Academic Calendar

GULC Academic Calendar 2026-2027: Important Dates

By eriq elikplim

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The GULC academic calendar 2026-2027 provides J.D., LL.M., and executive law students with the primary operational roadmap required to navigate the upcoming academic year at Georgetown University Law Center.

Whether you are a first-year J.D. student organizing your orientation schedule, an upperclassman planning clinic externships, or a graduating candidate tracking final degree clearance, following the official Georgetown Law academic calendar 2026-2027 ensures you meet essential registration appointment windows, add/drop refund cutoffs, and examination deferral deadlines without penalty.

Georgetown University Law Center operates on a traditional semester-based academic structure enhanced by an intensive January intersession. The primary Fall and Spring terms across the Georgetown academic calendar 2026-2027 each encompass approximately 15 weeks of active instruction, ending with dedicated reading days and a comprehensive final exam period.

To maintain full-time standing in the J.D. program for financial aid and residency requirements, students carry between 12 and 17 credit hours per semester (with 13–15 credits serving as the typical full-time benchmark).

In addition to standard terms, GULC features a specialized “Week One” elective term in early January, offering 1-credit experiential and simulation courses, as well as multi-track Summer sessions for accelerated coursework.

Critical key dates set the tempo for the full law school year. Under the Fall 2026 timeline, orientation for incoming first-year and transfer students runs from August 17–21, 2026, followed by the official start of classes on Monday, August 24, 2026.

The Fall term incorporates Labor Day, Mid-Semester Holiday (October 12), and Thanksgiving Recess (November 25–29) before concluding with final examinations from December 3–14, 2026.

The Spring 2027 semester opens with Week One courses on Monday, January 4, 2027, leading into regular semester-long classes on January 11, 2027, Spring Recess, and May Commencement.

Use the detailed sections below to browse complete add/drop refund cutoffs via MyAccess, Credit/No-Credit election cutoffs, official holiday closures, and final exam timetables for the entire 2026–2027 academic year.

GULC Academic Calendar Fall 2026

  1. Tuition is due for first-year J.D. students and incoming graduate students on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
  2. Tuition is due for all continuing, transfer, and visiting students on Monday, August 17, 2026.
  3. Orientation for incoming J.D. transfer students is held on Monday, August 17, 2026.
  4. Orientation for first-year J.D. students is held from Monday, August 17, 2026, to Friday, August 21, 2026.
  5. Orientation for incoming graduate students is held from Monday, August 17, 2026, to Friday, August 21, 2026.
  6. GULC Fall 2026 classes begin for all students on Monday, August 24, 2026.
  7. The last day to add or drop fall classes is Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
  8. Labor Day Holiday is observed on Monday, September 7, 2026. No classes meet.
  9. The Mid-Semester Holiday is observed on Monday, October 12, 2026. No classes meet.
  10. Monday classes meet instead of Tuesday classes on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
  11. Minicourse and Bookends Take-Home Exams are held from Friday, October 16, 2026, to Friday, October 23, 2026.
  12. The Evening Division Legal Practice Final In-Class and Take-Home Exam Period is held from Thursday, November 5, 2026, to Monday, November 16, 2026.
  13. The Day Division Legal Practice Final In-Class and Take-Home Exam Period is held from Friday, November 6, 2026, to Monday, November 16, 2026.
  14. The last day of classes is Tuesday, November 24, 2026.
  15. GULC Thanksgiving Break 2026 is observed from Wednesday, November 25, 2026, to Sunday, November 29, 2026. No classes meet.
  16. Rescheduled classes and reading days are held from Monday, November 30, 2026, to Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
  17. Final In-Class and Take-Home Exams are held from Thursday, December 3, 2026, to Monday, December 14, 2026. Faculty may choose to have an abbreviated exam window.
  18. All papers are due on Monday, December 14, 2026, unless another due date is established by the professor.
  19. Fall 2026 Exam Deferral dates are held from Tuesday, December 15, 2026, to Friday, December 18, 2026.

GULC Academic Calendar Spring 2027

  1. Week One elective mini courses begin on Monday, January 4, 2027. Students who elect to take a Week One class are required to attend all classes. Some clinics may require students to begin clinic activities during this week.
  2. Spring tuition is due for all students on Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
  3. Regular, Spring 2027 semester-long classes begin for all students on Monday, January 11, 2027.
  4. Week One Take-Home Exams are held from Friday, January 15, 2027, to Friday, January 22, 2027.
  5. Martin Luther King Holiday is observed on Monday, January 18, 2027. No classes meet.
  6. The last day to add or drop spring classes is Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
  7. Presidents’ Day Holiday is observed on Monday, February 15, 2027. No classes meet.
  8. Monday classes meet instead of Tuesday classes on Tuesday, February 16, 2027.
  9. GULC Spring Break 2027 is held from Sunday, February 28, 2027, to Sunday, March 7, 2027. No classes meet.
  10. Minicourse and Bookends Take-Home Exams are held from Tuesday, March 9, 2027, to Tuesday, March 16, 2027.
  11. Easter Break is held from Friday, March 26, 2027, to Sunday, March 28, 2027. No classes meet.
  12. The Evening Division Legal Practice Final In-Class and Take-Home Exam Period is held from Thursday, April 1, 2027, to Monday, April 12, 2027.
  13. The Day Division Legal Practice Final In-Class and Take-Home Exam Period is held from Friday, April 2, 2027, to Monday, April 12, 2027.
  14. The last day of classes is Wednesday, April 21, 2027. Friday classes meet instead of Wednesday classes.
  15. Rescheduled classes and reading days are held from Thursday, April 22, 2027, to Monday, April 26, 2027.
  16. Final In-Class and Take-Home Exams are held from Tuesday, April 27, 2027, to Tuesday, May 11, 2027. Faculty may choose to have an abbreviated exam window.
  17. All papers are due on Tuesday, May 11, 2027, unless another due date is established by the professor.
  18. Spring 2027 Exam Deferral dates are held from Wednesday, May 12, 2027, to Friday, May 14, 2027.
  19. The Commencement Ceremony is held on Sunday, May 23, 2027. Spring degrees are officially conferred on Wednesday, June 2, 2027.

For more on the GULC Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the Georgetown University Law Center 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.

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