March 4, 2024

Dear Rams:

The countdown is on to Spring Break and we know you are ready for the time off from classes. But as you look ahead to next week, we encourage you to keep CSU Summer Session on your mind. With more than 1,700 course sections, the shorter and tiered terms allow you to focus deeply on fewer classes.

Registration for Summer Session opens in RAMweb on Tuesday, March 19, the first official day of spring. Our campuses are beautiful in the summertime but in case you need more incentive, summer classes offer these advantages:

  • Graduate early or accelerate your time to graduation – even one or two classes can help.
  • Earn credits over a shorter duration – Summer Session offers 4, 8 and 12-week terms and other terms of varying lengths in person and online.
  • Enjoy smaller classes, fewer waitlists – some students do better in smaller classes and feel more connected to their peers and instructors.
  • Take advantage of the financial benefits – financial aid is available for summer and non-resident undergraduate base tuition is reduced by 30% over the summer. Additionally, campus jobs are plentiful and flexible for students who need summer employment.
  • Add research or other credentials to your resume – research opportunities are numerous in summer. Students are encouraged to talk with their academic advisor/academic support coordinator, instructors, and/or a student ambassador in the Office for Undergraduate Research and Artistry to explore summer research options including at the Spur Campus. There also is more time for an internship or a field course.
  • Enjoy expanded learning opportunities at the CSU Mountain Campus – explore the world at 9,000 feet where the mountains are your classrooms. Here’s a list of summer courses at the Mountain Campus.

Summer classes benefit all students academically – research shows all students, and particularly those on academic probation, have positive associations with summer enrollment and student success. Fewer classes over shorter terms can help students focus more deeply on course work and improve their overall GPA.

Congratulations on completing these first few weeks of the semester and enjoy your Spring Break. Whether you are working, vacationing, or staying put next week, keep Summer Session in mind for what’s next on your learning journey!

Sincerely,

Marion K. Underwood
Provost and Executive Vice President

Anne Van Arsdall
Director of CSU Summer