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.