09 Dec ND University System offers intersession courses to accelerate degree attainment
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota University System (NDUS) is offering a way for students to accelerate degree completion through intersession courses offered over the upcoming winter break. Courses during the intersession offer a way for students to take classes during the break between fall and spring semester to meet graduation requirements, repeat courses, explore new topics or complete their degree sooner.
An intersession is a shortened session that occurs in the three weeks between the fall and spring semesters. Intersession classes condense what would have been a full semester class into a much shorter timeframe. Intersession courses are online and open to students from other colleges and universities. Courses are transferrable to other academic institutions.
Claire Weltz is a student at the University of North Dakota who found intersession courses contributed to her college success. She said, “Taking an intersession course allowed me to discover new topics in an academic setting that I wouldn’t have otherwise considered.”
Weltz also said her intersession course created an opportunity to gauge her interest in a new topic. “I was enrolled as an engineering student and planned to switch to communications in the spring. Although I had already selected my full-time courses for the spring semester, the intersession course provided an opportunity to ‘dip my toes in the water’ of my new major. Because the course was modified to fit the break, I didn’t feel as if I had to commit to a semester-long class or risk taking a withdrawal on my transcript. Knowing that I could earn credit for my efforts also encouraged me to try an intersession course” she said.
“It’s great to see students, like Claire, taking advantage of the courses offered during the intersession to accelerate degree completion and explore new and emerging fields of academic study,” NDUS Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs Lisa Johnson said.
Students are not limited to courses offered through their current enrolled institution. To see the entire list of course offerings during the upcoming intersession, enroll or for additional information, go to https://ndus.edu/intersession/.