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Academic Organization – Class Size / Summer Session / Winter Session / Religious Holiday Observance

Ramapo College is organized into schools rather than departments. Each school is comprised of faculty members from several related disciplines, and each school projects its own academic identity and thematic approach in the programs it sponsors. The five schools offering major programs are as follows:

  • Anisfield School of Business
  • Contemporary Arts
  • School of Humanities and Global Studies
  • Social Science and Human Services
  • Theoretical and Applied Science.

Academic Schools / Majors

All students associate with a particular school when they choose a major and thereby establish close contacts with faculty and other students sharing similar interests. The choice of school does not restrict the choice of courses, however. Ramapo’s comprehensive General Education Program consists of courses from every school, and students are encouraged to take minors and/or other coursework from across the College.

The courses and requirements for each program are governed by a convening group comprised of faculty members who teach in the discipline area and led by a convener.

Ramapo College provides a curriculum that is current and that meets the needs and interests of our students. To that end, courses will periodically be deleted from the Ramapo College Catalog.

Students who have chosen a major/minor or who are interested in a certain program should consult with the appropriate convener and/or a faculty  member  from that convening group. A list of conveners is available on the web, from each school, and from the Center for Student Success.

More information concerning majors, minors, and concentrations may be found in the Majors/Minors/Schools section of the Catalog. Course descriptions may be found in the online Course Catalog.

Class Size

At Ramapo, most classes are small to moderate in size. The largest lower-level classes typically hold 35 students; labs, studios, seminars, writing intensive courses, and many upper level courses are capped at 20-25 students. Students are expected to participate actively in their coursework and maintain regular and prompt attendance. A syllabus that outlines expectations and responsibilities is distributed during the first week of class. The academic year is made up of two regular semesters, spring and fall. In each of these semesters, the College provides some 900 course sections representing about 500 different courses. Classes are scheduled Monday through Saturday, 8 am through 9 pm.

Summer Session

Summer Session at Ramapo College provides opportunities for Ramapo students and visiting students to pursue undergraduate, graduate, and study abroad opportunities.

Summer study allows students to investigate new areas of knowledge, take advantage of cooperative education placements or internships, supplement degree programs, complete program requirements, and explore the world. More than 200 classes and some 10 study abroad programs are offered during two regular five-week sessions, two three-week mini sessions, and various study abroad calendars.

For questions regarding Summer Session registration, contact the Office of the Registrar by e-mail at registrar@ramapo.edu.

Summer Session

Winter Session

A limited number of courses are offered online over a four-week period between the fall and spring semesters. Students may take no more than one course per Winter Session.

For questions regarding Winter Session registration, contact the Office of the Registrar by e-mail at registrar@ramapo.edu.

Religious Holiday Observance

The faculty of the College will help students who miss class for religious observance to meet their academic obligations.

A student who plans to miss one or more class sessions for religious observance, whether the religious holiday is recognized by the State of New Jersey or not, must notify the course instructor as soon as possible but no later than prior to the date of the religious holiday or the 50% refund date of the term in which the student is enrolled in the course (whichever comes first). The course instructor will assist the student in making up any work missed while absent for religious observance but will not penalize the student for the absence.

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