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General Guidelines for Developing the Academic Calendar

(Last revised April 2025)

The Academic Calendar at American University is published five years in advance on the Office of the University Registrar's website. 

  • Fall Semester begins on the last Monday in August.
  • Fall 8 Week I begins on the last Monday in August.
  • Fall 8 Week II begins on the 9th Monday of the semester.
  • Spring Semester begins on the second Monday in January.
  • Spring 8 Week I begins on the second Monday in January.
  • Spring 8 Week II begins on the 10th Monday of the semester. (After Spring Break)
  • Summer Session begins on the Monday following the second Sunday in May.
  • Summer 8 Week begins on the Monday following the second Sunday in May.
  • Summer 7 Week I begins on the Monday following the second Sunday in May.
  • Summer 7 Week II begins on the 8th Monday of the summer session.
  • Summer 6 Week I begins on the 2nd Monday of the summer session.
  • Summer 6 Week II begins on the 8th Monday of the summer session.
  • Summer 3 Week begins on the 2nd Monday of the summer session.

Priority registration begins in October for Spring classes and in March for Summer and Fall classes. General registration is open from the end of priority registration through the last day to drop a class.

Refunds, adds/drops/withdrawals, and grade changes for nonstandard classes are calculated proportionately, based on the percentage of the course completed. For more information on refunds, adds/drops/withdrawals, and grade changes for classes, please visit Refunds for Course Drops and Withdrawals. 

For the most up-to-date list of university holidays and breaks, please visit Holidays | American University, Washington, DC.

For information about official degree conferral dates, please refer to the Establishing Degree Conferral Dates Policy.

  • Spring Break is the week following midterms (generally after 8 weeks of classes).
  • Fall Break (no classes; university offices open) occurs on the Friday of the 7th week of classes.
  • On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Tuesday classes are canceled and Friday classes meet.
  • Theses and dissertations are due:
    • To deans’ offices four weeks before the last day of classes (spring and fall).
    • To the Registrar’s Office on the last day of classes (spring and fall).
    • For summer graduates: to deans’ offices three weeks before the end of summer sessions, and to the Registrar’s Office at the end of summer sessions.
  • Final grades are due 72 hours after the final exam.