Fact Sheet
Semester Success Facts
- Nationally, the trend is to operate under a semester system. The other four Berks County colleges (Albright, Alvernia, Kutztown and Penn State- Berks) are on a semester system.
- Semesters offer greater compatibility with other institutions' calendars and curricula, thus making transfer easier.
- Semesters allow for a more thorough examination of subjects, research assignments and term papers--in fact, there will be 50 percent more time to learn material.
- Students enter the job market at the same time as their counterparts at other colleges instead of six weeks later as on the term system, so there are more opportunities.
- There is more time to work with students at risk, which will improve the retention rate.
- Creates more flexible scheduling opportunities.
At RACC:
- The year will begin in August and end in May.
- A semester will be 15 weeks plus a final exam period.
- There will be longer breaks between semesters.
- 12 credits constitute full-time.
- One less registration and advising period and more lead time for processing.
- Allows staff and students more planning time.
- Staff will be able to inform students of their academic standing in a timely fashion.
- Students will be in class for a total of 150 minutes per week for a standard three-credit course under the semester system. Currently, students are in class a total of 240 minutes for a three-credit course under the term system.