Classroom Experience

Yale Summer Session is part of Yale College, the oldest part and undergraduate branch of Yale University. YSS shares Yale College’s basic educational principle, that an education is “to cultivate a broadly informed, highly disciplined intellect without specifying in advance how that intellect will be used. Such an approach to learning regards college as a phase of exploration, a place for the exercise of curiosity, and an opportunity for the discovery of new interests and abilities.” In fewer words, an education from Yale College is a liberal arts education. 

The College’s curriculum is broad and encourages students to take a diverse mix of courses, even as they concentrate their studies in one field by pursuing an academic major. In fact, Yale undergraduates are required to take a wide variety of courses to earn their degrees. At Yale, biologists write poetry, poets conduct anthropological research, and anthropologists study Shakespeare. 

YSS’s curriculum offers students the same opportunity to take a wide variety of courses. Every summer, more than 100 Yale College courses are offered through YSS. While students typically take five or six courses each semester during the academic year, YSS students take only one or two at once. Small class sizes, leading experts as instructors, and a community of scholars are all hallmarks of education at Yale. 

Types of Courses

What is a class at Yale Summer Session like? As part of the College, we have four types of courses. 

Seminars

In a seminar, a small group of students meet for an extended amount of time. Seminars center around close reading, critical thinking, and active participation.  Students are expected to complete assigned readings before class and come prepared to engage in thoughtful dialogue with their instructor and classmates. While the instructor will guide the discussion, students play a central role in shaping the conversation. Because of their smaller size and interactive format, seminars often foster strong connections between students and professors, as well as deep engagement with the course material. 

Lectures

In a lecture, students generally meet in a large group several times each week. The instructor delivers the course material in a structured talk, often supported by slides, videos, or other multimedia tools. Lectures may be less interactive than seminars, though students are encouraged to take notes as well as ask or answer questions. Often, students can stay after class or attend office hours to ask questions, seek clarification, or explore topics more deeply.  

Studio Courses

Studio courses are hands-on, experiential courses typically found in the visual and performing arts. Students learn by doing - practicing techniques and developing creative work through ongoing projects. Instructors provide demonstrations, individual feedback, and group critiques to help students refine their skills and artistic voice. These courses may involve time spent working in the studio both during and outside of class. 

Laboratories

In the natural sciences, many courses include an associated laboratory component that gives students hands-on experience with the scientific process. In Yale’s state-of-the-art research facilities, students conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and write reports that interpret their findings. Lab sessions reinforce concepts introduced in lectures and provide practical training in scientific methods, tools, and safety procedures.

Course Modality

Yale Summer Session courses are offered in two formats: in-person or online. Each course description indicates the modality so students know whether it will be held in New Haven or delivered remotely. 

In-person courses meet at scheduled times in classrooms, laboratories, or studio spaces on Yale's campus. Instructors may incorporate on-campus field trips to Yale's libraries, museums, and other resources, or organize off-campus excursions in or around New Haven, Connecticut, or beyond. 

Online courses include required synchronous sessions, during which students attend live classes via videoconferencing at scheduled days and times. Some courses may include asynchronous components - such as watching recorded lectures or posting on discussion boards - that students complete on their own schedule. Learn more about Online Courses. 

Ready to experience a Yale education? 

Browse our course list and find the perfect class. We also have a page with tips for selecting a YSS courses.

What Is a Class Like at YSS?

Yale Summer Session is part of Yale College, the oldest part and undergraduate branch of Yale University. YSS shares Yale College’s basic educational principle, that an education is “to cultivate a broadly informed, highly disciplined intellect without specifying in advance how that intellect will be used. Such an approach to learning regards college as a phase of exploration, a place for the exercise of curiosity, and an opportunity for the discovery of new interests and abilities.” In fewer words, an education from Yale College is a liberal arts education. 

The College’s curriculum is broad and encourages students to take a diverse mix of courses, even as they concentrate their studies in one field by pursuing an academic major. In fact, Yale undergraduates are required to take a wide variety of courses to earn their degrees. At Yale, biologists write poetry, poets conduct anthropological research, and anthropologists study Shakespeare. 

YSS’s curriculum offers students the same opportunity to take a wide variety of courses. Every summer, more than 100 Yale College courses are offered through YSS. While students typically take five or six courses each semester during the academic year, YSS students take only one or two at once. Small class sizes, leading experts as instructors, and a community of scholars are all hallmarks of education at Yale. 

Types of Courses

What is a class at Yale Summer Session like? As part of the College, we have four types of courses. 

Seminars

In a seminar, a small group of students meet for an extended amount of time. Seminars center around close reading, critical thinking, and active participation.  Students are expected to complete assigned readings before class and come prepared to engage in thoughtful dialogue with their instructor and classmates. While the instructor will guide the discussion, students play a central role in shaping the conversation. Because of their smaller size and interactive format, seminars often foster strong connections between students and professors, as well as deep engagement with the course material. 

Lectures

In a lecture, students generally meet in a large group several times each week. The instructor delivers the course material in a structured talk, often supported by slides, videos, or other multimedia tools. Lectures may be less interactive than seminars, though students are encouraged to take notes as well as ask or answer questions. Often, students can stay after class or attend office hours to ask questions, seek clarification, or explore topics more deeply.  

Studio Courses

Studio courses are hands-on, experiential courses typically found in the visual and performing arts. Students learn by doing - practicing techniques and developing creative work through ongoing projects. Instructors provide demonstrations, individual feedback, and group critiques to help students refine their skills and artistic voice. These courses may involve time spent working in the studio both during and outside of class. 

Laboratories

In the natural sciences, many courses include an associated laboratory component that gives students hands-on experience with the scientific process. In Yale’s state-of-the-art research facilities, students conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and write reports that interpret their findings. Lab sessions reinforce concepts introduced in lectures and provide practical training in scientific methods, tools, and safety procedures.

Course Modality

Yale Summer Session courses are offered in two formats: in-person or online. Each course description indicates the modality so students know whether it will be held in New Haven or delivered remotely. 

In-person courses meet at scheduled times in classrooms, laboratories, or studio spaces on Yale's campus. Instructors may incorporate on-campus field trips to Yale's libraries, museums, and other resources, or organize off-campus excursions in or around New Haven, Connecticut, or beyond. 

Online courses include required synchronous sessions, during which students attend live classes via videoconferencing at scheduled days and times. Some courses may include asynchronous components - such as watching recorded lectures or posting on discussion boards - that students complete on their own schedule. Learn more about Online Courses. 

Ready to experience a Yale education? 

Browse our course list and find the perfect class. We also have a page with tips for selecting a YSS courses.

On This Page

Yale Summer Session is part of Yale College, the oldest part and undergraduate branch of Yale University. YSS shares Yale College’s basic educational principle, that an education is “to cultivate a broadly informed, highly disciplined intellect without specifying in advance how that intellect will be used. Such an approach to learning regards college as a phase of exploration, a place for the exercise of curiosity, and an opportunity for the discovery of new interests and abilities.” In fewer words, an education from Yale College is a liberal arts education. 

The College’s curriculum is broad and encourages students to take a diverse mix of courses, even as they concentrate their studies in one field by pursuing an academic major. In fact, Yale undergraduates are required to take a wide variety of courses to earn their degrees. At Yale, biologists write poetry, poets conduct anthropological research, and anthropologists study Shakespeare. 

YSS’s curriculum offers students the same opportunity to take a wide variety of courses. Every summer, more than 100 Yale College courses are offered through YSS. While students typically take five or six courses each semester during the academic year, YSS students take only one or two at once. Small class sizes, leading experts as instructors, and a community of scholars are all hallmarks of education at Yale. 

Types of Courses

What is a class at Yale Summer Session like? As part of the College, we have four types of courses. 

Seminars

In a seminar, a small group of students meet for an extended amount of time. Seminars center around close reading, critical thinking, and active participation.  Students are expected to complete assigned readings before class and come prepared to engage in thoughtful dialogue with their instructor and classmates. While the instructor will guide the discussion, students play a central role in shaping the conversation. Because of their smaller size and interactive format, seminars often foster strong connections between students and professors, as well as deep engagement with the course material. 

Lectures

In a lecture, students generally meet in a large group several times each week. The instructor delivers the course material in a structured talk, often supported by slides, videos, or other multimedia tools. Lectures may be less interactive than seminars, though students are encouraged to take notes as well as ask or answer questions. Often, students can stay after class or attend office hours to ask questions, seek clarification, or explore topics more deeply.  

Studio Courses

Studio courses are hands-on, experiential courses typically found in the visual and performing arts. Students learn by doing - practicing techniques and developing creative work through ongoing projects. Instructors provide demonstrations, individual feedback, and group critiques to help students refine their skills and artistic voice. These courses may involve time spent working in the studio both during and outside of class. 

Laboratories

In the natural sciences, many courses include an associated laboratory component that gives students hands-on experience with the scientific process. In Yale’s state-of-the-art research facilities, students conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and write reports that interpret their findings. Lab sessions reinforce concepts introduced in lectures and provide practical training in scientific methods, tools, and safety procedures.

Course Modality

Yale Summer Session courses are offered in two formats: in-person or online. Each course description indicates the modality so students know whether it will be held in New Haven or delivered remotely. 

In-person courses meet at scheduled times in classrooms, laboratories, or studio spaces on Yale's campus. Instructors may incorporate on-campus field trips to Yale's libraries, museums, and other resources, or organize off-campus excursions in or around New Haven, Connecticut, or beyond. 

Online courses include required synchronous sessions, during which students attend live classes via videoconferencing at scheduled days and times. Some courses may include asynchronous components - such as watching recorded lectures or posting on discussion boards - that students complete on their own schedule. Learn more about Online Courses. 

Ready to experience a Yale education? 

Browse our course list and find the perfect class. We also have a page with tips for selecting a YSS courses.

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