Quarter is an academic term that typically lasts 10 to 12 weeks.
How it works
The institution schedules three main quarters. Students register for quarter credits. Aid is disbursed each quarter for eligible students. At the end of the quarter, grades and credits are posted. A student who completes 15 quarter credits in each of three quarters accumulates 45 quarter credits, roughly equivalent to 30 semester credits.
Example: an online program uses the quarter system. A student enrolls in three 5-credit courses (15 quarter credits) in the fall quarter and is full-time. The same pattern repeats in winter and spring. When the student later transfers to a semester-based institution, the 45 quarter credits are evaluated as approximately 30 semester credits.
How it differs
A semester is longer and an academic year contains two main terms. Trimester calendars also use three terms but the terms are usually longer than quarters. Credit-hour value differs: one quarter credit is not equal to one semester credit.
Common errors
Treating quarter credits and semester credits as interchangeable without conversion. Assuming a 12-quarter-credit load is identical in workload to a 12-semester-credit load. Miscounting the number of payment periods in an academic year when moving between calendar systems.
References
- 1. IPEDS calendar system definitionsQuarter as calendar type
- 2. Credit-hour conversion guidanceQuarter-to-semester conversion
Quarter is an academic term that typically lasts 10 to 12 weeks.