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 summer term consists of 10 weeks with two 5-week mini-sessions. The summer session begins in June and ends in August. (See Academic Calendar.)
Credit for a course completed is awarded in semester hours (sh). In most instances, the number of semester hours awarded for a course represents the number of hours that course meets each week. Generally a 3-credit hour course meets for three hours each week for one semester. There are exceptions to this general rule, including laboratory courses and other courses.