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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Dear Colleagues,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">I’m writing to share that we are beginning a renewed conversation about the possibility of some master’s programs moving to 8-week terms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#212121">Many of you will recall that 8-week terms were implemented across the College of Business and other programs in 2022. Those experiences helped surface important questions about planning, consistency, and operations.
Since then, our institutional context has evolved significantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Today, we are operating with greater clarity, stronger evidence, and more intentional structures. Graduate education—particularly for older adults and working students—continues to shift toward models that support
momentum, flexibility, and timely completion. With improved planning and a clearer framework for faculty leadership and academic rigor, we are well positioned to revisit this conversation thoughtfully and strategically.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Specifically, we are better positioned to:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color:black;margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4">
Establish clear criteria for which programs—if any—are appropriate for 8-week terms, taking into account pedagogy, accreditation, licensure, and clinical requirements.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color:black;margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4">
Plan intentionally for 8-week terms through curriculum mapping while maintaining workload consistency.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color:black;margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4">
Present clearer, more competitive program structures to prospective students.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color:black;margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4">
Provide students with predictable course rotations and plans of study.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color:black;margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4">
Rely on stronger external evidence about how adult learners engage with graduate programs.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="color:black;margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4">
Protect academic rigor through content equivalency and oversight.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">This is an opportunity to ask a different question than we could reasonably ask in 2022: <i>Where could the 8-week format strengthen our graduate programs while staying true to our academic values?</i></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">More information will be shared as this conversation continues within your colleges. Beginning these discussions now will allow us to position ourselves for a strong and thoughtful implementation in Fall 2026.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">With appreciation for your care for our graduate programs,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Jennifer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#00386C">Jennifer L. Schroeder, PhD
</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#4F5352">Dean</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#4F5352">Graduate School
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#4F5352;text-transform:uppercase">P</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#4F5352">: 903.886.5159
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.tamuc.edu/"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:blue;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="250" height="33" style="width:2.6041in;height:.3472in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.gif@01DC8E17.6D456A50" alt="TAMUC logo"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
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