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: Academics Career Preparation Internships

Community Connection: A J-Term Internship with Hanover and King William Habitat for Humanity

Meredith Gray ’26 took on a range of responsibilities, from drafting a policy memo to maintaining social media accounts.

Two people sit in an office having a conversation; one is at a desk with a computer and calendars on the wall behind them.
News Story categories: Academics Education International Education

Learning Beyond Borders: Randolph-Macon Education Travel Courses Explore French Classrooms

RMC Education’s first travel course to Paris gave students an opportunity to compare the American and French educational systems.

Person smiling in front of metal railings with the Eiffel Tower and a bright sun in a cloudy sky behind.
News Story categories: Academics Music Student Life

Baroque Traditions: RMC Students Learn Chamber Music in J-Term Course

The Applied Chamber Strings course connects students of varied backgrounds through playing music together.

Musicians rehearse together in a well-lit room, playing two cellos, a viola, and a violin with sheet music on stands.