Iowa State's sixth winter session begins Monday, Dec. 22, and concludes on Friday, Jan. 16, another opportunity for continuing undergraduates to complete up to three credits and perhaps catch up or get ahead on their path to graduation. They'll participate in a challenging, four-week term that includes four university holidays.
As of earlier this week, 1,189 students -- approximately 5% of fall undergraduates -- have enrolled across nearly 50 courses, which is comparable to last winter's 53 courses and an enrollment of 1,275. All courses will be delivered online, and some courses will include synchronous components. Juniors and seniors make up nearly three-fourths of winter session students, with first-year and sophomore students accounting for the other one-fourth. Accordingly, more than half of the courses offered this winter are 3000- or 4000-level courses.
Student services across campus will be available during winter break except on the four university holidays: Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1. Office websites should reflect their hours of operation and modality (virtual vs. in-person) so students know when and how to ask for assistance.
Winter term: Students by class level
Class
% of enrolled students
First-year
10%
Sophomore
18%
Junior
31%
Senior
41%
Iowa State's first winter session was the largest, enrolling nearly 2,600 students in December 2020. At five weeks, it also was a longer winter session and, in the pre-vaccine days of the COVID-19 pandemic, students had fewer social and travel options with which to fill their winter break.
Following a three-day holiday weekend at the conclusion of winter session, spring semester begins Tuesday, Jan. 20.
