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Date 5-23-06
Contact Shelia White 228.865.4573
Author Jason Sherwood
GULFPORT—The
University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Student Service
Center remains alive and vibrant during its intersession schedule,
offering short-term mini session courses. Students can take advantage
of these courses as a quick and effective route to college credit
and a feasible path towards a quality educational experience.
“Mini sessions
allow students to spread a semester’s worth of load out over a little
bit longer period of time,” said Dr. Lin Harper, coordinator of
the Office of Distance Education and Alternative Learning.
“The student
might normally take 15 hours in a typical semester. They can take
three in a mini session course and 12 over the semester. Especially
with the summer schedule that’s a great advantage.”
Harper says
mini sessions appeal to both full-time students and working professionals.
She says adults not normally taking semester classes find the courses
“doable” and interesting. Mini session courses are offered at both
the Hattiesburg and Gulf Coast campuses.
The weeklong
sessions offer intense course work in a shorter amount of time.
While some may question the integrity of the shorter course work,
students and faculty say mini sessions are actually more effective
in their education. Students, after taking Dr. Jeannette Bolte’s
Behavioral Psychology mini session course, described the class as
“fulfilling” and “enriching.”
“Since the course
has been condensed, I feel like I’ve gotten more out of it,” said
Diane Brunette. “You really don’t hold on to as much information
when you go once a week as compared to going all day everyday for
a week.”
“Dr. Bolte
was very structured. There wasn’t a lot of busy work. Everything
was very intense and focused,” said student Sandra Salbage.
Dr. Harper says
the university has plans to expand intersession courses in the future.
With promotional plans lined up, she expects more students to begin
taking advantage of the offerings.
To find out
more about mini session courses, go to www.usm.edu/deal/
or call 228.865.4500.
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