Mini-Term classes made their debut at UT in 1978, under the aegis of the Division of Continuing Education. The Mini-Term, scheduled between fall and winter quarters, lasted two weeks and provided an opportunity to earn up to five credit hours, but students could take only one course. Classes were offered by 40 departments and were taught by senior faculty members. In 1979 a session immediately before the fall quarter was added, which was less popular than the one following the fall term. In the early 2000s, the program was modified to provide a single three-week mini-term between the spring and summer semesters, in which a student could enroll for one concentrated credit course.