Academic Calendar

American University Academic Calendar 2026-2027

By eriq elikplim

Share

The American University academic calendar 2026-2027 serves as the official operational roadmap for undergraduate, graduate, and law students across the Washington, D.C. campus.

Whether you are an incoming freshman preparing for welcome week or a senior tracking final degree clearance deadlines, referencing the official American University academic calendar 26-27 schedule ensures you hit crucial registration appointment windows, tuition refund cutoffs, and university recesses without penalty.

American University (AU) operates on a traditional semester-based academic system comprising Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, alongside an optional Winter Intersession.

Primary terms on the American University academic calendar feature 15 weeks of active classroom instruction, followed by dedicated study days and a comprehensive final examination week.

To maintain full-time undergraduate status for financial aid, institutional aid, and residence hall eligibility, students must register for 12 to 18 credit hours per semester, with 15 credits per term remaining the standard target to complete 120-credit degree tracks in four years. AU also delivers flexible 8-week modules and multi-session Summer terms for accelerated coursework.

Key academic milestones mark the cadence of the entire year. Under the American University academic calendar for Fall 2026, classes officially launch on Monday, August 31, 2026, incorporating breaks for Labor Day, Fall Break (October 16), and Thanksgiving Recess (November 25–29) before concluding with final exams from December 14–19 and Fall Commencement on December 20, 2026.

The American University academic calendar spring 2027 session kicks off on Monday, January 11, 2027, highlighting key breaks including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Spring Break (March 8–14, 2027) before closing out the regular American University academic calendar 2027 year with May Commencement.

Use the detailed sections below to navigate complete add/drop deadlines via Eagle Service, pass/fail grade election cutoffs, official university holiday closures, and final exam dates for the full academic year.

American University Academic Calendar Fall 2026

  1. Payment for Fall is due on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
  2. Pre-approved early move-in is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026.
  3. First-year and new transfer student move-in is scheduled from Sunday, August 23, 2026, to Monday, August 24, 2026.
  4. New Student Orientation is held from Tuesday, August 25, 2026, to Friday, August 28, 2026.
  5. Welcome Week is held from Saturday, August 29, 2026, to Friday, September 4, 2026.
  6. American University fall 2026 classes start on Monday, August 31, 2026. It is the first day of classes.
  7. Labor Day is observed on Monday, September 7, 2026. No classes are scheduled, and university offices are closed.
  8. The last day to submit the Health Insurance Waiver for the 2026–2027 annual/open enrollment period is Monday, September 14, 2026.
  9. The last day to add a class, internship, independent reading or research, or community service-learning project is Monday, September 14, 2026. This is also the last day to drop with a 100% refund and without a “W” recorded.
  10. The withdrawal period begins on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. A “W” grade is recorded, and a 50% refund is available.
  11. The SIS Online MIS Immersion Weekend is held from Friday, September 18, 2026, to Sunday, September 20, 2026.
  12. The last day to withdraw with a 50% refund is Monday, September 21, 2026.
  13. The last day to withdraw with a 25% refund is Monday, September 28, 2026. No refunds are available after this date.
  14. The schedule of classes for Spring is published on Monday, October 5, 2026.
  15. Family Weekend is held from Friday, October 9, 2026, to Sunday, October 11, 2026.
  16. American University Fall Break 2026 is observed on Friday, October 16, 2026. No classes are scheduled, but university offices are open.
  17. Spring Priority Registration for graduate students begins, and Winter Intersession Registration begins, on Monday, October 26, 2026.
  18. The last day to apply for graduation is Monday, October 26, 2026.
  19. Spring Priority Registration for undergraduate students begins on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
  20. The last day to withdraw or change a grade option is Friday, November 6, 2026.
  21. Theses and dissertations are due in Deans’ Offices for degree candidates on Friday, November 13, 2026.
  22. The Health Insurance Waiver opens for incoming Spring 2027 students, and Spring 2027 open enrollment begins, on Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
  23. Tuesday classes are cancelled, and Friday classes meet, on Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
  24. American University Thanksgiving Break 2026 is observed from Wednesday, November 25, 2026, to Sunday, November 29, 2026. No classes are scheduled, and university offices are closed on Thursday and Friday.
  25. Classes end on Friday, December 11, 2026. SIS Online classes end on Saturday, December 19, 2026.
  26. Theses and dissertations are due in the Registrar’s Office for degree candidates on Friday, December 11, 2026.
  27. Study Days are held from Saturday, December 12, 2026, to Sunday, December 13, 2026. No classes are scheduled, excluding SIS Online courses.
  28. Final examinations are held from Monday, December 14, 2026, to Saturday, December 19, 2026. SIS Online courses are excluded.
  29. SIS Online classes end on Saturday, December 19, 2026.
  30. The Commencement Ceremony for August and December graduates is held on Sunday, December 20, 2026.
  31. American University Winter Break is observed from Monday, December 21, 2026, to Sunday, January 3, 2027. University offices are closed.
  32. The final grades deadline is Tuesday, December 22, 2026.
  33. The official degree award date, which appears on December diplomas, is Wednesday, December 23, 2026.

American University Academic Calendar Spring 2027

  1. Payment for Spring is due on Wednesday, January 6, 2027.
  2. New Student Orientation is held from Thursday, January 7, 2027, to Saturday, January 9, 2027.
  3. Winter Welcome is held from Sunday, January 10, 2027, to Friday, January 15, 2027.
  4. American University Spring 2027 classes start on Monday, January 11, 2027.
  5. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 18, 2027. No classes are scheduled, and university offices are closed.
  6. The last day to add a class, internship, independent reading or research, or community service-learning project is Monday, January 25, 2027. This is also the last day to drop with a 100% refund and without a “W” recorded.
  7. The withdrawal period begins on Tuesday, January 26, 2027. A “W” grade is recorded, and a 50% refund is available.
  8. The last day to submit the Health Insurance Waiver for incoming Spring 2027 students is Saturday, January 30, 2027.
  9. The last day to withdraw with a 50% refund is Monday, February 1, 2027.
  10. The last day to withdraw with a 25% refund is Monday, February 8, 2027. No refunds are available after this date.
  11. The schedule of classes for Summer and Fall is published on Monday, March 1, 2027.
  12. American University Spring Break 2027 is from Monday, March 8, 2027, to Sunday, March 14, 2027. No classes are scheduled, and university offices are open Monday through Friday.
  13. The last day to withdraw or change a grade option is Friday, March 19, 2027.
  14. The last day to apply for graduation is Monday, March 22, 2027.
  15. Summer Registration begins, and Fall Priority Registration for graduate students begins, on Monday, March 22, 2027.
  16. Fall Priority Registration for undergraduate students begins on Thursday, March 25, 2027.
  17. Theses and dissertations are due in Deans’ Offices for degree candidates on Friday, March 26, 2027.
  18. Classes end on Monday, April 26, 2027.
  19. Theses and dissertations are due in the Registrar’s Office for degree candidates on Monday, April 26, 2027.
  20. Study Days are held from Tuesday, April 27, 2027, to Wednesday, April 28, 2027. No classes are scheduled, excluding SIS Online courses.
  21. Final examinations are held from Thursday, April 29, 2027, to Wednesday, May 5, 2027. SIS Online courses are excluded.
  22. Payment for Summer is due on Saturday, May 1, 2027.
  23. SIS Online classes end on Monday, May 3, 2027.
  24. Commencement Weekend activities, excluding WCL, are held from Friday, May 7, 2027, to Saturday, May 8, 2027.
  25. The final grades deadline is Saturday, May 8, 2027.
  26. The official degree award date, which appears on May diplomas, is Sunday, May 9, 2027.

For more on the American University Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the American University Registrar website.

eriq elikplim
eriq elikplimhttps://acadcalendar.com
Eric Elikplim is the lead editor of AcadCalendar.com. Eriq draws on 10 years of experience in edtech and project management. He has collaborated directly with multiple universities, establishing processes to cross-check term dates, registration deadlines, and exam schedules. Beyond calendar data, Eriq contributes thought leadership on academic productivity: he has authored articles on semester planning, and consulted with student organizations to refine reminder features and user experience.

Table of contents [hide]

Read more

Explore