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 semester undergraduate 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 meetings; 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 semester undergraduate section 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.