Bakersfield College is offering all the required courses for certain majors in 8-week
options! Students in these majors can split their semester into two 8-week sessions
instead of having to take one long 16 week semester. This allows you to focus on just
two or three classes at a time during each 8-week period while maintaining your full-time
status throughout the semester. Sample schedule:
Fall Semester
First 8 Weeks
Second 8 Weeks
ENGL B1A (3)
CRIM B1 (3)
PSYC B1A (3)
COMM B1 (3)
CRIM B2 (3)
Total Units: 15
This scheduling model gives you added flexibility when planning out your semester,
and especially benefits students who cannot commit to an entire 16 weeks for their
coursework. This includes: students who arrive to BC late in the semester, students
with seasonal jobs, students with planned extended absences during either half of
the semester, and many more.
To stay on track to earn your degree in two years, students are encouraged to take
15 units per semester. As an alternative, students can take 12 units per semester
and 2 additional courses during the summer session. In terms of maximum allowable
semester units, a student in good standing can take a maximum of 19 units per semester.
Yes, students are able to combine 8-week and 16-week courses in the same semester.
For example, students can take two classes during the first 8-week session, another
two classes during the second 8-week session, and one class throughout the entire
16-week semester.
To stay on track to earn your degree in two years, students are encouraged to take
15 units per semester. As an alternative, students can take 12 units per semester
and 2 additional courses during the summer session. Full-time status for financial
aid is achieved by taking at least 12 units in a long semester (combination of 16-week,
first 8-week, and second 8-week classes).
You will register for 16-week, first 8-week, and second 8-week classes at the same
time during the semester registration period.
Since these days will vary for each class and from semester to semester, check the
course information for each class on InsideBC.
The units for your classes will not change.
No. To stay on track to earn your degree in two years, students are encouraged to
take 15 units per semester. As an alternative, students can take 12 units per semester
and 2 additional courses during the summer session. To maintain full-time status throughout
the semester for Financial Aid, take a total of 12 units, which can be done by any
combination of 16-week, first 8-week, and second 8-week classes.
The tuition payment deadline will not change for 8-week classes. You will still be
required to pay (or make payment plans) for classes within 10 days after registering.
As long as students register for all their classes (including classes in the second
8-week session) before the Financial Aid freeze date, their Financial Aid will not
be affected. Students who make changes to their schedule after the freeze date will
not have their Financial Aid adjusted. Please visit the Financial Aid website for
freeze dates for each semester, and be sure to meet with out Financial Aid technician
for more information.
Yes, VA benefits might be affected for students taking 8 week classes. Students are
encouraged to meet with the veterans advisor for more information.
