Semester Conversion - Questions and Answers
In August 1998, the University System of Georgia will convert to the semester system. This document addresses some of the questions about the transition.
What is the difference between a quarter system and a semester system?
Within the University System the quarter system divides the year into three 10 week periods between September and June, and a summer session. The semester system will divide the year into fall and spring semesters, each 15 weeks, plus an 8 week summer session and two 5 week summer sessions. Fall semesters will begin in mid-August and end in mid-December. Spring semesters will begin in early January and end in early May. The first 5 week summer session will begin in late May, the 8 week summer session will begin in early June, and the second 5 week summer session will begin in late June.
What are the advantages of a semester calendar?
The main academic advantage is that the pace of the semester system is less hectic than that of the quarter system. You will have more time to absorb material taught in courses and more time to work on projects and papers.
Will the credit value of courses change under the semester system?
On the quarter system, nearly all of the courses carry five hours credit. On the semester system, most courses will carry three hours credit, with a few carrying four hours credit.
How many credits will be required for graduation?
Most majors will require 120 semester credits for the bachelor's degree and 36 credits for the master's degree. In order to earn a bachelor's degree on the quarter system, students must complete 185 credits with a least a 2.0 grade point average. On the semester system, that requirement becomes a minimum of 120 credits with at least a 2.0 grade point average.
Will the conversion to semesters delay my graduation?
Conversion to the semester system will not delay your graduation. However, you should keep in mind that changing majors or having to repeat courses may delay your graduation date, just as it would on the quarter system.
If I begin on the quarter system and finish on the semester system, will I lose credits?
You will not lose credits; whatever you earned on the quarter system will be converted to semester credits.
How will my quarter hour credits be converted to semester system credits?
Since 120 credits required for a semester system bachelor's degree is roughly two-thirds of 185 quarter credits required for the bachelor's degree, your quarter credits will be converted to semester credits by multiplying your quarter credits by two-thirds. (Use the Conversion Calculator to perform a conversion online.)
How many courses will I take in a typical semester?
In order to complete a bachelor's degree in four years, you should complete 30 semester hours per year. This is the equivalent of 15 semester hours, or five courses, per semester.
How will classes be structured under the semester system?
Under the quarter system, five hour courses meet five hours per week. Under the semester system three hour courses will meet three hours per week and four hour courses four hours per week. Classes will typically be scheduled for an hour per day on a M/W/F basis, or 1.5 hours per day on a M/W or TU/TH basis.
How many credits will be required for full-time status?
Full-time status for undergraduates will be 12 hours. Full-time status for graduate students will be 9 hours.
How will classification of students be determined on the semester system?
The following system will be used to determine student classification:
Freshman................................................29 hours or less
Sophomore.........................................30 through 59 hours
Junior ..............................................60 through 89 hours
Senior................................................90 hours and above
If I am in the middle of a two or three-quarter sequence of courses, how will I complete it on the semester system?
Whenever possible, you should complete all sequences you have begun on the quarter system while you are on the quarter system. If you see that you are not going to be able to complete a sequence on the quarter system, you may want to consider delaying beginning the sequence until the conversion to semesters is made. If you have already begun a sequence and are unable to complete it , you should contact your academic advisor to determine your proper course of action.
How can I retake a course in the semester system after failing it in the quarter system?
Each quarter system course will have a semester system course that is equivalent for this purpose.
If a quarter system course is phased out or no longer required under the semester system, will the credits earned in that course still count toward graduation?
Yes. You will receive credit for all courses taken on the quarter system, and for the completion of requirements that existed in the quarter system.
How will credits transferred from other colleges be counted?
Credits transferred from institutions on the quarter system will be converted to semester credits via the previously mentioned two-thirds ratio. Credits transferred from institutions on the semester system will remain as semester credits.
How will advanced-placement credits be counted on the semester system?
If you have advanced placement credits in place, they will be converted from quarter to semester credits via the two-thirds ratio.
If I am enrolled during the transition, how will I know what my graduation requirements will be?
Consult with your academic advisor. Generally speaking, you will be required to complete the semester course equivalent of the quarter courses that were required, but not completed.
How will I know what my semester requirements are?
Your academic advisor will continue to advise you on degree completion requirements. The advisement/registration procedure will not change.
How will the transition to semesters affect my financial aid?
Financial aid recipients should notice no change in the amount of financial aid they receive annually. Annual amounts of financial aid should remain the same, but will be divided into two semester payments rather than three quarter payments.
Will class size increase as a result of semester conversion?
There may be some larger classes because of changes in enrollment patterns, changes in the scheduling of courses, or changes in departments' instructional models. On the other hand some classes may be smaller.
What can I do to prepare for semester conversion?
If you are close to graduation, make every reasonable attempt to complete your degree prior to the conversion to semester system. If you cannot finish under the quarter system, make every attempt to complete all sequences of courses on the quarter system or delay beginning sequences until the conversion has taken place. It would also be a good idea to delay electives and required courses that do not have to be taken in sequence until the semester conversion has taken place. Finally, consult with your academic advisor regarding questions you might have.
last updated: November 21, 1997