part of term.

Each part of term will have its own start and end dates, add/drop period and withdrawal deadline. More information can be found on the academic calendars for 2014–2015 and 2015–2016.