January Term Transition FAQ

Below you will find answers to the most common questions about the plan to realign January Term Transition & New Academic Calendar FAQ

Effective Fall 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Question Is January Term continuing?: Answer
No. January Term has been discontinued.
January 2026 was the final January Term offered at the University of La Verne.
Question Why is January Term being removed?: Answer
The University is moving to a more sustainable and predictable academic structure. While valued by some students, January Term created challenges related to scheduling, cost, and participation levels. Going forward, the University will focus on strengthening the Summer Term as the primary opportunity for accelerated progress.
Question Will there be a Maymester instead of January Term?: Answer
No. The University explored a Maymester option, but financial aid constraints prevent it from being implemented in a sustainable way. As a result, the University will not move forward with a May interim term.
Question What is replacing January Term?: Answer
The accelerated opportunities previously supported through January Term will now shift to a strengthened Summer Term, allowing students to make progress toward graduation through summer enrollment.
Question What does the new summer term look like?: Answer
The calendar includes an 8-week Summer Term, with the option to offer two 4-week sessions:

• Summer Term (8 weeks): June–August
• Optional Session 1 (4 weeks)
• Optional Session 2 (4 weeks)

Example: Summer 2027 runs June 7 – August 1.
Question Can students still graduate early without January Term?: Answer
Yes, but the pathway will now run through summer coursework, not January. Students who previously used January Term to accelerate progress will need to plan for summer enrollment in consultation with advisors and program schedules.
Question What does this mean for undergraduate programs?: Answer
Undergraduate programs will need to develop:

• Clear summer course offerings
• A predictable rotation of required courses
• Clear summer pathways that support timely graduation

The goal is for students and faculty to plan based on a stable three-year schedule.
Question When does the new calendar take effect?: Answer
The new three-year academic calendar begins in Fall 2026.
Question What are the term dates under the new calendar?: Answer
Each academic year will follow:

• Fall Semester: August–December
• Spring Semester: January–May
• Summer Term: June–August

Example Academic Year 2026–27:

Fall Term: Aug 10 – Dec 13, 2026
Spring Term: Jan 4 – May 9, 2027
Summer Term: June 7 – Aug 1, 2027
Question What will no longer be offered?: Answer
To be very clear:

• There will be no January Term after January 2026
• There will be no Maymester replacement
• There is no standalone interim term being implemented in May
• Acceleration and early graduation planning will run through summer rather than January
• Programs should not assume exceptions or alternate term structures outside the approved
calendar
Question Who should students contact with questions about planning?: Answer
Students should contact:

• Their academic advisor
• Their program department
• The Registrar or Academic Affairs for calendar interpretation

Summer planning will be a key advising focus moving forward.
Question What will summer tuition look like for students?: Answer
January Term courses were previously bundled into fall tuition. Summer courses are typically offered under a separate tuition structure. The University is actively reviewing summer tuition and affordability options, including potential discounted models, and will communicate final decisions once they are confirmed.
Question How will financial aid work in the summer term?: Answer
Summer financial aid is available for many students, but depends on individual eligibility and enrollment. Summer operates under a distinct financial aid structure from fall and spring, and students will need to plan accordingly with the Financial Aid Office.

Additional summer aid guidance will be shared as part of the University’s expanded summer implementation.
Question Will faculty be required to teach during the summer?: Answer
No. Summer teaching is not universally required of all faculty. Summer offerings will continue to be scheduled based on:

• Student demand
• Program needs
• Available instructional staffing
• Budgetary planning

The University’s goal is to build intentional and sustainable summer programming, not to mandate additional teaching obligations across all departments.

Departments will continue to work through normal academic scheduling processes to determine appropriate summer offerings.
Question Will all majors be required to offer courses in the summer?: Answer
Not every program will offer every course every summer. However, undergraduate programs will be expected to develop clear summer pathways that support student progress and timely graduation.

This means departments should plan for summer offerings that may include:

• High-demand required courses
• Bottleneck courses that delay graduation
• Strategic electives that support degree completion

The transition away from January Term means that summer will become the primary opportunity for students seeking accelerated progress.
Question Can departments simply opt out of summer scheduling?: Answer
Summer programming will be an institutional priority moving forward. While offerings will vary by program, the University expects undergraduate programs to contribute to a summer schedule that is predictable, supports student needs, and aligns with degree completion goals.
Question Are summer courses replacing January Term one-for-one?: Answer
No. Summer is not a direct replica of January Term. Instead, the calendar provides an established summer structure that includes an 8-week term and optional 4-week sessions that programs can use to support more effective long-term course planning.
Question Can January Term be brought back in the future if enough people request it?: Answer
No. January Term has been formally concluded, and the University will not plan for its return.

The University has adopted a finalized three-year academic calendar beginning in Fall 2026, and academic acceleration opportunities will now be centered in Summer Term programming rather than an interim January session.

This decision is reflected in the approved 2026–2029 academic calendar structure.
Question Will students be required to enroll in summer courses?: Answer
No. Summer enrollment is optional, as it has traditionally been. However, summer will serve as the primary pathway for students who wish to:

• Accelerate their degree completion
• Reduce their course load during fall and spring
• Graduate on an earlier timeline

With the removal of January Term, students who previously relied on that option for early graduation will instead need to plan for summer coursework in consultation with advisors and program schedules.

The calendar provides a stable 8-week Summer Term, with optional 4-week sessions, to support this planning. Students can complete their degrees fully within fall and spring; summer is an opportunity, not a requirement.
Question Where can I find the finalized calendar?: Answer
The approved 2026–2029 Academic Calendar is linked here and will serve as the institutional calendar for long-term planning purposes.