Parts of Term

At the University of Memphis, the Academic Year is divided into three terms or semesters--Fall, Spring, and Summer. Each term consists of several Parts of Term (part). When registering for a term, you may register for courses in any of the term's parts or a combination of the parts.

What's the difference between one part and another?

The primary differences between one part and another have to do with part lengths (starting and ending dates) and lengths of class periods. It's important to remember that the same course offered in any part requires the same amount of class time as when it is offered in another part. Also, the credit is the same. Thus, HMSE 1100 taken in the Pre Summer part is the equal of HMSE 1100 taken in the Fall Full part or the Spring 2nd part, and so on.

Some parts--Regents, 1st Teacher, and 2nd Teacher--have a purpose of their own, so they are different from the other parts in ways other than calendar days and meeting times.

To understand the parts better, please refer to the tables below:

Fall and Spring Term Parts of Term
Part	Description
Full	The Full part is the longest, lasting the entire term. For example, a Spring Full part begins in January and ends in late April or early May.
1st	The 1st part begins when the Full does but ends in the middle of the Full part (at the Fall or Spring mid-term break). Because this part is half the length of the Full, its class periods are longer than Full's class periods, or the class itself meets more frequently.
2nd	The 2nd part is similar to the 1st. However, the 2nd part begins after the Full's mid-term break and runs until the end of the Full part.
Regents	The Regents part parallels the Full, although its starting and ending dates can be slightly different. The only courses offered in the Regents part are online courses that belong to the Regents Online Degree Program.

Summer Term Parts of Term
Part	Description
Pre Summer	The Pre Summer part is the shortest in calendar days but has the longest class periods. You might have to meet 3-4 hours a day, everyday, for one class in the Pre Session. The Pre Session starts after the Spring term has ended but ends before the Summer's 1st and Full parts begin.
Full	The Full part is the longest, lasting almost the entire Summer term. It begins after Pre Summer and ends a few weeks before the Fall Term begins. Typically the Full part begins in late May and ends in early August.
1st	The 1st part runs concurrently with the first half of the Full part. Because this part of term is half the length of the Full, its class periods are longer than Full's class periods, or the class itself meets more frequently.
2nd	The 2nd part runs concurrently with the second half of the Full part.
1st Teacher	The 1st Teacher part begins shortly after the school year for Memphis and Shelby county school teachers ends. Offerings are designed primarily for teachers and prospective teachers who want to renew/obtain licensure or certification.
2nd Teacher	The 2nd Teacher part ends shortly before the new school year for Memphis and Shelby county school teachers begins. Offerings are designed primarily for teachers and prospective teachers who want to renew/obtain licensure or certification.
Regents	The Regents part parallels Full, although its starting and ending dates can be slightly different. The only courses offered in the Regents part are online courses that belong to the Regents Online Degree Program.