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A state House study committee looking at whether Georgia’s colleges and universities should remain on the semester system or go back to the quarter system held its final meeting of the off-session Monday – hearing from several experts and stakeholders. Created by House Resolution 1384, the committee is tasked with looking at respective advantages and disadvantages of semesters and quarters and whether the anticipated benefits of converting to the semester system have been realized.
Colleges and universities that are part of the University System of Georgia (USG) have operated on the semester system rather than the quarter system since 1999, and schools in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) changed to the semester system in 2011. Lawmakers now want to know if those changes have been beneficial.
The study committee will have the opportunity to submit their findings into proposed legislation during the 2025 legislative session.
Among the presenters Monday was Matt Cardoza, Director of External Affairs for the Georgia Department of Education. Cardoza pointed out the biggest challenges a possible switch to quarter semesters would mean for the state DOE – mainly dealing with the state’s dual enrollment program. The challenges include: flexibility with K-12 being on the semester system, course completion possibly impacted, availability of courses, and the financial impact on dual enrollment.
“This change could possibly impact tuition caused by requiring more hours, and this could result in a potential increase in the state’s financial obligations,” Cardoza said. “We would also have to look at the possibility of allowed dual enrollment hours running out too soon.”
The committee also heard from Cody Allen, Senior Policy Officer for the Council of State Governments. He reported that three state university systems were on quarter systems: the University of California system (8 of 10 colleges or universities are on quarter system); Oregon, which recently disbanded the statewide university system; and Washington.
Representatives from Georgia Military College, which hosted the meeting, also gave a presentation to lawmakers on their model – they are on a quarter system.
Rep. Shaw Blackmon, R-Bonaire, serves as Chair. Other members include Rep. Ginny Ehrhart, R-Marietta, Rep. Mike Cheokas, R-Americus, Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, and Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Atlanta.
The resolution that created the committee says, “because the conversion from the quarter system to the semester system has resulted in longer terms with more classes and fewer graduation cycles, some question whether semesters are the better option for students or for workforce development, a study would be beneficial.”