Instead of one 16-week term, courses in our residential program will be organized into two eight-week sessions within that semester. For example, Fall 1 will run from August-October, and Fall 2 will run from October-December.
What are the benefits to students of the eight-week model?
In the long term, the eight-week model gives students added flexibility, allowing them to balance their course loads according to what’s going on in their lives (e.g., sports, jobs, and other activities). It also allows students to really concentrate on just a handful of subjects at a time, rather than juggling five or six.
Is the eight-week model brand new to Point?
Our fully online degree programs already operate in this format, so we’re familiar with how it works.
Are other colleges doing this?
Yes, many other colleges are considering this type of schedule for the fall semester, given the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Point has already been using this model for online programs, but there are other colleges that have already been using this schedule for some time. One example is Grace College, in Indiana, which shares a lot of similarities with Point. Click here to read a blog post by a Grace student who likes the eight-week terms.
Does this mean I’ll be taking a whole semester’s worth of courses in eight weeks?
No, most students will take just two or three courses in each eight-week session.
Will all courses be eight weeks long?
We recognize that there are some courses which will need to be exceptions to the eight-week model. It is likely that those courses would be taught as Part A in Fall 1, and Part B in Fall 2.
What about dual-credit enrollment courses?
DCE-only courses will continue to operate on the 16-week model, to keep them aligned with high-school terms.
How will this affect financial aid?
Students will still be eligible for the same financial aid programs, although disbursement may happen at slightly different times. Think of the 16-week term as an umbrella, and the two eight-week sessions underneath it. Financial aid will be applied for the entire fall semester, but your courses will be organized into Fall 1 (August-October) and Fall 2 (October-December). The same will be true for the spring and summer semesters.
How will this affect campus housing? Meal plans?
We’re working on updates to these policies, and we will keep you informed as decisions are made.
What about athletic eligibility?
Athletic eligibility will be calculated per NAIA guidelines; we do not anticipate this will change anything for student-athletes. In fact, one benefit would be the option to enroll in more courses when your sport isn’t in season. For example, a women’s soccer player might enroll in just two courses during Fall 1 (August-October), when her sport is primarily in season, but take three courses in Fall 2 (October-December), when there’s less overlap.
What about student-athletes missing courses for athletic contests?
We’re working on a plan to accommodate student-athletes’ travel in this new model.
If we’re on campus this fall, will courses meet for longer time periods on individual days of the week?
We are still working out the details of the revised schedule. Stay tuned!
Will I have to re-register myself for fall courses?
We are working on a revised schedule, and we will automatically register you for the same courses for which you were already registered. If there’s a course conflict, you’ll hear from our Advising Center about that.
