USC
University of Southern California
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Academic Policies

Students are expected to be familiar with university policies and to monitor their own academic progress. They should keep all records of official grades earned, degree requirements met, transfer credits accepted and actions taken on requests for substitutions or exceptions to university policies and regulations.

Academic Calendar

Summer Session 2010

May 17-18Registration
May 19Classes Begin
May 31Memorial Day, University Holiday
July 1Thesis/Dissertation Submission
July 5Independence Day, University Holiday
August 10Classes End

Fall Semester 2010

August 16-20Open Registration
August 23Classes Begin
September 6Labor Day, University Holiday
November 1Thesis/Dissertation Submission
November 25-27Thanksgiving, University Holiday
December 3Classes End
December 4-7Study Days
December 8-15Exams
December 16-January 9Winter Recess

Spring Semester 2011

January 6-7Open Registration
January 10Classes Begin
January 17Martin Luther King Day, University Holiday
February 21Presidents’ Day, University Holiday
March 14-19Spring Recess
April 1Thesis/Dissertation Submission
April 29 Classes End
April 30-May 3Study Days
May 4-11Exams
May 13Commencement

Summer Session 2011

May 16-17Registration
May 18Classes Begin
May 30Memorial Day, University Holiday
July 1Thesis/Dissertation Submission
July 4Independence Day, University Holiday
August 9Classes End

Fall Semester 2011

August 15-19Open Registration
August 22Classes Begin
September 5Labor Day, University Holiday
November 1Thesis/Dissertation Submission
November 23-26Thanksgiving, University Holiday
December 2Classes End
December 3-6Study Days
December 7-14Exams
December 15-January 8Winter Recess

Spring Semester 2012

January 5-6Open Registration
January 9Classes Begin
January 16Martin Luther King Day, University Holiday
February 20Presidents’ Day, University Holiday
March 12-17Spring Recess
April 1Thesis/Dissertation Submission
April 27Classes End
April 28-May 1Study Days
May 2-9Exams
May 11Commencement

Summer Session 2012

May 14-15Registration
May 16Classes Begin
May 28Memorial Day, University Holiday
July 1Thesis/Dissertation Submission
July 4Independence Day, University Holiday
August 7Classes End

Academic Calendars of the Professional Schools

Certain professional schools schedule the academic year according to differing calendars. These differences affect the deadlines for certain student actions (e.g., dropping or adding courses, registering for courses, obtaining refunds of tuition). Detailed information on these academic calendars is available from the individual schools.

Medicine
Consult the Office of Student Affairs, Keck School of Medicine, for the academic calendars of professional medical degree programs. The graduate programs (Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy) as well as the Primary Care Physician Assistant Program follow the university calendar.

Dentistry
The academic year of the Ostrow School of Dentistry is divided into three 14-week trimesters. The graduate program in craniofacial biology follows the university calendar.

Independent Health Professions
Programs in occupational science and occupational therapy and biokinesiology and physical therapy follow the university calendar. However, certain programs require entrance to a post-summer session.