The COM 8-Week Advantage

Learning designed for student success.

We believe you are meant to be bold and fly high.

But we get it, life happens—work, family responsibilities and unforeseen circumstances. Navigating obstacles while trying to take multiple courses can quickly derail an entire 16-week semester.

This is where the COM 8-week Advantage can help! Our 8-week sessions allow students to balance their educational and life commitments. Students take half the courses they would during a 16-week semester, which means if an unforeseen circumstance happens, the entire semester is not lost. And with multiple start dates throughout the year, students can easily re-enroll in the next session.

What is the COM 8-Week Advantage?

Beginning in the fall of 2024, the majority of 3‑hour courses at COM will switch to an 8-week format from the longstanding 16-week format. The fall and spring semesters will be split in half with a first 8-week and second 8-week session.

When possible, students will take 8-week courses instead of 16‑week courses, allowing them to focus on just two or three courses at a time. Students will still be able to complete the same number of hours across 16 weeks with the new 8‑week format.

This new format will help students stay on track and graduate on time. The COM 8-Week Advantage will ensure you stay on a path toward success!

The Benefits are HUGE!

Studies show the benefits of 8-week sessions are tremendous compared to the traditional 16‑week format.

Top Four Benefits of the COM 8‑Week Advantage:

FOCUS

Avoid burnout, feeling overwhelmed and trying to juggle multiple subjects and assignments. Students will be able to focus on fewer subjects and complete the same number of hours they would over a 16-week semester.

MOMENTUM

Students are more likely to stay on track, pass their courses and keep going until graduation. Research across the country clearly shows increased graduation rates among students taking 8-week sessions.

FLEXIBILITY

Students will have more balance and flexibility with managing life responsibilities while still prioritizing their education.

STATUS

Part-time students can become full-time by taking two courses during each 8-week session, which provides numerous benefits from financial aid to providing proof of insurance and more.

What About Financial Aid?

With this new 8-week format, students will still be able to receive financial aid like they do with 16-week semesters. The only change will be with the disbursement schedules. Registration will work the same way as with 16-week semesters. Students will receive financial aid disbursements to cover each session for which they have registered.

Students will still be able to complete the same number of hours across two, 8-week sessions as they would throughout a 16-week semester.

What’s even better is that part-time students will have the ability to become full-time by simply taking two courses during each 8-week session, which provides numerous benefits for those requiring financial aid.

To learn more, visit: com.edu/academics/8week.