Dordt University has announced an updated academic calendar for graduate studies, allowing working adults to focus on one course at a time while making steady progress toward degree completion.
Dordt University will introduce a new academic calendar for its graduate programs beginning in the fall of the 2026-2027 academic year.
Under the new structure, most graduate courses will move from a 15-week format to a 7-week format. The change will transition graduate programs from three start terms to six start terms.
Ultimately, according to Greg Van Dyke, Dordt's vice president for enrollment, the new calendar is designed to enhance the graduate student experience by increasing flexibility and expanding opportunities for enrollment and degree completion. The new structure will:
• Allow many students to focus on one course at a time.
• Provide tuition billing at the start of every 7-week term.
• Offer an Add/Drop period during every 7-week term.
• Allow new students to start mid-semester.
• Maintain a Tuesday-Monday module rhythm in every term.
• Create opportunities to accelerate degree completion.
The new graduate academic calendar represents Dordt’s continued commitment to serving students intentionally and meeting the evolving needs of students in a quickly changing higher education landscape. It was intentionally designed for working adults, allowing them to concentrate on one course at a time while maintaining strong momentum toward degree completion.
While this change required extensive collaboration across the university, Dordt is confident the new calendar will provide graduate students with greater flexibility as they begin their studies, progress through their programs, and prepare for their continued work toward Christ-centered renewal in all things.
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
Dr. Valorie Zonnefeld, professor of mathematics at Dordt University, will serve as the 2026–27 Brabenec lecturer through the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences (ACMS).
Related Events