The two most common academic calendars or schedules used by colleges or universities are the semester and quarter system. While both have their pros and cons, it will be best I lead you into details. As you read on, you will gain clarity on how both schedules work for students and then choose one which best suits your personality. So, I’ll advise you to give a keen interest while reading through this article. Kindly read through the table of contents for an overview and click on any part of it to automatically take you to your area of interest.
What Are the Semester and Quarter Systems?
A semester system is one with 15-week cycles, followed by a winter break and one in the spring and followed by a summer break. Here, the student takes five courses each term or an estimated number of about 15 credits. A semester resumes in late August and ends in early May. Also, this system is practised by a greater percentage of most institutions of higher learning. A quarter system consisting of about 10 weeks in the fall, winter, summer, and spring will have the students take 3-4 courses each term or say 9-12 credits. This academic calendar runs from the middle of September through early June. Furthermore, it has an optional quarter which allows students to take more workloads and probably, have an early graduation. 15 Best Sustainability Masters Programs
What Are The Advantages Of A Semester System?
Below are the advantages of a semester system
Because it runs a longer session, it is less stressful for both students and professors. Also, it has a positive impact on both teaching and learning.As exerted by some experts, long semesters avail the students the opportunity of learning and completing assignments. It is most helpful to graduate students who have lengthy assignments to complete. A semester calendar year provides gives room for students-faculty contact. Failure as a result of illness may be corrected as long as there is frequent rapport amongst students and their professors.To accommodate the attention of the college students, a semester system have shorter class periods lasting about 50-75 minutes.
Advantages Of A Quarter System
Unlike the time spread in a semester system, the condensed terms of a quarter system has the following advantages to offer its students.
In a quarter system, it is easier for faculty to take a sabbatical leave to focus on their research. This is so because they can still implement year-long teaching requirements into the other two quarters.Shorter terms to students mean they do not have to spend as much time in a class or with a professor they find disagreeable. While to professors, they do not have to manage a rowdy class or a combative student for a long time.This quarter is flexible such that it permits students to try double majors, interact more with faculty members, and making up for academic failures.
Disadvantages Of The Semester System And The Quarter System
While both academic schedules seem to favor both college students and instructors, they also have their impediments. On the semester system, students who wish to switch majors may end up taking and paying for courses not needed while switching majors in the quarter system wouldn’t cost students that much resources and time. Also, failing and trying to make up in a semester calendar seems to be a hard task as each term comes with its terms for students. Furthermore, on the quarter system, students may experience a hard time landing internships because businesses generally set internship program dates around a semester schedule. Similarly, quarter system students may also not qualify for study abroad options, which often run on a semester schedule. Finally, the quarter systems may cause students to miss out on life-changing opportunities. What Is A Capstone Project In Graduate Schools? And Its Importance
How Do Transfer Schools Calculate Semester vs. Quarter Units?
Schools that operate on a semester system award semester credits while colleges that operate on a quarter system award quarter credits. Before you can successfully transfer from one system to another, you should get yourself acquainted with how those credits are calculated. Here’s how. Generally, transferred incoming semester credits are multiplied by 1.5. For instance, if at the University of Washington, a student earns 30 credits in a semester calendar college, such a student would have gotten 45 quarter credits by the end of the calculations. Similarly, transferred quarter credits are divided by 1.5. For instance, if a student from the University of Washington transferred into a program at a quarter system college with 5 quarter credits, by the end of calculations, such a student will now have 3.3-semester credits. So, for you as a prospective transfer student, you should know that many schools allow a certain number of transfer credits that are usually around 60.
How Long Is A College Semester?
Depending on the school, a typical college semester is fifteen weeks long with the academic calendar divided into three semesters (fall, spring, and summer). The fall and spring semesters are both fifteen weeks long and the third semester, shorter. Usually, the academic year begins in September and ends in August of the succeeding year. The fall semester begins in September, while the spring semester begins in January. Also, summer terms hold between May and August.
Which Colleges Are On The Quarter System?
To further narrow your search, we have helped you compile a list of schools that dwell on the quarter system. See them below. Effective Life Skills Curriculum For College Students
Which System Is Best For Students?
Both college systems have their different goals which seem to satisfy their various students. The semester system has more distinct advantages mostly associated with time. But, the quarter school schedule provides more flexibility with an array of options. In a nutshell, students in the quarter academic system can remain focused knowing they have less timeframe than those in the semester academic calendar. Regardless, it is an important factor to check how schools run their academic year and whether it is suitable for you.
Conclusion
I hope you make the most of this information and settle for which you think is better for you.Best wishes!
References
Recommendations
Does this article meet your immediate needs? If yes, leave us with a 5-star rating in the Review Box below. However, if no, leave a comment on the comment box to express your concern or ask the question and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
