PLEASE CHECK BACK IN EARLY OCTOBER FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT J TERM 2014.

Overview

January Term—or "J Term"—is designed to provide SMU students with yet another option to pursue their academic goals through a focused learning opportunity and a smaller class size. This concentrated program of study allows motivated students to enroll in one course (most are 3 credit hours) and productively use this “down time” prior to the start of the spring semester.

In 2013, there are 40 courses from which to choose and all are taught by regular SMU faculty members or adjunct professors. Review the J Term 2013 course listing and talk with your academic advisor about which course makes sense for you. J Term courses are separate and in addition to the course load you carry during the fall and spring semesters, and are offered at a discounted tuition rate.

In addition to the financial incentive, J Term offers you many advantages including the opportunity to:

• Accelerate degree completion or stay on track for graduation (in four years)
• Work toward a second major or minor, or take an elective
• Fulfill general education (GEC) or university curriculum (UC) requirements
• Complete a prerequisite needed for another course or opportunity (SMU Abroad or SMU-in-Taos, for example)
• Take a particular course of interest with a distinguished faculty member not normally offered or outside your degree plan
• Meet graduate or professional school admissions requirements
• Improve academic standing/GPA or maintain eligibility (for athletics, scholarships, etc.)

Any SMU student in good standing is eligible to enroll in a J Term course.  It may also be possible for non-SMU students to be admitted as a visiting or non-degree student and enroll in one J Term course; for details, please visit the enrollment section.

Please note that this is a rigorous undertaking and you should not sign-up unless you are prepared to commit the time and energy necessary to successfully complete an entire course through this intensive format and to attend every class session. Depending on the course, there may be substantial advance reading before the first class meeting, assignments due before and during the two-week period, in-class or take-home exam(s), and final papers or projects due following the last class meeting. Are you up to the challenge?