Good Things Come in Small Semesters : Mini-Session Classes as a Method for Serving At-Risk and Minority Students
Mini-session classes are increasing in popularity as more non-traditional students enroll in college. However, 95% of colleges predominantly operate on the standard fifteen- or sixteen-week semester format. While much has been written about mini-session courses—also known as intensive, mini-mester, compressed, short-term, accelerated, mini-session, and condensed—there is a glaring gap in how they affect at-risk student populations. This paper fills that gap by reporting the findings of an analysis of sixteen three-week courses taught in 2021 compared to the traditional sixteen-week offerings of these same classes. The promising findings of this first-of-its-kind research provide valuable information to help better understand the effects of semester scheduling and the unique challenges at-risk students face. Furthermore, the findings contribute to a more equitable and diverse environment by increasing educational opportunities to underserved and at-risk student populations. Finally, these novel findings are a compelling call for future research into this pressing subject.The findings of this study also contribute to the fulfillment of the emphasis that the Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) places on diversity and inclusion. As stated in the 2020 ALSB action plan, “The Academy supports equality of opportunity for all persons in all aspects of life . . .” Pedagogical research—such as that contained in this Article—is essential to creating a more equitable and diverse environment by increasing educational opportunities to underserved and at-risk student populations