Summer classes in grad school? / Start dates?

[futureapppsy2]

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Does anyone else's program require them to take summer classes? Mine requires summer classes and/or practica every year, but I know the clinical program at my undergrad didn't require this, so I'm wondering if it's uncommon or not.

Also, when do you all start classes, especially fellow incoming first years? We don't start until August 30th, which seems a bit late to me.

 

[GreenPsych]

Also, when do you all start classes, especially fellow incoming first years? We don't start until August 30th, which seems a bit late to me.

During a previous Masters program (unrelated to psych) we started on the Tuesday after Labor Day every single year (so about Sept. 4th or so). The semester would run 13 weeks with 2 "reading weeks" (basically weeks without classes to read and write papers etc). We had time off from very early December until very late January after the Fall. The semester ended in late April/early May in the Spring and if you didn't need Summer classes you had 4 full months off! It was a really sweet schedule in my opinion. However, I don't think this is the norm.

 

[PsychApps2009]

Does anyone else's program require them to take summer classes? Mine requires summer classes and/or practica every year, but I know the clinical program at my undergrad didn't require this, so I'm wondering if it's uncommon or not.

Also, when do you all start classes, especially fellow incoming first years? We don't start until August 30th, which seems a bit late to me.

I could be wrong, I'll find out next week during orientation, but I think my clinical phd program has summer classes as well. I'm not sure why this is; I know other programs don't necessarily have classes over the summer. It looks, though, as if pretty much all of my course requirements will be completed by end of second year.

We start Aug. 23rd. From what I know, that's pretty normal compared to other public/state universities. I would compare to the schools around your geographical region specifically though. Granted, for me it feels pretty early. My undergrad used to start mid-late September.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Does anyone else's program require them to take summer classes? Mine requires summer classes and/or practica every year, but I know the clinical program at my undergrad didn't require this, so I'm wondering if it's uncommon or not.

Also, when do you all start classes, especially fellow incoming first years? We don't start until August 30th, which seems a bit late to me.

You won't have summers off....whether you have classes, practica, or research, you'll be busy.

 

[futureapppsy2]

You won't have summers off....whether you have classes, practica, or research, you'll be busy.

Oh, I definitely wasn't expecting to have summers "off" so much as I was just surprised by the amount of formal coursework offered/expected in the summer, as opposed to "just" summer research and practica. Not complaining, just commenting. 🙂

 

[nycegurl]

I'm about to start a counseling psych program, and classes start on Sept.9 which is surprisingly late. My undergrad usually started a week before labor day but maybe it had something to do with being a state university..? As for summer classes, it seems optional but in that "you-should-do-it-if-you-don't-want-to-fall-behind" way so I know that next summer I'll be taking 3 classes.

 

[tpink]

I'm starting classes this coming Monday, and my program requires summer courses. However, in my MA program we usually started the last week of August, and summer courses were not required.

 

[TenaciousGirl]

We aren't required to take summer courses or practica, but it's encouraged and a lot of students do just that. I decided to do practica over the summer but I don't think there's any way I could have done summer classes, too. BTW- my school starts Aug 30. Last year school start the end of august, too.

 

[elphaba]

I'm an incoming first year in a clinical Phd program..... I'm not actually sure about summer classes yet (I know we're obviously expected to be here working on research and possibly teaching as well, but I don't know if we actually take any classes). My department, though I'm already loving the people, is verrrryyy slow and "casual" about getting details to us. Case in point: we start on August 23rd and will find out what classes we're taking this fall and register for said classes at the orientation on the 20th. Crazy-making for this little neurotic planning girl!!!! 😉

 

[deleted176373]

Our summers are research and summer practica only... no classes, and thus less busy, but still engaged and locked on.

Mark

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Our program starts up on the 23rd, although I've been done with my classes for a few years now, so it doesn't actually affect my schedule at all. Sigh.

As for your other question, last I checked, our program required "continuous" (i.e., year-round) enrollment during at least one year, although nearly everyone I know takes practicum hours through the summer every year. Beyond that, faculty will sometimes offer "special" summer classes that aren't on the books during the spring/fall, and I've used the time to take a few non-psych classes as well (e.g., medical terminology).

And because the parking lots are a LOT less crowded during the summer, it's a great time to get necessary on-campus work finished up.

 

[krisrox]

I wasn't going to respond to this thread, but then I realized that I have a lot more class-related work than most people on the forum. I have classes year-round all the time. When I'm done with classes, I'm expected to enroll in clinical and research hours or TA/instruct. I never thought about it any other way.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I have classes year-round all the time. When I'm done with classes, I'm expected to enroll in clinical and research hours or TA/instruct.

Yep, same here.

 

[PrisonPsych]

We're year-round too.