Semester Transition - Q&A

Question:

What is the difference between a quarter and a semester?

Answer:

• Almost all universities have an academic year of approximately 30 weeks. On quarters, the academic year is divided into three terms (approximately 10 weeks each); on semesters, the academic year is divided into two terms (approximately 14-15 weeks each). Both calendars offer a summer term.
• For undergraduate students, full-time status required a minimum of 12 credit hours on the quarter calendar and will require a minimum of 12 hours on the semester calendar.
• University Minimum Degree Credit Hour Requirements*:
  • An associate's degree requires completion of a minimum of 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours;
  • A bachelor's degree requires completion of a minimum of 183 quarter hours or 120 semester hours.

  *Note that some programs may require a higher number of hours for graduation.

• The tuition and fees for ONE ACADEMIC YEAR OF SEMESTERS (i.e. two semesters) will not exceed what the tuition and fees for ONE ACADEMIC YEAR OF QUARTERS (i.e. three quarters) would have been. However, it is important to note that:
  • Under semesters, students will pay fees twice per year instead of three times per year.
  • Because a semester is about 1 1/2 times the length of a quarter, charges for one semester will be approximately 1 1/2 times higher than for one quarter.
  • If you receive financial aid, you will receive the same financial aid annual amounts per eligibility as established by the awards you receive. However, the amounts will be divided between two semesters as opposed to three quarters.

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Question:

Why is Wright State University considering changing from quarters to semesters?

Answer:

The University System of Ohio Strategic Plan for Higher Education has called for all State of Ohio public universities on the quarter system to strongly consider converting to a semester academic calendar.

In response to this call, the Faculty Senate authorized an Exploratory Committee on the Transition from Quarters to Semesters to identify the tasks involved in undertaking such a transition. The objective of this committee was to recommend a semester calendar for consideration and to produce a transition plan and a timeline for completing the steps of the plan.

At its March 27, 2009 meeting, Wright State's Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution to convert the academic calendar from the quarter system to semesters.

Over 90 percent of the universities in the U.S. and nine of the 13 public universities in the state of Ohio are currently on semester calendars. The transition should produce a calendar that is in alignment with these universities to facilitate collaborative academic programs, student transfer, and articulation.

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Question:

What are the advantages of changing from quarters to semesters?

Answer:

Semesters provide several advantages to students, faculty, and staff. The semester system:

• Provides more time for learning course material
  
• Provides an opportunity for faculty curricula innovation
  
• Provides more time for summer internships
  
• Brings our courses in line with most textbooks, which are written on the semester calendar
  
• Gives students a better chance at summer jobs because the school year ends earlier
  
• Allows graduating seniors to enter the job market earlier
  
• Reduces registration and financial aid activity from three times to two times per academic year
  
• Brings our calendar into line with most of the state-supported universities in Ohio
  
• Brings WSU’s calendar into line with most of the state supported universities in Ohio
  
• Allows better scheduling of off-campus learning experiences such as student teaching and clinicals
  
• Promotes better scheduling of activities involving other universities and colleges such as conferences and athletic events

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Question:

What are the other universities on quarters and what are their plans?

Answer:

Wright State University, The Ohio State University, Ohio University, and the University of Cincinnati are the only State of Ohio public universities on a quarter calendar. All four universities have approved the conversion to a semester calendar targeted for Fall 2012. The other nine state universities are already on semesters.

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Question:

What is Wright State's status?

Answer:

A Semesters Transition Team, made up of faculty, staff, students, and administrators, is working to assure a smooth transition. The committee will provide adminstrative oversight, facilitation, and successful implementation of the semesters conversion plan.

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Question:

When will the change occur?

Answer:

The conversion to semesters will occur Fall 2012.

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Question:

How will it affect me?

Answer:

If you graduate before Fall 2012, it will not affect you at all. If you graduate after 2012, you will be a transition student. One of the principles that is guiding the current examination of a semester conversion is a pledge to Students.

Commitment to Students
The transition to semesters should not adversely affect the time to graduation for students. To ensure this outcome, all students will be strongly encouraged to participate in the University's advising process and to follow the advice of their academic advisor. The transition should not increase the total cost of a degree.

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Question:

How will degree requirements change?

Answer:

• An associate’s degree requires completion of a minimum of 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours*;
• A bachelor’s degree requires completion of a minimum of 180 quarter hours or 120 semester hours*; and
• A master’s degree requires completion of a minimum of 45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours*.

*Note that some colleges may require a higher number of hours for graduation.

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