In Fall 2023, EPCC’s Mission Del Paso Campus switched to an 8-week format from a traditional 16-week semester. Most 8-week courses are hybrid format with a face-to-face and an online component. Two days are in person and the other days of the week dedicated to online course work.
Eight-week semesters give part-time students the opportunity to attend college on a full-time basis. A student who can take only two classes at a time could do so twice in a single semester by taking two eight-week classes during the first half of the traditional 16-week semester, then taking two more during the semester’s second half. Completing four classes (a total of 12 semester credit hours) in a single semester (still just two classes at a time) classifies a student as full-time and could accelerate the time to graduation with a certificate or degree.
Students at the campus say the experience has been beneficial stating that:
- It helped them avoid the burnout of a long semester
- They felt less overwhelmed with fewer courses to take at the same time
- They had more flexibility for work, family and busy schedules.
This shift in scheduling and course organization has had a dynamic impact. This model was successful because of:
- Intentional course design—consistent weekly modules, clear expectations, and strong hybrid teaching practices keep students engaged and on track.
- Early and proactive student support—faculty and campus staff identify students who need extra assistance quickly and connect them with help before they fall behind.
- Faculty ownership and continuous improvement—Bi-weekly professional development, and regular review of student outcomes by faculty keep the model responsive and sustainable.