Focus is a vital part of achieving the goals you set for yourself. The more effort and attention you can bring to bear on a challenge, the better your chances of success.
FASTER. FLEXIBLE. FOCUSED.
CSM’s Focus to Finish improves learning experiences and outcomes with a course structure that lets you concentrate more on each of your classes.
Beginning with the Fall 2021 Semester, Focus to Finish greatly expands the classes we offer in the 7-week course format. Instead of taking all your courses in a given semester simultaneously for four months, Focus to Finish lets you take half of your classes in the first 7-week session and the other half in the second 7-week session.
Focus to Finish splits the fall and spring semesters into two 7-week sessions and offers an alternative to the traditional 15-week, semester-long course format.
ADVANTAGES
Focus to Finish offers significant short- and long-term benefits for our students. Devoting more of your energy and effort to each class will make for a better learning experience and better results from your education.
FOCUSED: Attention, time, and effort are limited resources. Taking fewer classes at a time lets you use your resources more efficiently and effectively.
FLEXIBLE: The 7-week format lets you adapt your college experience to your life more easily, shifting your course schedule to fit with your other commitments and responsibilities.
FASTER: Complete course sequences twice as quickly when you have the option to take the second course immediately after the first.
What changes, and what doesn’t? In Focus to Finish, you’ll take the same number of classes in a semester, earn the same number of credits, do the same amount of coursework, and spend the same number of hours in class.
Focus to Finish just breaks the semester into two halves. For example, a full-time student taking four 3-credit courses will take two courses in the first 7-week session and two courses in the second 7-week session, instead of taking all four courses at once for four months.
JOURNEY TOWARD YOUR DREAMS
FOCUS TOFINISH
Faster. Flexible. Focused.
CSM’s Focus to Finish improves learning experiences and outcomes with a course structure that lets you concentrate more on each of your classes.
Beginning with the Fall 2021 Semester, Focus to Finish greatly expands the classes we offer in the 7-week course format.
Your life is a journey. Discover the path that's right for you at the College of Southern Maryland.
Wherever you are in life, wherever you want to go, you can set yourself on the road to learning and achievement at CSM. You'll not only get the education and support you need to reach your goals—you'll prepare yourself to handle whatever comes next.
$29,000AVERAGE SAVINGSFor students completing their first two years of college at CSM
$1.5 millionAWARDED IN SCHOLARSHIPSBy the CSM Foundation in the last 5 years
700+STUDENTS USING MILITARY OR VETERANS BENEFITSProudly served by CSM
150+TRANSFER AGREEMENTSWith 50+ colleges and universities nationwide
17:1STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIOWhich means smaller class sizes and more personalized attention
$29,000AVERAGE SAVINGSFor students completing their first two years of college at CSM
$1.5 millionAWARDED IN SCHOLARSHIPSBy the CSM Foundation in the last 5 years
700+STUDENTS USING MILITARY OR VETERANS BENEFITSProudly served by CSM
150+TRANSFER AGREEMENTSWith 50+ colleges and universities nationwide
17:1STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIOWhich means smaller class sizes and more personalized attention
$29,000AVERAGE SAVINGSFor students completing their first two years of college at CSM
$1.5 millionAWARDED IN SCHOLARSHIPSBy the CSM Foundation in the last 5 years
700+STUDENTS USING MILITARY OR VETERANS BENEFITSProudly served by CSM
Choose from a wide array of quality programs designed to help you meet your professional and personal goals—be it a new career, expanding your knowledge base, or exploring a new hobby. Search our program finder or explore below.
Our six Guided Pathways will lead you to a rewarding career or prepare you for transfer to a bachelor's degree program.
Do you have a flair for working with people? Is your creative side your dominant side? Or do you just love history? The Arts and Humanities Pathway might be just the thing for you.
Whether your interests lie in education or criminal justice, the Education and Public Service Pathway could be the right path to get you started on your career!
The Health Pathway can take you to a career in the medical professions. Start work right away with an associate’s degree, or get the foundation you need for your next steps.
With the Trades, Transportation, and Energy Pathway, you can get both theory and hands-on training for a lucrative career.
Students can choose from more than 100 quality academic programs including an expanding array of associate degrees, certificates, and letters of recognition.
The School of Liberal Arts empowers students in their personal, academic, and professional lives by expanding their knowledge of the human experience in all its many forms and developing their capacities for creativity, critical thinking, and communication.
The School of Professional and Technical Studies empowers students in their personal, academic, and professional lives by expanding their knowledge of business, engineering, mathematics, and technology.
The School of Science and Health empowers students in their personal, academic, and professional lives by expanding their knowledge of life, physical, and health sciences and enhancing their skill in using scientific reasoning and critical thinking.
Start learning the skills you need to grow in your job or launch an entirely new career at CSM. You can choose from 17 distinct areas of study and gain the skills, knowledge, or certificates you need to begin or enhance your career.
Get started in a career today with CSM’s Workforce Training where you can get hands-on training and learn job-specific skills with flexible daytime, evening, and weekend classes.
Find a new skill or hobby, or polish old ones with CSM’s interest-based classes, workshops, and activities.
CSM offers a variety of personal enrichment classes that can fulfill your desire to advance personally. Pursuing personal interests can reveal hidden talents and add excitement to your life. Enjoy life. Enjoy your passions.
CSM's Kids' and Teen College offers online classes for children ages five to 17 that will enhance their education and broaden their horizons.
Stay in shape at CSM. From our excellent facilities and equipment, to our fitness, nutrition, and wellness classes, there is always a way to get your blood pumping at CSM.
I started as a full-time student in 1987. It took me a long time to complete my degree; you have a family, a career, you have to work, it's a lot so I took a class here and a class there when I could fit one in…the beauty of the College of Southern Maryland is that you can complete your degree or certificate program at your own pace.
TONI KRUSZKA '11
Development Coordinator, College of Southern Maryland
The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated 466 candidates for 480 associate degrees and 271 certificates during its 62nd Spring Commencement Ceremony, held May 14. The 2021 graduating class earned several exceptional characteristics, including having spent their last academic year participating in distance learning with limited in-person instruction. And while the 2021 CSM graduates turned their tassels in a virtual ceremony shared during a Facebook live event this afternoon, many will also be participating in a socially distant photo opportunity with CSM leadership on an outdoor stage at the La Plata Campus next week.
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