A term system divides the academic year into three 10-week sessions. A semester system divides the academic year into two semesters, fall and spring, each fifteen (15) weeks in length plus an exam period. Additionally, a summer session will be offered but the time frame has yet to be determined.

The 2008 Fall Semester will begin August 25 and classes will end December 12.  There is a final exam period December 13 (for Saturday classes) and Monday, December 15 through Thursday, December 18.

The 2008 Spring Semester will begin January 26 and classes will end May 15.  There is a final exam period May 16 (for Saturday classes) and Monday, May 18 through Thursday, May 21.

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.)

Students will be required to carry a minimum of twelve (12) credits in a semester system. (Currently, students must carry eight (8) or more credits to be full-time under the term system.)

The College will continue to offer very flexible scheduling with both day and evening classes. Given the demand for basics courses, students should be able to maintain full-time enrollment.

"Half-time status" is a term used for students receiving financial aid. Under the semester system, students will need to carry six (6) or more credits to be considered half-time.

Students planning to graduate in December 2008 should be working closely with their faculty/academic advisor to insure that students are taking the required courses for their degree program. All divisions are currently reviewing their programs of study to make sure the required courses are offered during 2007-08 so students can complete their curricular requirements.

Financial aid deadlines are imposed by the state and federal government. For example, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) requires all students pursuing an Associate in Arts (AA) degree to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 1 and all Associate in Applied Science (AAS) and Associate in General Studies (AGS) students to submit their FAFSA by August 1 in order to qualify for the state grant for the new academic year. PHEAA requires all continuing college students, regardless of major, to submit their re-application for the grant each year by May 1. Pell, which is the federal grant program allows students to apply for financial aid year round. Remember that all students must submit a new FAFSA every year in order to qualify for financial aid each year. This includes grants, loans and work-study opportunities. Visit the FAFSA website to apply online and/or for additional information at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Given the above-mentioned deadlines, students may feel less pressure to process financial aid paperwork because of the reduction in the academic year from four terms (summer, fall, winter, and spring) to three semesters (summer, fall and spring). The semester system will also allow the Financial Aid office staff time to process students’ financial aid more efficiently.

Since RACC will be switching to a semester system, cross registration with Penn State-Berks, Kutztown University, Albright College and Alvernia College should actually be easier. Each of the other four Berks County colleges is already operating on a semester system.

While the proposed semester calendar does not include a designated time for student club/organizational meetings, there is time designated within the calendar for governance meetings and cultural events when only adjuncts will be permitted to teach classes. This time frame could provide an excellent opportunity for student organizations to schedule their regular business meetings.

"Half-time status" typically refers to students receiving financial aid. Under the semester system, students will need to be enrolled in at least six credits each semester. Students who are working and attending college will be able to maintain their half-time status.

Absolutely!

The universal rule for college students is that for every hour they spend in class each week per course, they should be spending at least two hours out of class per course studying. Therefore, if students are taking more courses in a semester system than they did in a term system, students will have more work to do over the course of fifteen (15) weeks. This means that while students may have to take an additional course, they have five additional weeks over which to spread the workload assignments, projects, papers, etc.

The Workforce Development/Community Education/non-credit area of the college will still retain their own calendar of courses/activities/programs. This calendar will and usually is, different from the credit area of the college.

The 2007-08 catalog will still reflect courses offered on a term system because the college will be operating on the term system. Beginning with the 2008-09 catalog when the semester system commences, course descriptions will indicate whether a course is offered in the fall or spring semester. The 2008-09 catalog will be available in print and on the RACC website in February/March 2008.

A part-time student under the semester system will be anyone carrying eleven (11) or less credits per semester. The College will continue to offer flexible scheduling for both day and evening classes so students will be able to move through their degree program as their lives permits.

Program Coordinators are currently reviewing all programs of study to determine what courses will be offered throughout 2007-08 so students can make an easy transition to the semester system and complete all their required courses. It is extremely important that all students meet with their academic advisors to develop a future academic plan in preparation for graduation.

Work-study students will be permitted to work a maximum of 15 hours/week.

A three (3) credit course currently meets 240 minutes per week under the term system. This same course will meet for 150 minutes per week under the semester system.

The academic year will begin in late August and end in May. Summer sessions will also be offered. The academic calendar will be posted on this site as soon as it is approved.

Evening sections will be available. Evening classes will begin at 5:00 two times per week. Clinicals will also be two times per week beginning at 3:00 (or possibly 2:45 depending on the facility). These will be Monday through Thursday–– no weekends.

There are a minimal number of required experiences that must be done during the day because they are not offered in the evening, such as an operating room observation. Also, all students will have day and evening clinical rotations during the last semester.