Winter Session - Courses & Programs

Earn up to four credits in just three weeks

Cornell's Winter Session features online courses taught by outstanding Cornell University faculty members. Enrollment is open to all—from undergrads and high school students to alumni and any interested adult.

Winter Session is ideal for students wishing to earn credits before the spring semester, catch up or get ahead in their studies, and really get to know their professors.

In just three weeks you can fulfill a requirement, complete a minor or double major, take a course not offered during another semester, explore an academic field, and/or focus intensely on one subject, without distractions.

Areas of study range from the arts and business to the sciences.

View Winter Session courses

Learn about online study

Top 5 reasons to take a Winter Session course

Fulfill requirements and lighten your course load
Possibly accelerate your degree
Work closely with Cornell faculty
Grow personally and professionally
Immerse yourself in a subject

And for a lighthearted look at Winter pastimes at Cornell, check out this Cornellians story, "The Cold Comforts of a Big Red Winter."

Faculty

During Cornell’s Winter Session, you’ll enjoy the same great education that’s offered during our fall and spring semesters. Our Winter Session, unlike those at many other universities, features regular, full-time faculty members and provide an unparalleled opportunity to get to know these outstanding professors, many of whom are leaders in their fields.

Student experiences

"My Winter Session program was fantastic. I have never taken an online course before, so my expectations were low, but I was completely blown away. I took the course because I desperately needed four credits, and I was so lucky to take a Winter Session class that provided those credits in a way that was engaging, fun, and interesting. I really learned a lot."

"I loved my Winter Session course. It helped me decide that I want to pursue health economics as a profession in the future and that I want to go into health care consulting."