Iowa State students have the option to take winter session classes during the three-week break between fall and spring semesters, offering a chance to catch up on coursework, get ahead or lighten future schedules. 

This year, winter session begins Dec. 22 and 23, and ends with final exams Jan. 16.

Jason Keith, senior vice president and provost, said the purpose of the session is rooted in flexibility and student progress. 

“Winter session classes are an opportunity for students to either catch up or work ahead in their degree programs,” Keith said. “While many students appreciate the opportunity to recharge during winter break, others see the time off as a chance to focus on just one class instead of four or five during a typical semester.”

The shortened timeline requires significant planning on the instructional side.

“Converting a 16-week course into 17 days requires a considerable amount of work to make sure the breadth of material is covered, and learning objectives are met,” Keith said.

Despite the speed, Keith said academic expectations remain identical. 

“Winter session classes are the same classes students can take in the fall or spring, led by the same great faculty and with the same rigor and learning outcomes, but they are taught in a compressed format over only 17 days,” Keith said.

Because of the workload, students may only enroll in one course of up to four credits. 

“The amount of reading and coursework for a three-credit class is the same in the winter as it is in the spring, so taking multiple classes could quickly become overwhelming,” Keith said.

Winter session enrollment has fluctuated significantly since it began in 2020. According to Institutional Research Director Kevin Saunders, winter-term courses are predominantly online, with a small number delivered in hybrid format. 

Enrollment counts represent the total number of course enrollments, meaning students are counted more than once if they take multiple classes, though most students enroll in just one course. 

Over the past five years, winter session enrollment has ranged from 1,275 to 2,644 students, with the highest numbers occurring in 2020-21, when pandemic conditions reduced travel and activity options during the break. Enrollment has since stabilized. 

For the current cycle, 2025-26 registrations stand at 1,242, nearly identical to 2024-25 enrollment (1,275) and in line with the university’s “steady state” for winter participation.

Compared to fall enrollment, participation in the winter term is relatively small. Saunders noted that winter enrollment was nearly 10% of fall enrollment during the first offering but has since leveled to about 5% in 2024–25.

Enrollment varies by year, but the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS), the College of Business, and Combinations of Human Sciences, Agriculture and Life Sciences or Health and Human Sciences consistently lead in winter participation.

Historical data shows:

• LAS courses often enroll more than 560 to 1,000 students in a single winter term.
• The Ivy College of Business offerings regularly attract 390 to 565 students.
• Other colleges, such as the College of Engineering and the College of Human Sciences, see steady but smaller enrollments.
• Some colleges, including Design and the Library, offer only one or two courses in certain years, or none.

For 2024-25, the highest enrollments came from LAS, the College of Business and the College of Health and Human Sciences.

These courses align with general education requirements, high-demand electives or prerequisites for professional programs.

Lauren Ramos, assistant director of academic advising in LAS, expressed that winter-session courses supplement students’ educational plans rather than serve as a central component. 

“They can help students complete general education requirements or prerequisites so they can start required courses in the spring,” Ramos said. “Since lab-based courses are not offered during winter, most students choose lecture-based science classes or general education courses that align with their major requirements.” 

Some winter courses are especially popular. General education courses consistently draw students, while pre-med and pre-health students sometimes retake biology courses as a refresher before the MCAT or other entrance exams. 

Within the Ivy College of Business, Michele Appelgate, director of marketing and communications, said the college promotes winter-session courses through a mix of website features, social media and signage throughout the Gerdin Business Building.

For the 2025-26 winter term, 365 undergraduate students have registered for 14 business courses, similar to last year’s enrollment of 376.

“Each fall, we launch an awareness campaign so students know which courses are offered and how to register,” Appelgate said. 

Winter-session offerings are reevaluated each year by academic colleges to ensure they meet students’ needs.

“Ultimately, winter session is all about student success — keeping students on track for graduation and offering flexibility during the break,” Keith said.