Term A is a semester-length online term. As shown in the image above, term A runs in parallel with the traditional semester for residential programs. In the fall, this is referred to as Fall A; in the spring, it is called Spring A. There is no term A in the summer. The separate online term helps differentiate semester-length online course offerings from residential, hybrid, and virtual course offerings for the residentially-based programs. The separate online term also helps with enrollment processes and data management by distinguishing online course sections from those offered in other modalities. Internships and dissertations for online students might be listed in term A, depending on program needs.

Subterm B is the first 8-week interval of a traditional academic semester or term. In the fall, this is referred to as Fall B. In the spring, it is referred to as Spring B. In the summer, this is referred to as Summer B.

Subterm C is the second 8-week interval of a traditional academic semester or term. In the fall, this is referred to as Fall C. In the spring, this is referred to as Spring C. In the summer, this is referred to as Summer C. Since the summer session is shorter than a semester, Summer B and Summer C overlap.

A student-centered school is mindful of the different needs of residential and online students. Sub-terms occurring within the delimitations of the standard terms of an academic year, such as semesters, are beneficial for online programs in several ways.

For student recruiting and enrollment, subterms reduce the time between start dates for new students, which can be attractive to prospective students.

Focusing on fewer courses at once can be helpful for students who are in a career or shouldering more substantial domestic responsibilities than a typical 18- to 22-year-old residential undergraduate student. Subterms enable students to consolidate their efforts on fewer courses at once while allowing them to complete the same number of courses within an academic term/semester.

Full-time students can frontload or backload their course schedule across the subterms while remaining full-time. For example, a full-time residential student would carry 12 credit hours or four courses per semester. The equivalent credits for a full-time online student could be achieved in several configurations:

See the “Procedures” section in the Academic Calendar Policy (1.1.1).