8-Week Classes

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I still take my course online?

  Yes, all our course formats will still be offered:

  • In-Person
  • Hybrid
  • Online Anytime
  • Online Scheduled
• Are 8-week courses harder?

  They move at a faster pace, but because students take fewer courses at a time, many find it easier to stay focused and organized.

  Instead of taking four courses a semester and having four finals at the same time, you can take the first two courses and have only two finals in the first session, and then the other two courses and have only two finals in the second session, allowing for deeper focus on material. 

  The suggested course load for 8-week classes is:

  • 2 courses in the first eight weeks 
    • Take 2 final exams in the first eight weeks
  • 2 courses in the second eight weeks
    • Take 2 final exams in the second eight weeks
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• How many classes will I take at once?

  The suggested course load for 8-week courses is:

  • 2 courses in the first eight weeks
  • 2 courses in the second eight weeks

  You will still register for 16 weeks of courses, but you will take half in the first eight weeks and the other half in the second eight weeks.

   
• Can I still take a 16-week course?

  Yes. Some courses continue to be offered in a 16-week format, but most courses will be offered in the 8-week format to increase the scheduling flexibility and completion success for all students. There are also some courses involving time-dependent content, apprenticeships/internships, and fine arts skill development that cannot be shortened. 
• What happens when sections fill?

  The 8-week course registrations are monitored by the college, so if there is great demand for a course or a particular section, we can adjust course offerings. Your student success advisor is there to help you when sections fill and you’d like to review your options. 
• How do enrollment and refund deadlines differ in 8-week courses?

  Since the 8-week course material is condensed, open enrollment for these courses will close before the course start date. Your student success advisor can still help you enroll after the open period in a more guided process so that you don’t miss too much content. The benefit of having five start dates for courses is that if you’re too late to start one 8-week course, you can start the next course earlier, rather than having to wait an entire semester.

  Students are directed to their MyICC account for their charges and tuition due dates.

  The deadline to officially drop a course and receive a refund will also be shortened, since more class material will be covered in a shortened time. Refund dates vary and are listed for each course on the student’s class schedule. The ICC class schedule can be viewed at MyICC. Read more in the course catalog’s tuition refund section. 
  
  
• What happens if I miss a week?
  Missing a week in an 8-week class is significant, but with quick action and support, you may still have a path forward. Contact your instructor immediately to understand what you missed

  • Prioritize key assignments to get back on track as quickly as possible
  • Use support services like tutoring or advising if you need help catching up

  Faculty members may establish attendance policies and/or makeup procedures for their classes. Some programs like health careers have established rigid attendance policies. 

  In case of prolonged absences because of illness, accident, hospitalization, or family problems, students should notify the Dean of Students so proper notification can be made to instructors. In addition, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor about possible makeup work.

   
• Will this delay my graduation?

  No. Students earn the same credits, and the flexible structure helps many stay on track.
• Can I graduate faster?
  It depends on how many classes you typically take each semester. The same credit limitations are in place: the maximum without Dean approval is 18 credit hours/semester. Therefore, a maximum of 9 credit hours /8-week session are allowed.

   

  If you are a full-time student

  Most full-time students will not graduate faster in an 8-week format. You are usually taking the same total number of classes in a semester (for example, 12–15 credit hours), just spread across two 8-week sessions instead of one 16-week term. What changes is your schedule, not your total course load.

   

  If you are a part-time student

  This is where you may see a real benefit. Because classes are offered in two 8-week blocks, some part-time students can take an additional class in the same semester. Classes are offered in multiple formats and times of the week to accommodate work schedules. 

   

  Example:

  • Typical pace: 6 credit hours per semester (2 classes)
  • With 8-week format: 9 credit hours (3 classes across two sessions)

  That’s a 50% increase in course completion in the same amount of time, which can significantly speed up graduation.

  Key takeaway

  • Full-time students = same pace, different structure
  • Part-time students = opportunity to move faster if they choose

  If you’re interested in accelerating your progress, a student success advisor can help you build a schedule that works for you.

   

   
• Glossary of Terms

  Session: Each 8-week timeframe is referred to as a session. There are two 8-week sessions within one 16-week semester.

  Semester: A semester is a 16-week timeframe. This is traditionally how college courses are offered.

  Course: A course is a class offered by the College. The terms ‘course’ and ‘class’ are used interchangeably. 

  Credit Hour: This standard workload usually breaks down to about 3 hours of direct instruction (in-class time) and 6 hours of independent study/homework per week, totaling roughly 9 hours weekly.

  Section: A section is one instance of a course offered in the same timeframe. One course, for example, English 110, may have several sections on different days and formats. 

  Pace: This describes how condensed the course timeframe is. You will learn the same amount of material, but either at an 8-week pace or a 16-week pace.

  Modality or Format: This describes how you attend the course. We offer in-person, online anytime, online scheduled, and hybrid options.