UC Davis is gearing up for its 2025 Summer Sessions, set to commence on June 13. This year promises an expanded program with more students enrolled, a broader range of virtual courses, and additional co-curricular activities.
Currently, nearly 14,400 undergraduates have registered for summer courses, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Enrollment has also risen among high school students, community college attendees, community members, and other UC undergraduates.
The sessions are structured into two six-week terms: Summer Session I from June 23 to August 1 and Summer Session II from August 4 to September 12. Additionally, there is a Special Session running from June 13 to September 12. The goal of these sessions is to assist current students in reducing the time required to earn their degrees while boosting retention and graduation rates.
“We offer this number of courses, along with guaranteed general education courses and even one- to three-credit courses, to give UC Davis students the options and flexibility they need to graduate on time or even graduate early,” said Omega Lee, executive director of Summer Sessions.
This summer will see an increase in virtual course offerings as well. Last year’s collaboration between Summer Sessions and faculty focused on creating high-quality virtual courses that meet student demand and promote equitable outcomes.
“Chiefly, we did this to provide undergraduates with greater and more equitable access to coursework in the summer. Students, especially lower-income students, face major challenges to participating in Summer Sessions,” stated Matt Traxler, associate vice provost for student success in Undergraduate Education. He added that post-pandemic interest in virtual learning has grown significantly among students.
The initiative has expanded UC Davis’s online course offerings from 33 in 2024 to 59 in 2025. UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education partnered with faculty members to adapt these courses into a virtual format.
“Our work with Summer Sessions demonstrates the value and efficacy of online learning at UC Davis,” remarked Julie Greenwood, dean of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. “This kind of cross-campus partnership accelerates the advancement of our students while ensuring the academic rigor that’s the standard at UC Davis.”
Lee confirmed plans for continuing this virtual course initiative and invited interested faculty members to contact her for more information.
Beyond academics, Summer Sessions will feature various co-curricular activities designed to enrich student life during the summer months. Collaborating with the UC Davis Writing Center, the team is launching the first-ever Summer Scholars Writing Academy aimed at enhancing creative and academic writing skills through free hour-long sessions available during both summer terms.
Registration deadlines are June 27 for Summer Session I and August 8 for Session II. Further details on course offerings can be found on the Summer Sessions website.
