Beginning Spring 2025, most Ensign College campus courses will move from the current 14-week semester to two 7-week blocks within a semester. Students will benefit from the opportunity to focus on fewer topics at a time.
The reason for this change is simple: students do better in 7-week blocks. When we talked with other schools that have been using 7-week blocks, we learned that more students complete their courses and graduate on time. We want this for you, too!
Here are a few reasons students do better on the block schedule:
- FOCUSED LEARNING: Concentrate on fewer subjects for deeper understanding.
- FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE: Greater flexibility to fit your schedule and more opportunities to enroll in desired courses throughout the year.
- REDUCED BURNOUT: Experience less stress and burnout with shorter, more manageable academic periods and a week-long break between blocks!
*International students on F1 visas must attend both blocks of each semester in-person.
Instead of taking 4-6 semester-long courses, full-time students will now take 2-3 courses at a time for only seven weeks (maximum of 9 credits per block). Between the blocks is a one-week break.
- A few classes, such as some lab and internship classes, will continue to meet for 14 weeks. These classes still have the week-long break.
- Institute courses will break into A and B blocks.
- Domestic students can enter Ensign at any block and skip a block if needed.
- International students must attend both blocks in a semester in-person to maintain their student visa.

As we transition from the 14-week semester to the 7-week block format, many students have taken block classes and full-semester courses at the same time. We understand that in this case the coursework may feel overwhelming at times. However, this is not what a normal 7-week block will be like. Taking only 2-3 courses at a time will be much easier and less overwhelming. Extensive research has found that students are successful in the 7-week block format, and many prefer it to the 14-week semester.
Restructured Classes
One misconception about 7-week classes is that they have all the same assignments and projects as a 14-week class, just "crammed" into a shorter time frame. This is not how we have structured 7-week classes. Every class and assignment has been redesigned to teach the most important concepts in a 7-week time frame.
The courses that are running now are "pilot" or test courses, where we are testing and refining each course. If you feel that the workload is too high or focuses on busywork, please be sure to share your feedback in the post-course survey. We read every response and use your feedback to improve courses.
Homework Load
Another misconception is that you will have twice as much homework. If you are a full-time student, you will spend the same amount of time in class and doing homework per week as you do now. While you may have more homework per class, you are taking fewer classes. So your total homework per week will be the same.





Adding a week-long break between the blocks will adjust our annual calendar and schedule. We will have a two-week break after winter and spring semesters and a three-week break in December.
We will have the same total number of vacation days, but they will be spread throughout the year.
Blocks will be numbered 1-6 according to the calendar year:

To maintain their status, international students must:
- Register for both blocks before the start of the semester.
- Take at least 12 credits total over the semester. At least 9 credits must be in-person courses (not online). [See Graphic Below]
- A student must be enrolled in at least 6 credits each block.
- At least half of the credits in each block must be in person. For example, they cannot take only an institute course (one credit) in person and one or two online program courses (3-6 credits) in a block.
- Take CPT within one semester. CPT is only authorized within one semester. For example, they cannot have CPT authorization in the second half of fall semester and the first half of winter semester.

To make this easier for you, each institute class will be divided into part A and part B. Part A is taught during the first block and part B will be taught in the second block. For cornerstone classes (REL 200, REL 225, REL 250, and REL 275), it is extremely important that you register for both blocks together.
If you take an elective institute class, you may opt to take either part A or part B. If you want your elective credits to transfer, you need to take both parts.
Scholarships: Many of our scholarships are semester-based. Some will be available to students who begin mid-semester.
International students and students who have received a scholarship must register for both blocks at the same time. Contact the Financial Aid office and International Student office to get more information.