As Stanford's fourth academic quarter, all Summer Session courses carry Stanford University credit. Choose from courses offered in more than 30 departments, from foundational core courses to offerings that are unique to Stanford. Try something new with the confidence that comes with knowing our Academic Support team will be with you every step of the way.

Workload

During the Summer Quarter, the typical 10-week term is condensed to 8 weeks and course load requirements increase proportionally. Every unit for which credit is given represents approximately three hours of work each week for the average student, but workload for each individual will be affected by their specific course selection and circumstances. Our advising team is available to help you learn more about the estimated workload for your preferred courses, including discussing any prerequisites.

How It Works

1. APPLY to attend our eight-week program.
2. RECEIVE and accept your admission. 
3. REGISTER for courses when enrollment opens in April.
4. ATTEND as a Residential or Commuter student.

Course Schedule

The majority of summer courses are eight weeks, however, there are a handful of courses that follow a slightly different schedule. The start and end date for each course is listed on the Course List. It is important that students review this information as they consider their options and build their summer schedule. Although not common, it is possible to enroll in a schedule of courses with overlapping finals, so students should view Stanford’s Final Exams website for the Summer Quarter exam schedule before enrolling in courses.

Grading

Academic courses are typically offered for a Letter Grade or for an elected Credit/No Credit grading option. For more information, the Office of the University Registrar maintains a full listing of the General University Grading System. Please note that all courses offered as part of Summer Session carry academic credit, regardless of how they are graded. 

Students can select their preferred grading scale for a specific course from the options provided within Axess. You may change this option in Axess up until the Change of Grading Basis Deadline.