Your Questions Answered

8-week terms are designed to give you more flexibility and momentum. With six terms each year, you can focus on fewer subjects at a time while still making progress year-round. The format is fully asynchronous, with no required live class meetings, so you can complete coursework on your schedule. Many students also find the shorter format helps them stay engaged and keep moving toward their goals.

There are no required live meetings. Some instructors may offer optional live sessions (e.g., office hours, reviews).

8-week courses are designed in an accelerated format, not a reduced one. Students focus on fewer subjects at a time in a more immersive format. In addition, 8-week courses cover the same learning objectives as traditional 16-week courses and have been designed in a way to allow students to successfully complete the work in an accelerated format.

8-week courses may feel faster-paced because the work is completed in a shorter time frame, but ODUGlobal has built support around that format. Students focus on fewer courses at a time, and they have access to advising and 24/7 tutoring. 

Courses use a mix of asynchronous activities—discussions, projects, quizzes, reflections—plus clear milestones and feedback cycles. Some courses may use proctored exams or authentic assessments aligned to outcomes.

No. ODU credentials remain the same. Course quality and academic rigor are equivalent to traditional timelines.

Your ideal course load depends on your personal, work, and family commitments. Many students find that taking 1–2 courses per 8-week session provides a good balance between progress and manageability. If you plan to enroll full time (6 credits per 8-week term), a common approach is to take two courses in the first 8-week session and two in the second 8-week session. Your Student Success Advisor can help you determine a course schedule that fits your lifestyle and keeps you on track toward your degree.

Yes—many students do. The key is a balanced plan. Your advisor will help you select the right course load and apply time-management strategies.

Yes. With two 8-week sessions each fall, spring, and summer semester, you can start or restart classes at six points during the academic year—August, October, January, March, May, and July. That gives you more opportunities to begin or continue without losing momentum.

Yes, we know life happens! ODUGlobal’s 8-week format includes six terms each year, with two sessions in fall, two in spring, and two in summer. That gives students more entry points throughout the year to begin, pause, or begin again.

Register as early as you can so you have the best chance of building a balanced schedule with your advisor. Your Student Success Advisor will work closely with you to create manageable course loads and help you stay on track.

Your advisor can help you map out a personalized plan—including course load, start dates, and graduation timeline.

Absolutely. Expect weekly modules, milestone calendars, timely faculty feedback, and proactive outreach if you start to slip.

Reach out right away. You’ll have access to 24/7 tutoring, faculty office hours, globaladvocacy@odu.edu, and advisors who can problem-solve quickly.

Courses are designed to be accessible from the start. For formal accommodations, submit a request with documentation to the Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA). 

Students should register for courses as early as possible, even if a desired instructor is not listed. Instructors are generally added to the course schedule about three weeks prior to the start of each term as instructors are added based on course enrollment. 

Eligibility is determined by your overall enrollment across the semester, not by the length of each 8-week term. Aid and benefits are applied across both sessions within a semester. Your enrollment counselor and our financial aid team will help you understand your details. 

With the new 8-week terms, ODUGlobal moved to the Borrower Based Academic Year financial aid model. This means the financial aid year is more flexible than the traditional model and aid is also available in the summer.

A small number of courses may follow a different timeline to meet external requirements. Reach out to your advisor or program director for specifics to determine if an exception applies.

Yes, online doctoral courses and a limited number of internships, licensure and practicum courses will continue in the 16-week term.