Quarters to Semesters; Old School to make a Big Change?

Photo By: Sean Rossmeissl

There have been discussions within Santa Clara University about switching from the quarter system to the semester system.  The quarter system, which the University has been on since its inception in 1851, lays out a schedule which revolves around three 10-week segments of classes, with students usually taking four classes each quarter.  On the other hand, the semester system consists of two 15-week segments of classes, with students commonly taking five classes each semester. 

This is a common trend in American Universities.  Only about 5% of American Universities still use the quarter system, which is down from 13% in 1991, according to The American Economic Association. 

It is a completely different style of learning.  The quarter system offers a condensed learning style which allows students to take more classes in their college career.  Santa Clara University prides itself on its Jesuit education style, which requires students to explore the arts, humanities, and sciences, according to the University’s website. 

The Jesuit aspect of the school might be something that imposes its ability to switch: "It restricts us in some ways” said Erta Hoxha, the Associated Student Government student body vice president. “It's tough to change to semester system because of the core classes, and those mostly exist because we are Jesuit.”  

The University’s Jesuit background may be making it hard to switch, but the deeper problem seems to be rooted in the way the core curriculum requirements were designed: "There are other schools on Semester system that are Jesuit", said Ryan Rani, the ASG student body president.

In fact, of the 27 Jesuit universities in America—which comprise most of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities—Santa Clara University and Seattle University are the only two that are not on the semester system.  

Students on the quarter system begin summer break much later than semester students. Many argue this puts quarter system students behind: "You miss out on many summer jobs and opportunities," said Teresa McCollough, the Faculty Senate president.  Switching to the semester system would put students on the same schedule as most other students, giving them more equalized opportunities. 

Ed Ryan, vice provost to the newly appointed provost—James Glaser, says that the provost plans on beginning discussions shortly: "He wants to engage in a process of review and discussion. He sees opportunities and wants the University to explore,” said Ryan. “We will be launching a process in the winter to explore those opportunities."

Of the six schools that make up Santa Clara University, three offer undergraduate degrees.  These schools all encompass different majors, in which curricula differ.

The Faculty Senate took up this issue in a recent meeting: "My observation was that people have different points of view about the issue depending on the school or discipline in which they teach,” said McCollough.

McCollough is also a professor in the University’s music department, and she supports the change to semesters. McCollough said "it would allow students more time to learn music and gain a deeper understanding of the material they are studying."

Another reason for a switch to the semester system might be more flexibility in terms of study abroad programs. Due to the way the quarter system is designed, students interested in studying abroad must go in the fall quarter to avoid missing two-thirds of the school year. California Polytechnic State University is making the change from quarters to semesters in 2026, and cite both summer internships and study abroad as main reasons.

Brady Galiotto, a student at Gonzaga University, prefers the semester system.  Galiotto transferred to Gonzaga, a Jesuit school on the semester system, from Santa Clara University after his first year: "I feel like the classes went too quick and weren't as in depth as my semester system classes," said Galiotto. 

Community colleges are an interesting case and raise further questions about comparisons between systems.  According to the Community College Research Center, many community college attendees are either employed or parents, and the semester system doesn’t offer the leniency and availability that the quarter system does. 

Trident Technical College in South Carolina switched to semesters in 1992 and saw its course pass rates go from 77% in 1991 to 62% in 2014. "The shorter the term, the more successful the student," said Mary Thornley, Trident College’s former president. 

Regardless of student, faculty, and administration opinions on the switch, the cost of such a venture will undoubtedly be a factor: "Any move is expensive, in terms of labor, bursar, etc,” said Ryan. “The challenge is the amount of work. Usually, it’s about a two-to-three-year process.”