We understand that life’s demands can vary, and that’s Angelina College offers flexible options for terms and semester lengths. Whether you’re juggling work, family, or other commitments, we have a solution for you. Choose from a range of short-term intensive courses or longer, traditional semesters to fit your schedule and goals. At AC, we’re committed to making education accessible to everyone, on your terms. Join us and customize your learning journey today!
Traditional 16-week semesters aren’t going anywhere, but AC is offering 8-week terms, which allow students to focus on fewer things at once and finish courses faster. Since many courses start every 8-weeks, there are more opportunities to jumpstart your educational journey.
A: National and AC research shows higher student performance in the 8-week format.
Exposing students to information more often – a more immersive approach – results in higher absorption and retention. AC students are able to dedicate their time to one or two courses during each 8-week term, which provides increased focus time per course. The Student Tutoring Center, the Writing Lab, and TutorMe are available for all students who need additional help.
The research also shows that concentrated learning systems better support individual student needs, emphasize fewer distractions, and allow students to focus intently on an area of interest rather than multitasking.
A: Yes, just as enrollment is currently dependent on multiple factors, the number of courses per 8-week term will be dependent on a variety of factors, such as academic success and/or the number of credits successfully completed. AC Success Coaches will continue helping students look at options that work best for them. Please reach out to your Success Coach for your specific considerations.
A: People learn differently. Generally, 8-week terms will offer a better experience for most students. Traditional 16-week semesters are offered for some courses, especially those where learning material more slowly is valuable or for courses that require clinicals, work-based learning experiences, or field hours.
A: Course content, objectives, and rigor will remain the same as a traditional 16-week course.
A: Yes. Public colleges and universities in Texas have transfer agreements in place to make sure courses transfer between institutions. The course length is not notated on the transcript.
A: Some courses will meet more frequently and others may become hybrid courses, which is a mix of both in-class and online to meet seat time requirements.
A: During a 16-week term, there are more opportunities for life to interfere with academic progress. An 8-week term offers increased flexibility for course completion and attention to personal issues. For example, if a student has an emergency halfway through an 8-week course versus halfway through a 16-week course, the 8-week offers a better chance for completion.
A: The purpose of 8-week terms is to focus on fewer items at once, not to graduate earlier. A traditional “full load” over 16-weeks would just be cut in half, so students take two courses every 8-weeks, rather than four courses for 16 weeks.