Tri-Term Information

As part of CTS’s commitment to making seminary education better for all its students and prospective students, CTS will be moving to three full terms starting in Fall 2022. These terms will commence in the Fall, Winter/Spring, and Summer. Fall and Winter/Spring terms will run for 14 weeks each, while the Summer term will run for 12 weeks.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be required to take classes in all three terms?

No. All required courses will be available in Fall or Spring, so students who still want summers “off” can complete the program.

How often will required courses be offered?

Required courses will be offered at least once each year. They will generally be available in on-campus (aka face-to-face) modalities every other year. Faculty who teach more than one core course who are in residence during the summer currently need to shift their courses in and out of summer – so some core courses in some years may appear only in summer.

Can I speed up my time to finish my degree?

Yes! The main motivation in our move to tri-term is to enable students to move through their degree programs more efficiently.

Will tuition due dates be affected by the change to the Tri-Term?

CTS is changing to a new payment plan model, so dates will change. However, these dates will not be affected by the change to the Tri-Term. For more information, contact Michele Carr at [email protected].

Will registration change with the new Tri-Term?

Students will still be able to register in mid-November for J-Term Intensives, Spring, and May-Intensive Terms. Registration for the Summer and Fall Terms will be earlier–late March instead of mid-April. The usual stipulations will apply. All holds must be resolved before registration. For more information, contact Tina Shelton at [email protected].

Will field placement remain two terms and will it always be fall/spring, or is it possible to complete field ed partly over the summer term?

LM400, the course that accompanies MDiv field placement, will be offered Fall-Spring each year, so that remains the default period for field placements. With the approval of the Director of Theological Field Education, however, students may work out alternative timing for their field work.

How long will each semester be?

Fall and Spring terms are still 14 weeks, plus Reading Week. Summer term is 12 weeks and does not have a Reading Week. J-Term is two weeks, with 2 additional intensive weeks moved to May (a better time to be in Chicago or to be on a study tour!).

Does tri-term mean shorter breaks?

There are breaks after every extended (12- or 14-week) term. The length of your break depends on how many terms you enroll in courses. Please see the extended Academic Calendar for more details.

Does everything happen during the summer, or just courses?

There will be CTS events, e.g. lectures, Wednesday Gatherings, etc. during Summer term. Degree Committees do not meet however, so petitions and other student matters  will be addressed during the Fall and Spring. Four-course and Middler Reviews will continue to take place in Fall and Spring as well, and Capstone Reviews/Commencement only in the Spring. (Note that Commencement will be at the end of April beginning in the 2022-23 school year.)

When will core faculty be teaching?

  • Fall: Crowder, Haldeman, Hwang (2022), Mikva, Moon, Morales, Seo, Stone, Terrell (Not in Residence: Ringer) 
  • Spring: Crowder, Haldeman, Hwang (2023), Morales, Ringer, Seo, Stone, Terrell  (Not in Residence: Moon, Mikva) 
  • Summer: Mikva, Moon, Ringer (Not in Residence: Crowder, Haldeman, Hwang, Morales, Seo, Stone, Terrell) 

What kind of courses will be offered in the summer?

Required courses and electives will be offered, with core and adjunct/affiliated faculty. Modalities may include online, synchronous, hybrid, or flex – everything except a weekly on-campus course. For the course catalogue, please click here.

When can I meet with my advisor?

Your advisor will reach out to meet with you during the terms they are in residence. Together, you will strive to plan ahead for Four-Course, Middler, or other upcoming events in your degree program. Unlike when a professor is on sabbatical, you will not get a substitute advisor when yours is not in residence. (They remain reachable by email in an emergency.)

What about student life activities and spiritual support?
Although it may be quieter in the summer, student groups are welcome to continue meeting and will still receive support in gathering and promoting group activities. There will be some Student Chaplain support available, and the Assistant Director of Student Formation & Community Engagement and the Pastoral Counselor will continue to be available for emotional and spiritual care.

Does this change due dates for applications to CTS and for financial aid?

CTS will continue to have rolling admissions, including a recommended deadline for entry in the Summer term. Important dates are as follows:

  • February 1: PhD Application Deadline
  • February 15: Priority Admission & Merit Scholarships (Summer & Fall) Deadline
  • March 15: Need-based Scholarship Deadline
  • April 1: Recommended Deadline for Summer
  • May 1: Recommended Deadline for Fall
  • December 1: Recommended Deadline for Spring

If I have other questions, where should I go?

  • For questions about financial aid and student loans, contact Ruy DeMagalhaes-Ortegano at [email protected]
  • For questions about registration, contact Tina Shelton at [email protected]
  • For questions about billing, contact Michele Carr at [email protected]
  • For specific questions about your program of study, contact your advisor 

Additionally, you can always reach out to Interim Dean Rachel Mikva at [email protected]