Lamar University Academic Calendar 2026-2027: Important Dates

The Lamar University academic calendar 2026-2027 serves as the official operational guide for undergraduate, graduate, and online students across the Beaumont campus.

Whether you are an incoming freshman setting up your primary schedule in Self-Service Banner, a distance learner navigating 8-week online modules, or a senior preparing for degree clearance, referencing the official Lamar University academic calendar 2026 and 2027 schedule ensures you satisfy vital registration windows, drop-with-refund cutoffs, and administrative deadlines without disruption.

Lamar University operates on a traditional semester-based academic structure consisting of Fall, Spring, and multi-track Summer terms.

Primary semesters across the Lamar University academic calendar 2026-2027 feature approximately 15 weeks of active instruction, followed by a dedicated final examination week.

To maintain full-time undergraduate status for federal financial aid, Texas grant programs, and campus housing, students enroll in 12 to 18 credit hours per semester, aiming for 15 credits per term to stay on pace for four-year graduation. LU also provides flexible accelerated 8-week terms (Parts of Term 2 and 3) for LU Online degree programs.

Key academic milestones shape the tempo for the full school year. On the Fall 2026 timeline, regular classes officially launch on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with the 12th class day serving as the official census date for course drops and tuition adjustments.

The semester incorporates observed breaks aligned with the official Lamar University holiday calendar—including Labor Day, Thanksgiving Recess, and Energy Conservation closures—before concluding with final exams and Fall Commencement in December.

Looking ahead to the second half of the year, Lamar University spring 2027 registration opens for continuing students in late October 2026, leading into the start of Spring 2027 classes on Tuesday, January 19, 2027.

Use the detailed sections below to navigate complete add/drop refund cutoffs via Self-Service Banner, Q-drop deadlines, official campus holiday closures, and final examination timetables for the entire 2026–2027 academic year.

Lamar University Academic Calendar Fall 2026

1. Academic advising for Fall 2026 begins on Monday, February 23, 2026.
2. Registration begins at 7:00 am on Monday, March 30, 2026. Before registering, students with a mandatory advisement hold are required to make an appointment with their academic advisor in order for the hold to be removed. Students with an Accounts Receivable hold need to contact Cashiering at 409-880-8390. Course schedules are available online only.
3. The final deadline for admissions applications and documents for international students is Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm. International students who do not require Lamar University to issue their I-20 can follow the domestic admissions deadlines.
4. The admissions application deadline for domestic students is Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm.
5. The admissions document submission deadline for domestic students is Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
6. Financial aid disbursement takes place on Monday, August 10, 2026.
7. The payment due date is Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
8. The faculty’s first day on campus is Thursday, August 13, 2026.
9. Cardinal Village move-in for new residents takes place on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
10. Cardinal Village move-in for returning residents takes place on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
11. Applications for December 2026 graduation begin on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
12. Lamar University Fall 2026 classes start on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. It is the first day of classes.
13. The last day to register is Thursday, August 20, 2026.
14. Final payment is due by 3:00 pm on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Courses are dropped for students who have not paid in full or made payment arrangements.
15. Census day and the last day for a full refund on dropped courses (not withdrawn) is Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Students should contact Registration@lamar.edu for drop information and Cashiering at 409-880-8390 for refund questions.
16. The Labor Day Holiday is observed on Monday, September 7, 2026. No classes are held, and campus offices are closed for the holiday.
17. The last day to drop or withdraw is Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Students should see the General Catalog or contact Registration@lamar.edu for more information.
18. The last day to apply and pay for December 2026 graduation is Saturday, October 31, 2026.
19. Lamar University Thanksgiving Break 2026 takes place from Monday, November 23, 2026, through Friday, November 27, 2026. No classes are held, and campus offices are closed for the holiday from Thursday, November 26, 2026, through Friday, November 27, 2026.
20. The last class day is Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
21. Final exams begin on Thursday, December 3, 2026, and conclude on Thursday, December 10, 2026.
22. The commencement ceremony for Doctoral Candidates from all colleges takes place on Thursday, December 10, 2026, at 6:00 pm at the University Theatre. Students should arrive by 5:00 pm.
23. The commencement ceremony for the Colleges of Business and Engineering takes place on Friday, December 11, 2026, at 9:00 am at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. Students should arrive by 8:00 am. Students should visit the Graduation website for detailed graduation instructions and ceremony information.
24. The commencement ceremony for the Colleges of Education and Human Development and Fine Arts and Communications takes place on Friday, December 11, 2026, at 5:00 pm at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. Students should arrive by 4:00 pm.
25. The commencement ceremony for the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Nursing and Health Professions takes place on Friday, December 11, 2026, at 1:00 pm at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center. Students should arrive by 12:00 pm.
26. Grades are due by 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 15, 2026. Due to the amount of time required for processing, grades are typically available for student viewing in the system the following morning and are updated throughout the day.

Lamar University Academic Calendar Spring 2027

1. Academic advising for Spring 2027 begins on Monday, October 5, 2026.
2. Registration for Spring 2027 begins on Monday, November 2, 2026.
3. The final deadline for international students to submit admissions applications and required documents is Tuesday, December 1, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.
4. The deadline for domestic students to submit admissions applications is Tuesday, December 29, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.
5. The deadline for domestic students to submit admissions documents is Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
6. Financial aid disbursement begins on Monday, January 11, 2027.
7. The payment due date is Tuesday, January 12, 2027.
8. Faculty return to campus on Thursday, January 14, 2027.
9. Cardinal Village move-in takes place on Friday, January 15, 2027.
10. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 18, 2027, and campus offices are closed. This holiday applies to all synchronous and on-campus courses but does not apply to asynchronous online courses.
11. The first day of Spring 2027 classes is Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
12. Applications for May 2027 graduation open on Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
13. The last day to register is Thursday, January 21, 2027.
14. Census Day and the last day to receive a full refund for dropped courses, excluding withdrawn courses, are Wednesday, February 3, 2027.
15. The final payment deadline is Thursday, February 4, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. Students who have not paid in full or made payment arrangements have their courses dropped.
16. Lamar University Spring Break 2027 takes place from Monday, March 15, 2027, through Friday, March 19, 2027, and no classes are held. This break applies to all synchronous and on-campus courses but does not apply to asynchronous online courses.
17. The last day to drop or withdraw from a course is Wednesday, March 24, 2027.
18. Good Friday is observed on Friday, March 26, 2027, and no classes are held. This holiday applies to all synchronous and on-campus courses but does not apply to asynchronous online courses.
19. The last day to apply for May 2027 graduation is Friday, April 2, 2027.
20. The last day of classes is Wednesday, May 5, 2027.
21. Final examinations take place from Thursday, May 6, 2027, through Friday, May 14, 2027.
22. The commencement ceremony for doctoral candidates from all colleges takes place on Thursday, May 13, 2027.
23. The commencement ceremony for the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Nursing and Health Professions, and the Department of Leadership and Professional Studies takes place on Friday, May 14, 2027.
24. The commencement ceremony for the Colleges of Business and Engineering takes place on Friday, May 14, 2027.
25. The commencement ceremony for the Colleges of Education and Human Development and Fine Arts and Communication takes place on Friday, May 14, 2027.
26. Grades are due by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, May 17, 2027.
27. Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 31, 2027, and campus offices are closed. This holiday applies to all synchronous and on-campus courses but does not apply to asynchronous online courses.

For more on the Lamar University academic calendar 2026-2027, visit the Lamar University calendar website.