January Term (J-Term) Courses
Between the fall and spring semesters, a January term (J-Term) is offered, giving both students and faculty members the opportunity to concentrate on a topic of special interest. The January term courses emphasize experimental education, immersion in a topic or activity, creativity, and close interaction with one faculty member or a team of faculty.
Up to four credit hours may be earned at no charge to the student during J-Term. (Students may register for up to four credit hours, for which the tuition for those hours will be waived.) No student may enroll for more than four hours during J-Term without permission from his/her academic advisor and the Provost.
To be eligible for tuition waiver during J-Term enrollment, a student must be a full-time student, have been enrolled during the previous fall semester as a full-time student, and be enrolled for the upcoming spring semester as a full-time student. Residential students who meet the above criteria will not be assessed room, board, and communication fees during the J-Term. Students enrolled less than full-time during the previous fall semester or during the upcoming spring semester are eligible to take classes during J-Term at the published tuition rate. All students who plan to reside on campus during the January Term must be enrolled in a class that meets during the specified days of J-term.
J-term classes operate in an accelerated format of 10-12 class meeting; therefore, all students must be prepared to participate fully in class on the first meeting day. The last day to enroll in a J-term class is during the last week in December. See the academic calendar in the front of this catalog for the specific date. Students will be permitted to enroll in a J-term class after this date only under extraordinary circumstances beyond the student’s control. All J-term classes have a first day assignment that must be submitted at the start of class on the first meeting day. Textbooks for J-term classes will be available in the bookstore during the last week of the fall semester. Students must bring the textbook to class on the first meeting day of J-term. Detailed course descriptions, first day assignments, and textbook information on J-term classes will be posted on pccommon before J-term course enrollment begins. Students are advised to review this information and understand it fully before selecting a J-term class. No student will be permitted to change J-term classes after the last date to add a J-term class.
Note: Students suspended at the end of the fall semester may not take a J-Term class.