January Term

The faculty of January Term (Jan Term) is drawn from all departments of the college and the broader academic community.

January Term provides both students and faculty a unique opportunity to explore courses and experiences that depart from the
constraints of the regular semester; both students and faculty are freed from their disciplinary constraints to create new and innovative academic experiences.

January Term offers both on-campus courses and off-campus travel courses throughout the United States and to many parts of the globe (some scholarships are available to defray travel costs for eligible students).

Providing the same academic rigor and credit as the fall and spring terms, many January Term courses also emphasize experiential learning through service, community-based research and on-site learning relevant to the region.

January Term is a unique Saint Mary’s program that showcases intensive courses of study: since students enroll in only one course per January Term, faculty members expect more and tend to increase the pace of instruction, as well as requiring broader reading, more reflection and careful writing, more thorough class preparation and greater individual initiative.

Four January Term courses are required of most students; transfer students are required to take one January Term course for each year of full-time academic residency.

Sample Jan Term courses (actual course offerings vary each year) and can be found in the January Term catalog.