Five reasons to consider Winter Session at UD
Photos by Evan Krape and Kathy F. Atkinson October 19, 2026
Registration begins Oct. 19
The holidays just around the corner, and winter break will be here before you know it. While the season offers a chance to rest and recharge, it is also an opportunity to make progress toward academic goals.
At the University of Delaware, courses are offered online, hybrid and in person, giving students options that fit learning into their winter plans.
Winter session registration is open until classes begin on Jan. 4, 2027. The five-week session runs until Friday, Feb. 6, 2027.
Here are five reasons to consider enrolling:
1. Create a focused learning experience. Winter session courses cover the same material offered in a traditional semester, but in a condensed format. The accelerated pace requires focus and consistent effort, but is perfect for students who prefer to focus on fewer courses at once. Smaller class sizes also provide more opportunities for individualized learning, depending on the course. “Students enjoy being able to concentrate on just one or two courses during Winter Session, which is a nice break from juggling five or six classes during a regular semester,” said George Irvine, associate provost for online learning and innovation. “If an undergraduate student can take a class in each Winter and Summer session, they can graduate in just three and a half years instead of four.”
2. Make room for future opportunities. Completing requirements during winter session may increase opportunities for students to focus on an internship, an exploratory elective or other academic endeavors in future semesters. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which winter session course(s) fit into their degree plans.
3. Close in on graduation. Winter session is an additional opportunity for students to earn credits outside the traditional fall and spring semesters. Each earned credit hour brings students another step toward completing their degree.
4. Turn setbacks into progress. For students who need to repeat a course or complete an outstanding requirement, winter session is an opportunity to earn credits before the spring semester. “In mechanical engineering, winter courses are significant,” said Heather Doty, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “If a student needs to repeat a course, or if they transfer into the major from another department or school, it can be a challenge to complete the required courses in four years.”
5. Explore other interests. A college education isn’t solely about completing degree requirements. Winter session is the perfect time to explore a subject outside a student’s declared major, try an elective or pursue an interest that they don’t have time to focus on during fall and spring semesters.
Interesting Winter 2027 Courses
Time Travel (PHIL316) — Through philosophy applied to physics and science fiction, explores the connections of time travel to traditional philosophic issues concerning the nature of time, God, free will and personal identity.
World Heritage Sites: Art, Architecture, Material Culture (ARTH323) — Examine UNESCO world heritage sites through close examination of architectural history and material culture studies.
History of Rock (AFRA107) — The study of various styles of rock music; introduction to folk, country, blues, and jazz as predecessors to rock.
Volcanoes and Earthquakes (GEOL108) — Violent geologic activity as illustrated by volcanoes and earthquakes. The nature, causes and origins of volcanic and earthquake activity, their interactions with humans and their potential control.
Social Issues in Sport Through a 30 for 30 Lens (SPTM330) — Through ESPN’s video series and supplementary readings, students will assess how social and cultural factors play out in the sports world, oftentimes revealing values in our society.
Financial Literacy for Life (FINC100) — Budgeting, debt management, investing, taxes, insurance and financial planning for both short- and long-term goals, including modules addressing issues unique to student-athletes such as managing name-image-likeness income, sponsorship contracts and career transitions.
Democracy and Citizenship (POSC499) — Students critically examine, evaluate, and engage with the processes citizens use to impact their societies. Examine expressions of citizenship through civic engagement, volunteerism, and community-based discourses.
Dating Violence and Sexual Assault on College Campuses (WOMS140) — Introduces students to the concepts and skills necessary to understand, recognize, and potentially intervene in and prevent dating violence and sexual assault on college campuses.
Creative Digital Image-making (ART167) — Introduces students to industry-standard digital tools and creative software, equipping them with practical skills to develop compelling visual work that supports their academic studies and projects in their respective majors.
Make the most of winter on campus
Students who plan to hang around campus can make time for fun too. Take a study break at the Fred Rust Ice Arena or a UD sporting event.
Winter session is also a great time for students to network with faculty and staff, ask questions about academic and career interests, and build relationships beyond the classroom. It can also be a good time for students to meet with UD Career Center consultants to explore internships and other opportunities.
UD also offers a robust summer session, which is either a 10-week term or two five-week terms.
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