Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is introducing a new Winterim term, offering students an opportunity to earn college credits during winter break through a selection of fully online, accelerated courses.
Classes will run Dec. 22, 2026, through Jan. 18, 2027, allowing students to complete coursework in approximately four weeks while maintaining flexibility during the holiday season.
Designed for both current DMACC students and students attending four-year colleges and universities, Winterim provides a convenient option to stay on track for graduation, make up credits, or get ahead in a degree program. All Winterim classes are offered online, allowing students to participate from anywhere.
"Winterim gives students an additional pathway to achieve their educational goals on a timeline that works for them," said Joel Lundstrom, Executive Dean for Distance Learning. "It is a great option for both returning students who want to lighten their spring semester load with time to devoted over the break, as well as many guest students attending 4-year universities."
The new term includes a variety of high-demand general education classes which commonly transfer to four-year institutions, including courses in in Sociology, Psychology, Composition and Communication, and Business, among others. Enrollment is limited to four credits during the Winterim term.
Visiting students who completed and transferred summer term credits to their four-year institution in 2025 highlighted the value of DMACC's flexible course offerings in their responses to a survey about their experience.
"Being able to take two courses at DMACC over the summer helped me stay on track to graduate from Drake on time," said Elena Ingram. "If those courses hadn't been available at DMACC over the summer, I would have been behind a whole semester."
For aspiring law student Kaitlyn Willis, earning DMACC credits early provided both time and cost savings.
"It was really important to me to get any sort of head start on college classes that I could," Willis said. "I saved myself time and money using DMACC credits."
Students also praise the convenience of DMACC's online learning environment.
"DMACC's online format has made it so easy for me to access all of my textbooks and assignments," said Edna Kovac. "This has made it easier for me to set goals about being active in the class and becoming more educated and productive."
Because Winterim courses cover the same material as a traditional semester course in a condensed timeframe, students should expect nearly daily participation (excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) in engaging coursework, quizzes and discussion activities.
Lundstrom added that support personnel will be available during the break, including online tutoring options.
"Our goal is to make sure students are successful in all programs we offer," Lundstrom said.
Registration for Winterim is open to new and guest students. Learn more at winterim.dmacc.edu.