University of Southern California

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 2014

May 19–20 Registration
May 21 Classes Begin
May 26 Memorial Day, University Holiday
July 1 Thesis/Dissertation Submission
July 4 Independence Day, University Holiday
August 12 Classes End

Fall Semester 2014

August 18–22 Open Registration
August 25 Classes Begin
September 1 Labor Day, University Holiday
November 3 Thesis/Dissertation Submission
November 26–29 Thanksgiving Break
December 5 Classes End
December 6–9 Study Days
December 10–17 Exams
December 18–January 11 Winter Recess

Spring Semester 2015

January 8–9 Open Registration
January 12 Classes Begin
January 19 Martin Luther King Day, University Holiday
February 16 Presidents’ Day, University Holiday
March 16–21 Spring Recess
April 1 Thesis/Dissertation Submission
May 1 Classes End
May 2–5 Study Days
May 6–13 Exams
May 15 Commencement

Summer Session 2015

May 18–19 Registration
May 20 Classes Begin
May 25 Memorial Day, University Holiday
July 1 Thesis/Dissertation Submission
July 3 Independence Day, University Holiday
August 11 Classes End

Fall Semester 2015

August 17–21 Open Registration
August 24 Classes Begin
September 7 Labor Day, University Holiday
November 2 Thesis/Dissertation Submission
November 25–28 Thanksgiving Break
December 4 Classes End
December 5–8 Study Days
December 9–16 Exams
December 17–January 10 Winter Recess

Spring Semester 2016

January 7–8 Open Registration
January 11 Classes Begin
January 18 Martin Luther King Day, University Holiday
February 15 Presidents’ Day, University Holiday
March 14–19 Spring Recess
April 1 Thesis/Dissertation Submission
April 29 Classes End
April 30–May 3 Study Days
May 4–11 Exams
May 13 Commencement

Summer Session 2016

May 16–17 Registration
May 18 Classes Begin
May 30 Memorial Day, University Holiday
July 1 Thesis/Dissertation Submission
July 4 Independence Day, University Holiday
August 9 Classes 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 Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry is divided into three 14-week trimesters. Certain programs require entrance to a summer session. The graduate program in craniofacial biology, the online master’s program in advanced orofacial pain and oral medicine, and the online master’s program and online graduate certificate program in geriatric dentistry follow the university calendar.

Independent Health Professions

Programs in occupational science and occupational therapy and biokinesiology and physical therapy follow the university calendar. Certain programs require entrance to a summer session.