Why Summer Classes are the Best Kept Secret in Graduate Education

Many working professionals take it easy over the summer. Vacation mode kicks in, and it seems like every day, you get an out-of-office reply from someone’s inbox. 

The reality? You can have that, too—and you can double down on your professional development. 

At Wake Forest School of Professional Studies (SPS), our online graduate programs allow you to grow as a professional and expand your career potential with enough flexibility that you can still enjoy your summer. 

Our summer semester runs from May 11 to Aug. 23, and here’s why this season is the ideal time to further your education through Wake Forest SPS.

Start Strong and Build Momentum

A graduate program can be thought of as a series of sprints: short, focused, and impactful. 

On average, our programs take one and a half to two years to complete, so participating does not require a permanent change to your lifestyle. You simply need to hit the ground running and sustain that pace for the duration of the semester.

Summer can be the perfect time to do this as you balance academic success as a working professional. Many sectors of the economy ramp up right when the fall semester kicks into gear. It’s easy to find yourself in a busy season at work and marching toward the holidays right when you’re taking graduate-level classes for the first time. If you know you get busy toward the end of the year, the summer program is ideal for getting accustomed to coursework and developing study habits with less pressure. 

You Can Still Enjoy Your Summer

Many people write off summer education because they think it means giving up fun. That’s not true at Wake Forest SPS. Our summer program is 100% online and consists of two mini-semesters, each only 7.5 weeks long.

For Deborah Walker, a Master of Digital Marketing graduate, the mini-semesters were extremely beneficial in the summer: “The condensed format allowed me to dive deep into subjects I’m passionate about, and the interactions with my professors were just as enriching as during the academic year.”

Best of all, our classes are asynchronous—meaning you can access lectures, assignments, discussions, and materials whenever it works for your schedule, whether that’s early morning with coffee, during a beach break, or late at night after a day of adventures. This self-paced flexibility lets you truly balance learning with relaxation because there’s no rushing to log in for a specific class time or missing out on summer plans.

This gives you plenty of flexibility to soak up the sun while you further your education. So go ahead and enjoy that vacation. Log in from anywhere. Our classes go where you are.

Enjoy a Head Start on Registration

For working professionals, there’s a delicate balance to maintain with scheduling. Securing the classes you want helps set you for success.

When course enrollment begins on March 9, summer applicants have access to priority registration. 

Priority registration is a smart way to sneak in those classes you know will fill up in the spring and fall. The deadline for priority registration is April 9, so take advantage of it while you have the chance. 

Unlock Financial Aid Opportunities

At Wake Forest SPS, we believe in keeping education affordable and accessible for students of a variety of backgrounds. Keeping costs down is great for peace of mind, and every bit helps. 

For summer applicants, Wake Forest SPS will waive the application fee ($50 value).  

Investing in yourself is one of the best actions you can take for your professional development, and Wake Forest SPS is proud to help you make the most of it. There are also scholarships available for summer applicants. 

“My biggest takeaway from my time in the program has been the importance of passion in learning,” reflected Deborah. “The enthusiasm of my professors has not only inspired me but has also highlighted the value of being engaged and proactive in my education. I’ve learned to seek out knowledge beyond the classroom and to apply what I learn in practical ways, which I believe will be invaluable as I transition into my career post-graduation.”

Learn more about our graduate program offerings. Have a question? Let us know.