The academic year is divided into two semesters and one summer session. The fall semester begins in late August and ends in December. The spring semester begins in January and ends in May. The fall and spring semesters also contain split terms of eight weeks each, and these terms primarily make up the institution's Stillman Online course offerings. The first eight-week term begins on the same day as the full term and concludes eight weeks later. The second eight-week term begins in the ninth week and concludes on the same dates as the full term's final dates. The summer session consists of two five-week terms. The first term begins in May and ends in July; the second term begins in July and ends in August (see the “Academic Calendar”).
Credit for courses completed is awarded in semester hours. The number of semester credit hours awarded for a course generally represents the number of hours that course meets each week. For example, a 3-credit hour course meets for three hours each week for one semester. There are exceptions to the general rule, which may include military science, laboratories, and other courses.