The University offers two six-week sessions. These sessions are an integral part of the year-round program of course offerings for both graduate and undergraduate students. The first six-week terms begins immediately after commencement in May. They are specifically designed to serve a variety of publics: VU students accelerating their study, currently licensed teachers desiring further professional education, visiting students from other colleges earning credit while on summer vacation, high school graduates beginning their college careers early, and other interested persons who would like to take coursework toward degree objectives or simply for personal enrichment. 

Adult students take advantage of summer coursework to allow the opportunity to take classes that are unavailable to them in the fall due to higher full-time undergraduate enrollments. Although most courses are six weeks, within each six-week term there are usually a number of specialized courses which are offered in shorter periods of time. Typically these involve field trips, field study (including international travel), and immersion experiences which use films, videos, or laboratories. These unique classroom experiences generally last two-four weeks. For more information about the undergraduate, non-traditional (College of Adult Scholars), or graduate programs, please refer to the links provided.

All undergraduate students taking summer coursework may earn a maximum of seven credit hours in each six-week term, or 14 for the entire summer, which is nearly the equivalent of one semester’s work. Graduate students may earn 9 credits in one summer session, and 12 total for both session. Students enrolled in a two or four-week intensive course may not be simultaneously enrolled for any other course, except by petition. Details can be viewed on the link provided for the Office of the Registrar. Registration for the Summer Session begins February 18, 2010 and it is preferred that students register no later than the date the session begins. Occasional changes are made subsequent to distribution of summer schedules. Students must complete the registration form, which includes the signature of the academic adviser.