The purpose of the Wintersession term is to present students with an alternative learning experience that may not be available in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Students are provided the opportunity to take a break from their core studies and experiment with more innovative course offerings suitable to a shorter timeframe. Courses are designed to take into account the compressed and immersive nature of a condensed term. Many students take advantage of this opportunity to explore new practices, interdisciplinary study, travel courses, or internship opportunities.

Most courses are available to students without restriction and regardless of major, prior knowledge, or experience. Courses with restrictions are indicated in the description of the course.

In some departments, students may be required to enroll in specific Wintersession courses. Students that are required by their program to take a designated major-required Wintersession course will be pre-registered into the course prior to web-registration opening.

No more than six credits are permitted during Wintersession. There are no exceptions to the 6-credit rule.

Registration for Wintersession courses is available via Workday, except for travel classes, ISP/CSP, and Internships (see each section for how to register for these particular classes). Web registration appointment times are available to students in October and follow the schedule posted on the Registrar’s Office website. Web registration appointment times are randomly assigned within the appropriate cohort/class level group. Workday allows students to register only after their assigned time begins.

Students are limited to selecting one course at the time of initial registration (which includes any pre-registered course). Most courses offered during Wintersession are 3 credits. If you register in one course which carries 6 credits, then you may not take a second course, even if the second course is an independent study or internship, as students may not exceed 6 credits in Wintersession.

Registration in a second course is dependent upon course availability and is not guaranteed. The registration system is set up to provide all students with an opportunity to select one course before any student has an opportunity to select a second course. Registration for a second course is allowed only after all students have had a chance to register for one course.

Wintersession is designed for focused, unrestricted work in a course without the normal distractions of multiple courses. Coursework for two classes in Wintersession can be overwhelming. Consult with your Academic Advisor if you are considering taking more than one course. Care should be taken in choosing courses so that they do not conflict in time or attendance.