Summer class preview

Registration is now open for most Liberty University student groups, and some are taking advantage of the courses being offered in the summer to try and knock out a few credits before the fall term.

According to Director of Liberty University Summer Programs Kenny Rowlette, Liberty has been offering residential summer classes since 2002, and more than 1,000 students stay in Lynchburg for the summer semester.

Most classes being offered this summer are in the English, Math and Worship departments, according to the registrar’s office.

During summer 2011, the most popular courses taken by students were Biology and Chemistry classes, in addition to the traditional prerequisites of BIBL 110, New Testament Survey, COMS 101, Speech Communication, CRST 290 and History of Life, according to the registrar’s office.

The new Cinematic Arts department will also be offering three core classes required for the Cinematic Arts’ program, according to Liberty’s website.

The core courses include Introduction to Screenwriting, Intro Motion Picture Directing and Introduction to Cinematography.

“In today’s economy, the average student owes about $20,000 in loans. Therefore, Liberty has given everyone an opportunity to save money by taking summer school courses. What we’re trying to do is provide people with an opportunity to cut back on the total amount of money they’re spending on courses, and also to increase their chances of finishing,” Rowlette said.

The price of classes is $325 per credit hour, according to Rowlette.

“Liberty University offers a number of classes with a diverse number of schedules — four week, three week, two week and one week,” Rowlette said.

Freshman Emiliy Martsolf is finding the summer session to be a smart financial investment in paying for college.

“Over the summer, I am taking four classes,” Martsolf said. “I am going to benefit by jumping over sophomore status into a junior status.”

Martsolf also noted that she would be saving money on the cheaper classes and even more money on the cost of room and board.

Another asset of staying for summer classes is that it allows the student to expedite their degree program.

For junior Tony Hamernick, taking summer classes will allow him to graduate sooner since he changed his major from pre-engineering to aviation after coming to Liberty.

“I’m taking Survey of American History in class and Philosophy 201 online. I want to stay on campus to take extra flight training over the summer,” Hamernick said. “If I take extra classes, I can finish by next summer and graduate on time, especially with getting the extra flight training time.”

Throughout the summer, the LaHaye Student Union will remain open.

Sodexho also remains open throughout the summer and provides students with dining services at the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall, according to Rowlette.

Registration for summer classes began Jan. 30, and online registration ends April 27. After that date, students will still be able to register for open classes but will have to do so in person or by contacting the Student Service Center, according to Liberty’s website.