Summer registration opens

Liberty University students may not be thinking about schoolwork in the summer, but for some, the chance to accelerate their education in summer school may be a good option.

The resident summer school registration opened for students on ASIST Feb. 4. Liberty offers many different courses during the summer from desktop publishing to biology, among others, which are listed on Liberty’s website under “Summer Session 2013.”

The most popular and in-demand courses taken over the summer at Liberty have been aviation, biology, communication, nursing and education, according to Kenny Rowlette, director for Liberty’s summer programs.

Rowlette claimed that nursing students are the most common out of all the students to take advantage of these summer classes.

“It really lightens the load for nursing students because (once) we start to go to the hospital, we don’t have as much time to study,” nursing student Courtney Fox said. “It is really beneficial to complete courses throughout the summer because it enables us to get certain classes done to give us more time during the semester.”

Aviation students also use the summer school program to get ahead in their studies.

“I am excited to start my classes for aviation over the summer so I can start logging in my time to fly and not have to pay as much to do so, like I did during the semester,” aviation student Daniel Hartman said. “Liberty’s summer school has opened up a lot of doors for me concerning aviation, and in the end, is saving me money.”

“Depending on the department, we are trying to make as many two to three-week intensives available as possible,” Rowlette said. “Taking these summer classes will save the students time and money during college.”

Plans for student housing and dining for summer school students are being put into place, Rowlette said.

According to American Student Assistance, an organization that provides neutral information about student loan debt, 20 million students borrow yearly to help cover the cost of college tuition and 37 million are buried with outstanding student loans — with most borrowers being under the age of 30.

“Taking classes during the summer allows students to complete their degree faster and spend less time during the semester on classes,” Rowlette said.

In addition to saving time during summer school, undergraduate students save money as well. Classes for summer school are paid for by credit hour. According to Liberty’s registrar’s office, students in summer school pay only $340 per credit hour.

Rowlette said that he is fully confident that students will benefit from the summer programs not only academically, but financially as well.