Huntington College has operated on the 4-1-4 calendar since 1969. This calendar consists of two fifteen-week semesters and a three-week January Term. The fall semester ends before Christmas and the spring semester ends in May.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 128 credit hours for baccalaureate programs or 64 credit hours for associate programs. Some bachelor programs or combinations of programs may require more than 128, and students are advised to plan carefully. During the fall and spring semesters each student normally takes fifteen semester hours. By taking fifteen to sixteen hours per semester and two hours in January, most students can complete course requirements for graduation within the four-year period.

January Term is an integral part of the 4-1-4 calendar. Courses offered in January encourage creative imagination and independent inquiry. January Term frees both student and faculty from demands of other courses and programs, providing opportunity for uninterrupted and intensive investigation.

Bachelor degree students are required to take three January Term courses, including those of the freshman and sophomore years. Freshmen generally take on-campus courses. Transfer students may be exempted from up to two January Terms, one January Term for each thirty semester hours of transfer credit. Students must complete January Term courses from at least two departments.

January Term is designed to provide a unique educational experience for students and faculty by encouraging curricular flexibility, innovation, experimentation, creativity and fresh, stimulating approaches to topics of study. It is an exciting and important change of pace during the academic year.

The thirteen-day term allows rigorous and concentrated study in one subject area chosen from special courses which are very different from regular catalog courses. This concentrated study allows students time to explore new disciplines outside their major fields that they might not be able to do otherwise. The time may also allow students to focus in depth in intense study or research on a particular topic within their programs. This freedom to focus efforts in one area of study carries the expectation that students be intensely involved in that study and display a high quality of effort and academic seriousness within this unique opportunity.

Students are especially invited to consider learning experiences that take them away from campus during January. Most are available at very low cost compared to individually-arranged travel. Moreover, combining a trip with an academic course offers unique opportunities for cultural, intellectual, and spiritual growth.

Several regular courses are offered each summer in sessions that begin in late May, particularly for those students who wish to gain credits to ease their schedules. Since some courses end by early June, it is possible to take a course and still have most of the summer for work or for vacation.

Most summer courses are from the Core Curriculum program. A minimum of ten students is needed to ensure that a course may be taught.

Summer courses may be especially helpful to students wanting to accelerate their programs, take lighter loads during the semesters , or pursue additional course work in areas other than their major fields. Students who are home for the summer from other colleges may wish to take classes at Huntington College as transient students in order to transfer the credit.

EXCEL is an accelerated degree program in organizational management for working adult professionals whose schedules preclude taking traditional daytime classes, whose motivation for pursuing a degree program is strong, and whose experiences can contribute to cooperative learning styles.

To be eligible for regular admission into the EXCEL Program, bachelor degree students must have at least two years of college credits from an accredited college with at least a 2.0 gpa, be 25 or older, and have three years of work experience. Associate degree students must be 23 or older and have two years of work experience. Requirements in the organizational management major are completed through continuous enrollment in courses with a cohort group whose classes meet one night per week.

EXCEL also offers a Gateway Program for adults. Core and elective courses are offered for credit or noncredit throughout the year, meeting one night per week. Gateway classes are open to EXCEL students and to members of the community.

Opportunities abound for students to experience a different setting or a different culture as part of their education at Huntington. Such experiences are often a significant highlight and occasionally a life-changing experience for the undergraduate.

Students may take January Term courses abroad or in different settings within the United States, often at very low cost, as well as full semester or summer experiences off campus. Other enrichment opportunities such as spring break mission trips are arranged as part of outreach ministries.

Huntington is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, whose programs described below require registration on the Huntington campus. The CCCU is an association of 100 campuses in the United States and Canada that sponsors semester and summer programs for upperclassmen from its member institutions. The programs offer a unique opportunity for students to make the world their classroom, going beyond the confines of the traditional learning experience. Information on CCCU programs is available in the academic dean’s office and at www.bestsemester.com.

The College is also a member of the Jerusalem University College and the Christian Center for Urban Studies, whose programs are also described below. Students should contact the academic dean’s office for further information on these programs.

Work completed by Huntington College students through one of the affiliated programs described below is treated as resident credit, and Huntington students enrolled for a term in one of these programs are considered resident students at Huntington for that term. That work can apply toward the residency requirement for a Huntington degree or major. All work completed and grades earned are displayed on the student’s Huntington transcript. If credits and grades awarded by the affiliated program are not in the range awarded by Huntington College, they are translated to the nearest Huntington College equivalent before posting on the transcript.

To support students who desire to participate in these programs, a partial academic scholarship may be awarded by the College. Outside grants for which the student is eligible may be used for CCCU and other affiliated programs, but some College scholarships, performance grants, international grants, or tuition remission may not be awarded for off-campus programs. Students considering applying for an off-campus program should consult the financial aid office for information about eligibility for financial aid.

The American Studies Program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities provides internship and study opportunities in Washington, D.C. Students serve as interns in a variety of governmental and non-governmental agencies and participate in an interdisciplinary academic seminar program for a semester or summer. This Washington campus of the Council brings together capable students from several other colleges to live together in a small Christian community to be challenged to integrate faith, learning, and living and to consider career choices, public policy issues and personal relationships in response to one’s Christian commitment. Students may earn 16 semester hours of credit during a semester of study.

The China Studies Program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities provides Huntington students the opportunity to engage this large and intriguing country from the inside. The semester includes study of standard Chinese language, geography and history, religion and culture, and China’s modern development. Participants travel throughout China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Xiamen, and the Hong Kong region. This interdisciplinary program is designed to help students understand the complex history, culture, and current issues facing China; to provide an opportunity to learn through travel and interaction with the people; and to equip them to develop a Christ-centered worldview of China. Students may earn 16 semester hours of credit during a semester of study.

The Contemporary Music Program provides students the opportunity to live and work in a community while seeking to understand how God will have them integrate music, faith, and business. The program offers two tracks: the Artist Track and the Executive Track. The Artist Track is tailored to students who are considering careers as performers, producers, or recording engineers. The Executive Track is designed for students interested in business careers related to the entertainment industry. Students experience a uniquely Christian perspective on creativity and the marketplace, while working together to create and market an original music recording. Students may earn 16 semester hours of credit during a semester of study.

The Latin American Studies Program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities provides Huntington students language study and culture in San Jose, Costa Rica. Students study politics, history, economics, ecology and religion of the region while living with a Costa Rican family. Students participate in a service opportunity and travel for three weeks to surrounding countries. Two specialized tracks, in international business and management and in tropical sciences and sustainability, are available. Students may earn 16 semester hours of credit during a semester of study.

The Los Angeles Film Studies Program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities enables students to serve in various aspects of the film industry with professional skill and Christian integrity. Located in the Los Angeles area near major production studios, the semester program combines seminar courses with internships in various segments of the film industry, providing the opportunity to explore the film industry within a Christian context and from a liberal arts perspective. Students may earn 16 semester hours of credit during a semester of study.

The Middle East Studies Program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities is located in Cairo, Egypt, and provides Huntington students the opportunity to study Middle Eastern cultures, religions, and conflicts within this diverse and strategic region. Students participate in interdisciplinary seminar classes and receive Arabic language instruction. Students are equipped to relate to the Muslim world in an informed and constructive manner. Trips to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan are included. Students may earn 16 semester hours of credit during a semester of study.

Honors students have the opportunity to study in England through an interdisciplinary semester at Oxford University. The rigorous academic program, in association with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, is aimed at increasing critical thinking skills and scholarship from a Christian perspective. It allows participants to choose from a wide variety of tutorial study programs in the arts, religion, history, economics, philosophy, and many other programs. In addition to two Oxford tutorials, students participate in a seminar and an integrative course through which they produce a scholarly project or term paper. Field trips provide opportunities for experiential learning in England’s rich historical setting.

Students may take a six-week summer term (6 to 9 hours of credit) at the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies in association with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities at Oxford’s Keble College, studying the history and development of the Renaissance and Reformation through examination of the philosophy, art, literature, science, music, politics, and religion of this era.

The Russian Studies Program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities provides Huntington students the opportunity to study the Russian language and attend courses on Russian culture, literature, history, and current political and economic issues. Participants experience a variety of Russian environments, living for twelve weeks in Nizhni Novgorod and visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg. After six weeks of language study, students live with Russian families for the remainder of their time in Nizhi Novgorod. Students may earn 16 semester hours of credit during a semester of study.

Fifteen journalism students from CCCU member campuses are selected each year to participate in the Washington, DC, month-long Institute from mid-May to mid-June. All expenses for the Institute are paid. Classroom experience is blended with hands-on work and is an excellent opportunity to learn from leading journalists who share a Christian commitment. Participants engage in seminars and field trips, receive training from communications professors, and complete workshop projects for their local newspapers. The Institute helps students develop as Christian journalists, exhibiting both professionalism and legal and ethical integrity.

The AuSable Institute serves evangelical Christian colleges with environmental studies in a setting of northern lower Michigan forests, wetlands, lakes and rivers. Huntington participates in the Institute through the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. January Term, May Term, and summer courses provide academic credit and field experiences in field ecology, field biology, land resources, water resources, and environmental studies. The College grants three and one-half semester hours credit per course. The Institute has fellowships and grants for qualified students. Tuition is charged at the Huntington College hourly amount and students pay a weekly room and board charge. The Institute grants certificates for environmental analysts, land resource analysts, and naturalists. Further information may be obtained from the biology department.

The Christian Center for Urban Studies was formed as a cooperative educational center in Chicago to link the needs and opportunities of the city with the faith and gifts of today’s college and seminary students and to prepare students for America’s multicultural and urban future.

Chicago serves as an ideal laboratory for ministry and career preparation. CCUS programs prepare students to serve full time in urban or cross-cultural settings, identify career paths in the urban environment, and understand social justice and cultural issues.

Urban semesters provide a foundation for understanding urban cultures, systems, and poverty through an individually tailored internship and course of study. Mini-terms provide a three-week introduction to cultural perspectives and interpretation.

The Institute for Family Studies, affiliated with Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs and endorsed by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, provides a personalized program that crosses academic and professional disciplines to address issues facing today’s families from a distinctively Christian base with modern cultural relevancy and practical application.

The semester-long program is tailored to the student’s interests and academic, professional, and life goals. The Institute offers students unique opportunities to interact with various national and international religious, educational, political, and pro-family leaders.

Jerusalem University College is a nondenominational center in Jerusalem, Israel, which offers undergraduate and graduate courses in archeology, history, geography, languages, and literature relating to both ancient and modern cultures in the area. Huntington is a member and accepts credits earned at J.U.C. Students majoring in Bible and religion are provided the option of including a semester of study in Israel in either the junior or senior year. Further information may be obtained from the Bible and religion department.

Semester in Spain combines challenging Spanish language study (beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels) and a rich cultural experience in Seville, Spain, a modern city with a rich history. Students have constant opportunities to practice the language skills they are learning. Faculty members use a global approach, concentrating on developing and enhancing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students develop confidence and fluency in Spanish by improving their command of Spanish grammar and vocabulary. Courses are available during fall, January, spring, and summer terms. A college minor in Spanish requires a minimum of 22 hours, including 12 semester hours of college credit in Spanish language courses (or equivalent credit through CLEP or AP examinations) prior to the Semester in Spain; the remaining hours for the minor are taken through the semester in Spain program. Students will normally complete 16 hours in the Semester in Spain program and are placed in courses on the basis of testing at the beginning of the experience.