Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Registration in the Residential College
1. Is the Winter-term part of the Spring Semester?
Yes. Effective Fall 2024, Elizabethtown College no longer appends the winter-term (previously a standalone term) to our spring semester. At this time, the operational calendar houses the winter-term within the spring semester. The College will continue to bill students for the winter-term independently of the 15 week spring term. The spring semester is now defined as a combination of the winter-term (4 weeks) and the spring-term (15 weeks). Each term will continue to be billed independently.
Students may not carry more than 18 credits in a semester without petitioning for an overload in the Fall semester. Any student seeking to register for a combination of more than 20 credits across the Spring Semester (19 weeks), which is a combination of the winter and spring sessions, or more than 18 credits in the spring (15-week sub-term) will be required to submit an Overload Petition to seek assistance with finalizing course registration during your assigned registration time slot.
Undergraduate Spring Semester (SP) |
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Schools |
Winter |
Spring |
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GPS |
4WK (W1) |
5WK (S1) |
5WK (S2) |
5WK (S3) |
15 Week (S4) |
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On-Campus |
4WK (1W) |
15 Week (4S) |
Semester Loads
- Fall Semester. 15 weeks. The Fall semester is comprised of multiple sub-terms at the graduate (#A, A#) and undergraduate level (#F, F#). A student may register for a maximum of 18 credits across any combination of fall sub-terms before seeking permission to overload, with associated fees. A student may carry a maximum of 20 credits in the fall semester.
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Spring Semester.
19 weeks. The Spring semester is comprised of a combination of winter and spring sub-terms. Below is the permissible combination of credits across the any combination of sub-terms:
- Winter sub-terms Only: A student may register for a maximum of 4 credits in the winter-sub-term(s): Undergraduate (#W, W#) and Graduate (#I, I#).
- Spring sub-terms Only: A student may register for a maximum of 18 credits across any combination of spring sub-terms: Undergraduate (#S, S#) and Graduate (#P, #P) before seeking permission to overload.
- Winter/Spring Combination: A student may register for a maximum of 4 credits in the winter along with a maximum registration of 18 credits across any combination of spring sub-terms (#S, S#) before seeking permission to overload.
- Summer Semester: 14 weeks. Students may carry up to maximum of 12 undergraduate (#J, J#) or graduate (#U, U#) credits before seeking permission to overload. Overloads are permitted for a maximum of 16 credits in the summer.
- Overload Fee Waivers. Due to program curricular demands and accreditations, a program may have pre-approved per-semester overload waivers. Please refer to the program, or program director, for more information.
2. How much will it cost?
For undergraduate students , summer tuition fees are less than those charged during the regular academic year. This makes a summer course with Elizabethtown College an excellent value. For a complete list of tuition fees associated with summer enrollment, please refer to the Business Office - Annual Expenses page for more information.
For graduate students , for a complete list of tuition fees associated with summer enrollment please refer to the Business Office - Annual Expenses page for more information.
3. How can I apply for summer housing ?
Summer housing requests should be directed to the Office of Community Living at reslife@etown.edu or call 717-361-1197.
4. What courses will be offered?
Please refer to our course listing page for more information.
5. How many courses can I take?
Undergraduate students are limited to twelve credits across the summer term. A petition for overload is required to exceed the maximum. Graduate students may register for up to 16 credits (Fall, Spring, Summer) without overload assessment.
6. When is payment due?
Payment for summer courses will be due on the Friday prior to the start of classes. You may call the Business Office at 717-361-1417. The College does not accept payment by credit card over the phone. Students paying by an electronic check or credit card can pay online at www.etown.edu/businessoffice.
7. How will the online courses be formatted and do I need any special computer hardware or software?
You don’t need any special hardware. The online courses will be offered using Canvas learning management system (no charge or extra fee). Please check with Information and Technology Services to confirm that your computer is up to the challenge of an online course. If issues with technology arise during the course, you can contact our Help Desk for support. In terms of course format, you can expect to be dynamically engaged on multiple levels in this learning experience. Specific course expectations will vary and will be clearly stated on each course syllabus by your instructor. For example, you may be asked to participate in a live discussion or make regular posts to a discussion board.
8. Am I eligible for financial aid in the summer?
Please read the information at this link provided by our Office of Financial Aid about summer financial aid possibilities.
9. Do I need to purchase a textbook for the course?
This will vary with each course, just as it does during the regular academic year. Textbook requirements will be listed on the syllabus for each course. The textbook list can also be found on the Elizabethtown College Store website . You may purchase your textbooks from the Elizabethtown College Store. Students are encouraged to contact the Elizabethtown College Store at 717-361-1130 for alternative purchase methods that do not include a physical visit to campus.
10. If I complete my final graduation requirements in the Summer when will I receive my diploma?
Any concerns with graduation should be discussed with a member of the Office of Registration and Records. The College has three graduation conferral dates: August, December, and May (Commencement). Students graduating in August or December will be invited to participate in the subsequent May Commencement ceremony, provided they have not previously participated in a ceremony as an early participant. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Registration and Records Office or call 717-361-1409 for assistance.
11. How do I file a formal complaint about my Distance Learning Experience?
Elizabethtown College strives at all times to provide the highest quality of service and the best student experience possible. In the event that you have a serious complaint against the College, please review your options for filing a Distance Education Complaint.