Overview of 7-Week Blocks
As of Spring 2025, most Ensign College campus courses are 7-week block courses, with two blocks in each semester. Students benefit from the opportunity to focus on fewer topics at a time.
Why Did We Change?
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.
How It Works
Instead of taking 4-6 semester-long courses, full-time students 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, still meet for 14 weeks. These classes still have the week-long break.
- Institute courses have been broken 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.

How Classes Are Different
Taking only 2-3 courses at a time is less overwhelming than 4-5 semester-long courses. 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 courses is that they have all the same assignments and projects as a 14-week course, just "crammed" into a shorter time frame. This is not how we have structured 7-week courses. Every class and assignment has been redesigned to teach the most important concepts in a 7-week time frame.
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
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.

How to Manage Your Schedule
The best way to manage 7-week blocks is to PLAN AHEAD.
- Talk to your advisor to determine which courses you need to take.
- Use your Grad Plan to plan your next few years.
- Make sure you don't have any holds that would block registration.
- Register for your courses as soon as registration opens.
Some courses are offered only in one block—plan ahead so you don't miss them!
Click the button below to download a list showing when courses are offered for spring and fall semester.
International Students
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.

Student Examples




Yearly Schedule
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.
2025 Block Schedule

Break Dates:
- Between winter and spring semesters: April 14-May 2
- Between spring blocks: June 23-27
- Between spring and fall: August 18-September 1
- Between fall blocks: October 20-24
- Between fall and winter: December 15-January 2, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
To make this easier for you, each institute class is divided into part A and part B. Part A is taught during the first block, and part B is 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 to another school, 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.
Still Have Questions?
Reach out to the 7-Week Block team in the Academic Office at 7weekblockquestions@ensign.edu. We will respond to your questions and add common questions to this website.