8-Week Courses
Take 8
There’s a new way to enroll at SAC and stay on course to graduate on time! Consider the new 8-week term – take a course in half the time.
An 8-week course includes hybrid classes, which includes work both inside the classroom and online.
The 8-week term meets twice a week for 50 to 75 minutes.
Hybrid Flex I classes meet at the beginning of the traditional semester and end eight weeks later. A second Hybrid Flex II term will begin after that and finishes at the end of the semester.
Benefits:
- Be classified as a full-time student.
By taking just two courses at the start of the traditional semester and another two courses in the middle, you will complete 12 hours by the end.
- Have more flexibility with balancing college time with personal time.
The 8-week term can offer a friendlier schedule for work or family.
- Stay on track to complete all your classes.
Students who take classes during an 8-week term have a lower risk of dropping their courses and have a higher chance for completion.
- Stagger the time for mid-terms and finals by taking two courses at a time.
This is more manageable for students who work or have families, etc.
FAQS
What are 8-week courses?
8-week Flex Classes are accelerated courses that cover the amount of content as traditional 16-week classes but meet for a shorter period of time. They may require students to spend additional time online outside of class on assignments, exams, etc.
Benefits of an 8-week course schedule?
- Improved student success—students can focus on fewer classes at once and tend to have higher completion and success rates.
- Ex: Spring 2024—91% of students at SAC that took an 8-week course completed their course successfully.
- Quicker degree completion—Students can complete more classes in a single term by taking some in Flex I and some in Flex II.
- Easier to stay on track with shorter term with assignments and exams.
- Easier to manage 8-week courses working part time or full time and balancing family and outside responsibilities.
How does this affect my financial aid?
- Flex classes do not negatively affect your financial aid. A few things to keep in mind, is that students will get two separate disbursements, one at the beginning of the 8-week Flex I term, and one at the beginning of the 8-week Flex II term.
- If students are interested in receiving loans, students must be attending at least six hours for the semester. Loan disbursements will occur once the student is attending six hours for the overall semester.
See chart below: 
What is an example of an 8 Week Course schedule?
Take one to three classes 8-week Flex I, Take one to three classes 8-week Flex II
How many classes can I take at a time?
It is recommended to take one to three classes at a time.
What modality are 8-week courses offered?
- In person
- Fully online, asynchronous and synchronous
What does a part-time schedule look like?
One to two classes each 8-week term.
What does a full-time schedule look like?
Two to three classes each 8-week term.
Tips for Success:
Try to register for only 8-week classes. This helps to avoid confusion with drop dates, census dates, financial aid, assignment due dates, etc.
Avoid taking more than three classes in an 8-week term. It is recommended to take two at a time.
Testimonials from students:
“Extremely flexible with my personal work schedule I am able to take two classes at a time but take four in total during one semester, so it feels like part time when in reality it is full time.”
“I prefer the 8-week courses, because you are still getting four classes done within the semester, but you are only doing two classes at a time instead of four all at once. It helps you focus better.”
“[8-week courses] have been a lifesaver for me with my degree plan and working.”
Who can I contact about the 8-week model in Academic Success?
Gwyn Hagenbuch, ghagenbuch@alamo.edu and 210-486-0923
Who can I contact about the 8-week model in Advising?
Bonita Amaya bamaya11@alamo.edu and 210-486-0224