Affectionately called “J-Term” on campus, January term is our 20-day mini-mester between fall and spring semester. This abbreviated semester is the perfect size for students to immerse themselves in an experience.

It’s a time when students commonly travel abroad, complete an internship, or take an intensive study course. And it’s included in your tuition!

RMC biology students lined up on the stairs of ruins during a J-Term travel course in Belize

J-Term is a great chance to explore the world by studying abroad. RMC students travel across the globe from Belize to Australia, from Japan to Sicily, and everywhere in between! These travel courses offer a taste of global cultures while exploring in-depth subjects like the Chemistry of Winemaking or Warfare in Antiquity.

Internships, for pay or credit, offer students the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the professional field of their choice. J-Term is the perfect time to connect knowledge from the classroom to your future goals.

A man standing in front of a cat store.
A student participates in a virtual reality experience in the Makerspace area of the McGraw-Page Library, as part of a course on Dr. Donelle Boose’s course on oral history.

One class, every day, for 20 days. Many students use their J-term to go all in on a single class on campus in Ashland. It might be a course on a topic you are really excited about, or – let’s be real – a tough class where time to really focus will help you succeed.

buzzworthy Some special January experiences

News Story categories: Asian Studies International Education Nursing

Nursing Travel Course Explores Disaster Response in Japan

Collaborative J-term travel course pairs nursing and Asian studies departments for a unique interdisciplinary international experience.

Group of people posing in front of the floating torii gate at itsukushima shrine, miyajima, japan on an overcast day.
News Story categories: International Education Spanish Student Life

Spain Day-By-Day: A Student’s Photo Blog from January Term

Madison Brown ’24 is a political science major with minors in journalism and music. She traveled to Spain in January 2024.

A group of people posing for a photo in front of a castle.
News Story categories: Career Preparation Computer Science Cybersecurity

Empowering Veterans Through Tech: An Impactful Internship with Tech for Troops

Samantha Gentry ’25 got hands-on experience interning with Tech for Troops, a Richmond-based nonprofit that supports under-resourced veterans.

A young woman standing in front of a Tech for Troops banner.