By participating in summer session students have the opportunity to graduate and earn earlier and potentially reduce educational expenses. CSU summer session offers a unique opportunity to focus on one or few courses at a time, making it a great time to complete a challenging course, participate in experiential learning, gain career-based experience, or fulfill a prerequisite.
Three of five students participate in summer session during their CSU journey.
Additional Insights: : Gain career-building skills through research, labs, and field courses. Deepen ties with peers and faculty with on-campus experiences. Take advantage of the summer opportunity to learn at the CSU Mountain Campus. Explore summer Programs for Admitted Students, including Research, Education Abroad and Bridge Scholars.
Easily search courses and learn more about summer financial aid.
Additional insights: Study in person or online and catch up or get ahead on credits. Easily search four-, eight-, 12-week, and additional-length terms, field experiences or internships. Gain new perspectives through in summer experiential learning at the CSU Mountain Campus or with Education Abroad.
Additional insights: A first-generation student, Brisa attended summer session courses with support of the CSU Tuition Assistance Grant available to undergraduate Colorado residents who meet eligibility criteria. She gains career-based experience through her campus work-study job. Earning summer credits is helping Brisa graduate in four years while pursuing a major, minor, and two concentrations. She is looking forward to using her education to help others!
Easily search courses and learn more about summer financial aid.
Additional Insights: : Stay in town with your friends and make new ones this summer while staying on track with your graduation plans. Or try something new or that you’re not good at (yet) that may become a passion!
Carli is practicing the skills featured in this video learned through her CSU minor in American Sign Language. The Intersection mural was created through a summer collaboration of CSU graduate students, artist Armando Silva, and local volunteers through Community Engagement in the Arts.
Summer brings a quiet energy with more time to focus deeply and connect with others. Shorter summer terms create time to study and work with room for play and exploring our beautiful surroundings. Improve your GPA, balance your coursework over fall, spring, and summer, and create a summer experience that is uniquely yours.
Easily search courses and explore insights for success in the short terms of summer session.
Additional insights: Registration for Summer Session 2025 begins Tuesday, March 25, (the Tuesday after Spring Break) on RAMweb and continues on a space-available basis through the add/drop period for each class.
The schedule for in-person, online, and hybrid courses is easy to search by subject, term within summer session, online, and AUCC core classes at Courses at a Glance.
Additional insights: By completing one or two courses each summer, Naeemah stays ahead in credits so she can graduate earlier which can reduce the cost of attendance and provide an opportunity for greater career earnings over time. She receives financial aid through the Department of Athletics and family Veteran Benefits.
Online, in-person, and hybrid courses are easy to search at Courses at a Glance.
Additional insights: The short terms of summer offer opportunities to create a summer experience unique to you. Explore a new or favorite subject and expand your knowledge and skills, while making progress toward graduation.
Nonresident undergraduates pay 30% less for summer base tuition. Summer financial aid is available to students who meet eligibility criteria regardless of residency.
Additional insights: Colleen benefited from CSU’s undergraduate non-resident summer base tuition rate which is reduced 30% from fall and spring semesters. A New Jersey native, she explored life in the Midwest to experience different areas of the United States. Colleen’s CSU coursework prepared her for her internship experience and she was able to gain more from the courses that followed. She learned she wanted to change her area of focus within her major to better suit her career goals.
Additional insights: Aaron chose CSU because the Office of Financial Aid offered him the strongest financial aid package and because a four-week on-campus summer course would allow him to earn credits and then complete his out-of-state military job training. He also received a scholarship through CSU’s Adult Learner and Veteran Services.
Accessible Video Transcript: In-depth student and faculty perspectives on summer session
Additional Insights: Students and faculty provide their perspectives on the unique value of CSU summer session. With in-person and online courses, the condensed summer terms allow an immersive focus on fewer courses and an experience distinct from fall and spring semesters.
Faculty and students alike appreciate the opportunity to connect with each other. They describe creating community and making lifetime memories. Students can take advantage of summer session to gain career-based experience, get caught up on credits or even get ahead and graduate earlier. Additionally, students can meet the challenge of reaching beyond their comfort zone while exploring or discovering a new passion.
Students who take summer courses tend to persist and graduate at higher rates, especially students seeking to improve their GPA or who struggled during their first academic year.
CSU summer session courses are available in terms of four, eight, and 12-week terms and terms of varying lengths. Discover what is possible and easily search courses.
Students who participate in CSU’s summer session generally:
Students should be prepared for the pace of the condensed terms within summer and make a plan for devoting adequate time to their studies.
Discover the educational, financial, and time-saving benefits of summer session, along with the advantages of summer’s shorter terms and accelerated courses and programs.
When students take the recommended 15 credits in both fall and spring semesters, summer session courses may contribute to graduating in four years or less. (Note: credit requirements vary by major).
Changing majors before sophomore year may add one month (on average) to time-to-degree. Nationally, 35% of students change majors after their sophomore year, which can add a full term to their graduation plan. If you’ve made, or are considering a major change, include summer session in your plan to promote timely graduation.
High school students may take classes before their first semester of college. This can help to ease the transition to college life, while earning credits in advance. These students may:
Please note: If admitted as a degree-seeking student beginning with the summer term, the student must attend summer session in order to remain admitted for fall semester.
Summer session can be an integral part of graduating in four years or accelerating time to graduation.
Financial aid may be available in summer for students who meet the eligibility criteria. Half-time enrollment is typically required for financial aid purposes (usually 6 credits for undergraduates; 5 credits for graduate students). Please review Summer Financial Aid, then consult with a counselor in the Office of Financial Aid to determine your specific needs and options.
Accelerated Programs at Colorado State University provide a pathway for students to graduate in 3-3.5 years or less. Graduating earlier allows students to complete their next step in life including career entry or graduate school and may provide financial benefits. Currently offered through 31 programs in five colleges, Accelerated Programs typically include credits taken during summer session. Learn more at Accelerated Programs.
Explore which course delivery formats and combinations work best for your learning preferences and success. Assess the advantages/disadvantages of face-to-face courses and online courses for your situation:
The condensed course formats of summer session’s shorter terms mean a fast start and consistent pace enhance learning.
Students frequently mention they enjoy the condensed course formats because they can:
