What is a seven-week class?
Seven-week classes cover the same amount of content and material in about half the time.
Because of that, seven-week classes may meet more often or for longer periods of time in order to get the class done in a shorter timespan than the typical 15 week semester class.
Seven-week classes offer the same quality of teaching, support, and content, but in half the time as 15-week classes.
Research has shown that students in seven-week classes:
- have higher class success rates.
- have higher completion rates.
- progress more quickly to a degree.
It also offers more flexibility for working students!
Search for seven-week classes
Learn which seven-week classes are offered this year by visiting courses.grcc.edu. Select the semester you plan to attend, type in the course you are looking for in the search field, and then filter the results for seven-week classes using the menu on the left.
Can I still take a 15-week class if I am taking a seven-week class?
Yes, you can take a combination of seven- and 15-week classes. The overall GRCC class schedule will continue to have a large proportion of classes that run for 15 weeks (14 weeks of class with an exam week following).
Note: classes that have a specific sequence may not be taken in the same semester as a mixture of seven- and 15 week formats. For example, a 15-week EN 101 class could not be taken at the same time as a seven-week EN 102 class.
How many seven-week classes should I take?
It is recommended that a student take no more than (two) seven-week classes at the same time and no more than a total of (four) seven-week classes over the class of a 15-week semester.
How can I prepare for a seven-week class?
Part-time students who work a full-time job are strongly advised to take only one seven-week class at a time, because seven-week classes are of the same rigor and equate to the same instructional and required study hours as 15-week classes.
Be prepared to manage time wisely, not miss classes and can stay current with the class requirements. Just as you would with any class, block off enough time outside of class for studying.
Online classes
If you are considering a seven-week online class and have never taken an online class before, we recommend starting with a 15-week online class first if possible.
Logging in to seven-week classes should be done daily. However, federal regulations require that student attendance be established by activity MORE than just logging into the class. Attendance can be determined by participating in a discussion board, submitting an assignment, or other actions that are considered fulfilling a class requirement or contributing toward a grade as defined in the class syllabus.
What about attendance and seven-week classes?
Regular attendance is important for all classes, regardless of the class length. However, even one absence in a seven-week class can result in missing a lot of material.
Students may be subject to attendance policies that could cause them to be dropped for lack of attendance, or if they have ceased attendance and made no communication with faculty regarding their absence. Attendance policies are in place to promote student success and reduce the likelihood of receiving a failing grade.
What is a hybrid class?
A hybrid class is an online class that includes some scheduled face-to-face classroom instruction. This format works well for students who need more flexibility in their schedule but still like the opportunity to see their instructor and classmates in-person.
Will seven-week classes transfer?
Yes! Taking a class in a seven-week format will not impact the transferability of a class.
A student’s transcript will look identical whether they take a class in a seven-week format or a 15-week format. The name of the class and the number of credits assigned to that class will remain the same.
Do seven-week classes have a final exam week?
If you are enrolled in a seven-week class and the instructor decides to give a final exam, it will be administered on the last regularly scheduled meeting date. There is no formal “exam week” for seven-week classes.
How does financial aid work with seven-week classes?
In accelerated scheduling, a student’s credit hours for the semester are divided between two seven-week periods. The number of credit hours a student takes in the semester as a whole will determine their enrollment level and how much financial aid is disbursed to a student’s account.
Students who only enroll and attend one of the seven-week periods within the full length semester would be subject to a reduced Cost of Attendance (COA) budget, which could impact the amount of financial aid a student is eligible for.
Connect with the financial aid office to learn more.