DESIGNED FOR SUCCESS
A Better Approach
A traditional college course semester is 16 weeks long (about four months). At Ivy Tech Community College, most of the courses we offer are eight weeks long, and for good reason! Research studies and our own students tell us that the shorter courses help keep them focused and better juggle the demands of work and family. It’s a big difference why many students can stick with school despite their complicated schedules.
How Do 8-Week Courses Work?
Great question. An eight-week course at Ivy Tech is equivalent to a full class, it's just accelerated and spread over fewer weeks. You go to classes and complete coursework and exams all within one eight-week period. You then start a new eight-week course. At the end of 16 weeks, you’d have credits for two courses, but the key is you took them one at a time, compared to juggling two classes at a time over a traditional 16-week semester. Eight-week courses can be traditional, online, or hybrid.
Eight-week courses allow our students to focus on fewer subjects at a time and still earn the same number of credits in a semester as a traditional college.
For example:
One Course at a Time at Ivy Tech
|
Ivy Tech 8-Week |
Ivy Tech 8-Week |
After One Semester You Earn |
|
Anatomy and Physiology - APHY 101 |
Anatomy and Physiology - APHY 102 |
6 credits hours |
|
Ivy Tech 8-Week |
Ivy Tech 8-Week |
|
|
English Composition - ENGL 111 |
College Algebra - MATH 136 |
6 credits hours |
|
TOTAL |
12 credit hours |
Two Courses at a Time at a Traditional College
| Traditional College 16-Week Fall Semester | After One Semester You Earn |
|
Anatomy and Physiology 101 English Composition - ENGL 111 |
6 credit hours |
| Traditional College 16-Week Spring Semester | |
|
Anatomy and Physiology - APHY 102 College Algebra - MATH 136 |
6 credit hours |
| TOTAL | 12 credit hours |
8-Week Classes Help You Succeed
The eight-week classes offered by Ivy Tech can have a big impact on your success:
- You’re able to focus on fewer subjects at a time
- You can still earn the same number of credits in a semester
- More opportunities to start classes: January, March, June, August, and October
- You’re less likely to have a class interrupted by a complication outside of school in the shorter block of time
- Completing a course within eight weeks helps beat mid-semester burnout
- Greater contact time over a shorter period helps you develop stronger relationships with other students and the instructors
- Studies show that you’re more likely to get better grades!
Note that while the vast majority of Ivy Tech's classes are eight weeks, 16-week courses may be offered from time to time depending on your academic program.
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Our eight-week sessions start throughout the year, so you have more opportunities to start classes. Every year, classes start in January, March, June, August, and October.
2024 8-Week Sessions Start Date
Spring Session #1 Jan 16, 2024
Spring Session #2 Mar 18, 2024
Summer Session June 3, 2024
Fall Session #1 Aug 19, 2024
Fall Session #2 Oct 21, 2024 -
Success Tips for 8-Week Courses
We understand an eight-week session may be different than what you’re used to, but with a few adjustments, we think you’ll find you really like it. Here are some tips:
Preparation & Study Habits- Log into your course 48 hours before your first scheduled meeting day to review the syllabus
- Quickly engage in the course, get your books and materials early, and know your deadlines
- Pay special attention to assignments that may have specific due dates throughout the week, like a discussion board
- Organize your materials to fit each of your class requirements
Communication & Relationships- Communicate as early as possible with your instructors and your Academic Success Coach if life circumstances are getting in the way of your success
- Ask questions early about major assignments; do not wait until the last minute
- Build relationships with both students and the instructor early in the class
Scheduling- Balancing your schedule is very important for success; if you plan to take five classes, consider no more than three in an eight-week term
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About 85-90% of Ivy Tech’s classes are taught in eight-week terms. Some classes are taught over shorter or longer periods, depending on the course’s academic requirements. In general, you can expect to encounter these types of classes in the following circumstances:
4-Week Courses
Four-week courses are typically one credit hour. A typical four-week course is IVYT 111 - Student Success in University Transfer, which provides students with an overview of skills and strategies necessary to successfully complete a degree or certificate from Ivy Tech Community College and to transfer to a four-year institution. Four-week courses can be in-person, online, or hybrid.
10-Week, 12-Week, & 16-Week Courses
Some courses at IvyTech run longer than eight weeks. These courses tend to be in specific program areas such as science courses with labs or fine arts where a longer class time is preferred. Longer courses can also be in in-person, online, or hybrid formats.
COACHING FOR 8-WEEK CLASSES
Contact the Center for Academic Success Coaching
For assistance and more success tips for eight-week classes, visit the Center for Academic Success Coaching or the Central Indiana Virtual Front Desk. You can also email us to set up a meeting with an Academic Success Coach to discuss best practices for study habits.
Contact Your Advisor
Your academic advisor can also provide guidance on the benefits and challenges of eight-week classes and help with class registration. To find your advisor's name, log in to MyIvy and click Student > Student Dashboard. Scroll to the My Academic Profile section, select your current term in the dropdown menu, and your advisor's name and an email link will display at the bottom