This page provides procedures, guidelines and resources for graduate curriculum, program development and accelerated course offerings. Use the information below to support consistent planning, registration and administration of graduate programs and courses.
Short Semester Guidelines
- Eligibility for abbreviated sessions should be limited to graduate-level coursework and graduate students only.
- Courses offered in the 8-week format should be fully online, with no face-to-face delivery options.
- Course offerings should align with the University's existing fall, spring, and summer registration periods.
- To promote student success in the accelerated format, graduate programs are encouraged to advise students to take no more than two courses per session, typically resulting in a maximum of four courses per semester.
- Final grades for courses offered in either half semester session should not be considered official until the conclusion of the full semester. Academic petitions related to these courses should also be deferred until semester end.
- Students should register for both first-half and second-half courses at the start of the semester.
- Standard terminology should be adopted across the institution:
- First Half Semester
- Second Half Semester
- Full Semester