How to take summer classes and be sure to get credit for them

Registration for the fall semester is upon us.

Are you realizing that you have far too many classes to take if you want to graduate on time? If so, consider summer classes as an easy way to fix that problem.

Taking summer classes is not as difficult a process as many would think.

According to assistant registrar Alison Berstecher, because Eastern does not offer summer classes for undergraduates, the most important aspect of taking summer classes is to get prior approval from the registrar before applying for any summer classes at an accredited college or university.

Berstecher said that is best for students to get approval for summer classes before they leave for the summer. This makes it less of a hassle for both the student and the registrar’s office.

What follows is a list of what each student should do when trying to take summer classes:

-Students should discuss their options with their adviser.

-If taking a 100 level course, students should fill out the necessary paperwork. This paperwork can be found in the registrar’s office or filed electronically on the registrar’s website. Go to www.eastern.edu/academic/registrar/appl_course.shtml.

-Students who want to take a 200 level or higher class should fill out the blue form in the registrar’s office. Be aware; taking these classes also requires permission from the department head.

-Students must make sure that the classes they wish to take are offered at an accredited two-year, four-year or online institution.

-Attach a class description to the form so the registrar can determine its comparable class at Eastern.

-Submit these items to the registrar and allow three to four days for processing.

Also note that students cannot take INST classes at another institution. Additionally, students cannot take graduate classes, and Eastern’s agreement with Rosemont, Cabrini and Villanova is not available for summer classes.

Once students receive approval from the registrar, they can successfully get credit for their summer classes.

After completing their classes, students must remember to tell the institution they attended to send transcripts to Eastern. This insures that students get credit for their summer classes. Do not assume that the institutions will automatically send the transcript, because they most likely will not.

When transferring summer classes, a nice aspect is that students will see the actual letter grade they received on the E-Net. It will not just show that they passed or failed it.

Overall, taking summer classes can help students catch up on credit hours. To graduate, students need to complete at least 121 credits. That means students need to take at least seven semesters of 15 credits and one semester of 16 credits to graduate in the standard four years.

See page 78 of Eastern’s Student Handbook for more information or contact Alison Berstecher at aberstec@eastern.edu or x5856.

Information from student handbook and Alison Berstecher.