Finish in Just 8 Weeks!
Focused. Flexible. Fast.
Focused Classes are designed to offer greater schedule flexibility while maximizing focus and increasing retention.
Focused Classes
Focused Classes
RETENTION
Reducing simultaneous classes increases information retention – and the accelerated pace helps keep you engaged.
FLEXIBILITY
More flexibility for family or work commitments. And, many classes are strategically scheduled at the Canyon Country campus.
SPEED
Finish classes faster! Focused Classes allow you to start a class when you’re ready rather than at the start of a semester.
Eight-week classes give part-time students the opportunity to focus on one to two courses at a time while completing more classes each semester. They can also take advantage of 8-week courses offered during the summer term to maintain their academic momentum.
Full-time students can enroll in the same number of units each semester but spread out over two 8-week terms. They can also take advantage of short-term courses offered during the winter and summer terms for additional learning opportunities each year.
Financial aid is awarded based on how many units you take each semester. To be eligible for financial aid, students should register for both 8-week terms in a given semester at the same time. For example, you should register for both Fall 1 and Fall 2 to maintain the equivalent of a full-time credit load.
Register for classes through MyCanyons during your registration appointment, or during open registration. New and returning students will need to reapply. Be sure to register for both 8-week terms at the same time when enrolling for fall or spring. This will help keep you on track for the most efficient course sequence to complete your program. Plus, registering for both 8-week terms at the same time ensures that you have enough units to stay eligible for financial aid.
Yes, in an 8-week course you can expect to spend the same amount of total class time as in a traditional 16-week course. This can happen through more online work and/or longer individual class meeting times.
Since 8-week classes cover the same content that might be covered in a typical 16-week class, the courses will be paced more efficiently and require greater time commitment. However, since you are taking fewer classes at the same time in a focused semester, the workload should feel more manageable because you will have fewer courses to concentrate on at one time.
Yes. In fact, this format was designed with part-time students in mind. By taking fewer classes at the same time, part-time students can focus their limited time on those classes, increasing their chances of successfully passing the classes. By taking two classes during each 8-week session, students will still be able to complete four classes in a semester.
Yes. Students will still be able to choose between 8-week or 16-week classes, based on their preferred learning style. Some classes will continue to be offered only in the 16-week format, including some STEM courses and health occupation programs with clinicals.
High school students should meet with their high school counselors to decide if 8-week courses are suitable for them. Please follow the link for information on College NOW! and Concurrent Enrollment, which provide high school students the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses.
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To find out if Focused Classes are right for you, be sure to consult with a counselor before registering.
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"I balance work and school, so short-term courses are more convenient."
– College of the Canyons Student
Fall 2023 Student Survey