A new advantage for students: Eight-week classes expected to increase student success

More than 3,500 students graduated from NWTC last year with degrees and certificates in high-demand fields ranging from health care to engineering technology.

“That’s 3,500 people leaving here with credentials; 3,500 people joining the workforce; 3,500 people earning better and higher wages to support their families,” Dr. Jeff Rafn, president of NWTC, said. “Those are things of which to be pleased and proud.”

This fall NWTC is making a bold, strategic move that promises to help even more students master their courses, stay in college, and earn a credential. The College is starting to transition courses from 15 weeks to eight weeks in length. Two programs transitioned courses to the eight-week model this fall. Beginning in summer 2020, about half of all programs will move to the new format with the remaining programs to transition in fall of 2021. It’s called the 8-Week Advantage. 

The new schedule is called the 8-Week Advantage because that is exactly what it is – an advantage for NWTC students. National data shows that with eight-week courses, students have increased course success and completion rates. At NWTC, students who have taken eight-week or shorter courses have experienced similar, successful results. 

“I would rather have the eight-week classes versus the 15 weeks,” Nursing student Brittany Lamb, said. “There is a shorter light at the end of the tunnel. I was more successful in an eight-week class.”

With eight-week classes, students will still have the same amount of course hours as 15-week courses, but will be taking only half the number of classes at the same time. Lamb admits feeling nervous trying out an eight-week class. She said, though, the fast-paced program pushed her to go more in depth with the course material and she was able to focus better. 

Under the new structure, there will be a total of five academic sessions every year. Fall semester will have two eight-week sessions, spring semester will have two eight-week sessions, and there will be one eight-week session during the summer. 

For Business Management students like Brian Dieck, the shorter blocks of class time mean increased flexibility for work and family life.

“Going forward, I can see myself scheduling two classes, then three classes – still nailing 15 credits or more a semester and then having the opportunity to work the 25 to 30 hours a week needed to cover all the bills and expenses that life comes across,” Dieck said.  

The biggest difference, he added, is that the eight-week schedule essentially cuts his workload in half. 

“It really does feel that way,” he said. “Because you’re not learning five subjects all at once.” 

Students also seem to build stronger connections with their instructor and classmates in the eight-week classes. By taking longer classes in a shorter timeframe, such as a four-hour class held twice a week for eight weeks, students may feel more comfortable in their classes sooner than in the traditional 15-week course.  

“Honestly, the camaraderie and the fellowship among students in (the eight-week) class was a lot better, simply because we had more time,” said Dieck. “The impact was being a little more comfortable in my own skin in class and being more comfortable raising my hand because I’m more comfortable with the people around me.”

Learn more about 8-Week Advantage at nwtc.edu/8week

8 Things to Know About 8-Week Advantage

1. Why 8-Week advantage

It is all about student success— increased course success rates, persistence and completion rates. 

2. Timeline

• Two programs – Supply Chain Management and Therapeutic Massage – became part of 8-Week Advantage in August 2019. 
• Beginning in summer 2020, about half of all programs will be offered in eight- week sessions.
• ​In 2021, the rest of NWTC’s programs will be offered in eight-week sessions. 

3. New academic calendar

Each semester will have two eight-week sessions, there will be one eight-week session during summer, for a total of five sessions every academic year. 

4. More program entry points

Students may have more flexibility on when they can begin a program. With the eight-week model, some programs may accept students in August, October, January, March, or June.

5. Better focus

In the current 15-week semester, a full-time student may, for example, be taking four classes at one time. With 8-Week Advantage, that full-time student could still take four classes in one semester, but could concentrate on just two classes during session one and two during session two.

6. Potential to graduate faster

Part-time students who, for example, take two classes per semester may find they are able to focus on two classes per session instead, allowing them to complete programs faster.  

7. Stronger relationships

Longer class periods over a shorter timeframe enhances the student-faculty connection.

8. No change to financial aid

Financial aid practices will remain the same.