Summer 2024 registration begins Monday, April 1, and classes begin May 28. Find your registration date or apply now.

8-Week Classes at ACC

8-Week Classes

Get the most out of your college semester with 8-week courses. This shortened format provides the same excellent curriculum condensed into only eight weeks. The flexible class formats are available both online and in-person and allow you to get the same amount of credit hours, even while taking fewer classes at one time.

More flexibility in your schedule means you can:

  • Open up your semester plan by taking your important prerequisites early.
  • Focus on completing condensed General Education classes.
  • Take core curriculum course sequences back-to-back. For instance, History 1301 in the first eight-week session followed by History 1302 in the second eight-week session.
  • Remain eligible for financial aid benefits.
  • Starting new in fall 2023, begin or continue your course work as a Business Administration major by taking eight-week classes at Northridge Campus.

Benefits of an 8-Week Class

Students taking 8-week classes get focused learning in a format that’s flexible to fit busy schedules. If you are looking for a way to complete classes quickly, accelerated classes help you finish in half the time.

Fall / Spring Semester Summer
8-Week Schedule 8-Week Session I
2 Classes (3 credits each)
8-Week Session II
2 Classes (3 credits each)
8-Week Session
2 Classes (3 credits each)
Traditional Schedule 16-Week Session
4 classes  (3 credits each)
Off for Summer

Splitting your semester in half is a great way to stay on track and meet your goals. Take control of your schedule by browsing available 8-week classes and other course formats.

8-week classes are available in a variety of subjects, including Pre-Health Sciences, Communication Studies, and Business Administration. These 8-week courses may be taken online or in-person.

Northridge Campus: Home of 8-Week Classes

ACC's Northridge Campus is now home to 8-week classes. While you can enroll in 8-week classes at other campuses and even online, you can experience an entire semester of 8-week classes entirely at Northridge. 

Earn a Transfer-Ready Business Administration Degree with an Accelerated 8-Week Plan at ACC Northridge

Northridge Campus has launched a full 8-week degree plan! ACC students can earn their Associate of Science in Business Administration by following a specially designed degree program made up entirely of 8-week classes.

Get Started!

Contact your program representative for assistance in building an 8-week schedule perfect for your program map!

Contact Info for 8-Week Classes

Program Degree or Certificate Location Contact Email Phone Number
Accounting Technician Certificate Online Reed Peoples rpeoples@austincc.edu 512-223-4757
Business Administration Degree Northridge Campus Lorlie Ellis lorlie.ellis@austincc.edu 512-223-4114
Communication Studies Degree Online Risé Lara ladori.lara@austincc.edu 512-223-4545
General Studies in Arts Degree Round Rock Campus/Hybrid Matthew Daude Laurents mdaude@austincc.edu 512-223-2630
Pre-Health Sciences Degree Round Rock Campus David Fonken fonken@austincc.edu 512-223-7346

Financial aid questions for 8-week classes should be addressed to the Financial Aid Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do 8-week courses offer the same semester credits as 16-week classes?
    • Yes, if a class is offered in the 8-week format, full credit hours will be awarded.
  • What courses work best in the 8-week format?
    • ACC offers many courses from multiple areas of study in the 8-week format, including general studies and classes for specific program maps. Get in touch with the representative for your program, degree, or certificate in the above table for advice and assistance in building an 8-week schedule perfect for your program map!
  • Can I take multiple 8-week courses back to back in one semester?
    • Yes! When registering for classes, you can choose an 8-week session that begins at the start of the semester, and at the midpoint, meaning you can “double up” on classes by enrolling in two of these separate sessions back to back.
  • Do I have to take multiple 8-week classes to fill all 16 weeks of the semester?
    • No, you can choose to schedule your 8-week classes at the beginning of the semester or start classes in the middle of the semester to fit your schedule.
  • Would I be considered “full time” even if I take fewer courses at a time?
    • As long as you take a total of 12 credit semester hours during the 16-week semester, you will be considered a full-time student at ACC. Students with limited room for classes during the week take one or two 8-week courses at a time to reach full-time status.
  • Where do I go to see what classes are available in the 8-week format?
  • Can I take 8-week classes and 16-week classes during the same semester?
    • Yes, you can choose classes with different session lengths, including 8-week classes, 16-week classes, and more. Visit ACC’s Online Course Schedule to view upcoming classes by session length and start date.
  • When do I pay for 8-week classes?
  • Are there different dates to register, drop, or withdraw from an 8-week class?
  • Will my financial aid be affected by taking an 8-week class?
    • As long as you take a total of 12 credit semester hours during the 16-week semester, you will be considered a full-time student at ACC and will receive full time financial aid benefits. Financial aid questions for 8-week classes should be addressed to the Financial Aid Office.