collageThe number of semesters in a college year depends on the type of institution you’re attending.
Most traditional colleges have 16-18 semester per year. However, some schools have more than that, with 20 or even 22 semesters per year.
For example, a 4-year degree program at the University of California may take 10 semesters to complete. This means that if you enroll as an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, for example, it will take you 5 years to graduate with an Associates Degree (or 60 credits).
How Many Years is a Bachelor’s Degree?
Traditionally, bachelor’s degree programs are designed to take 4 years to complete. However, there are many exceptions that can allow students to finish a bachelor’s degree faster, such as accelerated online bachelor degree programs that can be completed in 2 years, or finish a degree much slower. For example, some bachelor’s degree programs have time limits that give students 7 to 10 years to complete the program. Several other factors may affect how long it takes someone to graduate from college, which we discuss in more detail below.
How Long Does it Take to Graduate College?
Graduation time may be affected by factors like chosen majors, changing majors, financial aid, work schedules, home life demands, and more. While it normally takes students 4 years to complete a bachelor’s degree, most students are done within 6 years. This is supported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). They reported most bachelor’s degree students (60%) who began study in 2011 graduated in 2017. Here we examine just a few factors that may allow students to finish a bachelor’s degree program faster or slower than 4 years.
Degree Completion
Degree completion programs are typically designed to allow individuals to finish a bachelor’s degree faster than 4 years. These programs are intended for working professionals who have not earned a bachelor’s degree but have years of valuable work experience. Students in these programs may have started a bachelor’s degree program but never finished. Degree completion programs accept transfer credits towards the program to allow students to finish the program in as little as 2 years.
Part-Time Programs
Part-time bachelor’s degree programs are fairly common for working students and professionals. While some part-time bachelor’s degree programs may be degree completion programs and can be completed in as little as 2 years, others allow students to work at their own pace and may take more than 4 years to complete. This is where time limits may be enforced that require students to finish their degrees within 7 to 10 years.
Majors/Dual Programs
The length of the program may also be determined by the major. For example, some majors are more likely to offer accelerated programs that could be completed in less than 4 years, such as nursing, while other majors usually take more than 4 years to complete, such as a 5-year architecture degree. Majors that take longer may include additional requirements, like research and/or internships.
Dual degree programs also traditionally take longer than 4 years to complete but allow students to earn 2 separate degrees. For example, there are 5-year bachelor’s/master’s degree programs in psychology that allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in the field faster than completing each degree separately.
How Many Semesters in 4 Years of College?
Traditionally, there are 2 semesters per academic year. This means a semester in the fall and a semester in the spring. Therefore, 4 years of college is typically seen as including 8 semesters. Some schools may also offer summer or winter terms where students can take additional coursework, and/or other schools may work off of a quarter system. There are 3 quarters in 2 semesters.
How Long Does it Take to Finish General Education in College?
General education coursework in college usually takes 2 years to complete. These courses cover traditional subjects, such as English and math, and are commonly completed in the first 2 years of a 4-year bachelor’s degree program. This allows students to take mostly major-related courses in the final 2 years of their degree program.
How Long Is A Semester In Months
Academic terms in college vary in length, according to the model the school uses. The most common organization of the academic year is Semesters, Trimesters, and Quarters. You may also enroll in accelerated online classes.
Semesters
Traditionally, colleges and universities offer three semesters during each academic year:
- Fall semester – 15 weeks
- Spring semester – 15 weeks
- Summer semester – 12 weeks
The fall and spring semesters are usually 15 weeks long, with optional summer semesters typically lasting only 12 weeks.
Quarters
Schools that use the quarter system divide the academic year into four academic periods: fall, winter, spring, and summer.
- Fall quarter – 10 weeks
- Winter quarter – 10 weeks
- Spring quarter – 10 weeks
- Summer quarter – 10 weeks
The quarterly system divides the year into four sessions that correspond with the four seasons of the year. Each session is approximately ten weeks long.
Trimesters
Although not quite as common, some schools offer trimesters and include 12 week classes during the fall, winter, and spring.
- Fall trimester – 12 weeks
- Winter trimester – 12 weeks
- Spring trimester – 12 weeks
Many schools using the trimester system also offer a summer session which makes this system similar to the quarter system.
Accelerated Courses
A growing number of colleges, especially those offering online courses, allow you to enroll in classes lasting between five to eight weeks.
Currently, the most common accelerated course format is 8 weeks.
- Fall semester 1 – 8 weeks
- Fall semester 2 – 8 weeks
- Spring semester 1 – 8 weeks
- Spring semester 2 – 8 weeks
- Summer semester – 8 weeks
When enrolling in accelerated classes, you typically take 2 courses at a time, but some universities allow you to take 3 or more classes if you keep your GPA up.
If you take the typical two classes per semester and stay continuously enrolled, you may be able to earn 30 academic credits each year. If you take additional courses in a fast bachelor degree program, you might finish your degree at a quicker pace.
The types of degrees offered in an accelerated format tend to be those that do not include science labs as part of the academic requirements for graduation, such as biology or chemistry.
Which Is the Best Term Format?
There is no best term format. There’s only the best term format for you. Each of these options has its pros and cons. The trick is to examine each from all sides and see which one is going to fit your life and schedule best.
Semesters
Semesters are the most widely used terms of study, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best option for you.
Here are some things to consider:
Pros:
- Better for incoming freshmen
- In-depth study
- Optional summer classes
- One-on-one instructor time
Cons:
- Stuck in the same classes for 15 weeks
Trimesters and Quarters
Because their term lengths are so close – 12 and 10 weeks respectively – trimesters and quarters have many of the same pros and cons, such as:
Pros:
- Light Schedule – Only Three Classes a Term
- Get out of unenjoyable classes sooner
- Light course load
- Two graduation dates per year
Cons:
- Faster paced learning
- Shorter breaks between terms
Accelerated Courses
The biggest pro for accelerated courses is, of course, that you may finish far faster than you would through any of the other options.
Pros:
- Ability to finish your degree in less time
- Juggle only 2 courses at a time instead of 5 courses
- Get out of unenjoyable classes sooner
Cons:
- Fast-paced learning
- Assignments have shorter deadlines
If you prefer spending 15 weeks going deep in a class, then a traditional semester may be a better choice. However, if you find yourself ready to move on to the next class by the time mid-terms roll around, then accelerated classes might be a better option.
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