Summer School

summer.unc.edu

JAN JOHNSON YOPP, Dean

History

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill established what was possibly America’s first Summer School in 1877. It enrolled 235 students in courses from 10 disciplines. Women were first admitted into University courses during this summer session. Students came from 42 North Carolina counties and several neighboring states. By 1925, 19,983 students had enrolled in Summer School. The University has continued annually to provide a wide offering of summer academic opportunities to the people of North Carolina and other residents from this country and abroad. From 1934 to 1987, the programs were administered by the Office of Summer Sessions. The traditional name of Summer School was reinstated in 1988.

Opportunities

The College of Arts and Sciences as well as many professional schools offer summer courses for undergraduates and graduates. The same faculty members who make the University one of the nation’s best teach the courses, assisted by visiting professors who are specially recruited by departments for this purpose.

Summer School is central to the teaching mission of the University. The summer term is one of the three terms during which the campus is open for formal instruction. Summer courses are of comparable quality and provide the same credit as corresponding courses in the fall or spring term.

When students have problems in the fall/spring terms getting courses they need or have to choose between courses, summer provides a time when the course can be taken. This option relieves pressure on fall/spring enrollment, creates opportunities for enhancement of students’ programs, and increases student access to courses in nonmajor fields and other schools.

Because some subjects are best learned in an intensive and concentrated way, summer provides a time when students can focus on a single field. This learning style is particularly useful for some laboratory experiences, concentrated arts courses, and foreign languages. Some curricula require field study or research projects, and summer uniquely allows time for these studies.

The summer program is one of the key ways the campus reaches out to visiting and postdegree students who can benefit from what the University has to offer. Finally, summer is a time for faculty members to develop and experiment with new courses and teaching models that can be offered during the fall or spring semesters as well.

During the summer, faculty members and students can concentrate on one or two courses without interruptions of other administrative, academic, and social events that exist during the year. The total number of students is fewer in the summer, and the mix includes a higher proportion of nontraditional, visiting, and minority students than during the fall/spring terms. Because class sizes are smaller and classes meet daily, students interact more with faculty and one another.

Programs

The Summer School has two sessions of five weeks each and other short courses, institutes, workshops, etc., with various beginning and ending dates. In recent years, about 700 different sections of courses have been offered each summer to about 8,000 students in the first session and 5,500 in the second. The available courses include many that satisfy the undergraduate curriculum degree requirements. Twelve semester hours of credit typically would be earned by a full-time summer student over both summer sessions. Many students take fewer hours or attend only one session. Total credit hours earned by students in the summer term are about 57,500. About 90 percent of summer students are regular UNC–Chapel Hill students, and the other 10 percent are visiting students.

In recent summers, enrolled students have come from all 100 counties in North Carolina and all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 60 foreign countries.

Highlights

Summer School highlights include concentrated three-week courses offered in Maymester at the beginning of First Summer Session; some field courses and law courses that extend beyond the usual first session length; some courses taught specially for public school teachers that begin after mid-June when the public schools end their term; and other institutes and workshops offered for credit that operate on a concentrated schedule. About 30 courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening. Some offerings combine off-campus activities and on-campus classes or combine online and face-to-face learning formats.

The Summer School Abroad includes UNC–Chapel Hill courses taught by UNC’s regular faculty who accompany the students. The courses have higher fees to cover various components of the foreign experience. Typical total costs for three- to four-week programs offering six credit hours are $2,500 to $ 5,000. Registration begins in October and runs through spring break. Spaces are limited. Class sizes vary from 10 to 60, and locations range from London to Greece to China.

Student Services

The Summer School coordinates and distributes information on the summer course offerings for credit in all academic affairs units. Tentative schedules are available in the Summer School in mid-December. Regular UNC–Chapel Hill students who need information on summer courses and early registration should contact their advisor, dean, or the relevant academic department. These students and all others can obtain updated information daily on the Web site summer.unc.edu.

The Summer School admits and advises visiting students. A potential visiting student can obtain information and an application from the Summer School, CB# 3340, 134 E. Franklin St., (919) 966-4364, or from the Web site. Registration instructions are provided. The dean of the Summer School acts as the dean for these students to approve any schedule adjustments and to represent their interests in other academic and administrative matters.

Summer School students are able to use most of the campus facilities enjoyed by students in the fall and spring semesters, such as the libraries, computer rooms, and athletic facilities. Information on University housing and on dining plans is available in March. The Carolina Union, Carolina intramural coed recreational sports, and The Summer Tar Heel provide activities, events, and information during the summer.