USM Academic Calendar 2026-2027: Important Dates

USM Academic Calendar 2026-2027 provides students, faculty, and administrative staff with the essential roadmap for navigating key academic dates and university deadlines throughout the upcoming school year.

Maintained by the Office of the Registrar, this master schedule details important administrative windows—including priority course registration, tuition payment dates, add/drop periods, campus holidays, and commencement ceremonies.

Staying aligned with the official University of Southern Mississippi academic calendar ensures Golden Eagles stay on track with degree requirements while avoiding registration holds or financial penalties.

The University of Southern Mississippi operates on a standard semester-based system comprising a Fall semester, a Spring semester, and flexible Summer sessions (including accelerated 8-week terms and full-session options).

A standard term consists of 15 weeks of active classroom instruction, followed by a dedicated week of final examinations.

To maintain full-time academic standing, undergraduate students must register for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester—with 15 credit hours recommended per term to ensure four-year graduation—while graduate students generally require 9 credit hours for full-time enrollment.

Planning for the USM academic calendar for Fall 2026 begins well before classes officially launch in late August 2026.

Course registration opens via the SOAR student portal during the preceding spring semester, giving students ample time to consult with academic advisors, finalize financial aid packages, and secure required courses prior to the drop/add deadline.

The fall term features regular academic pauses, including Labor Day, Fall Break in October, and Thanksgiving Break in late November, concluding with final exams and Winter Commencement in December.

Looking ahead to the second half of the academic year, the USM academic calendar for Spring 2027 resumes instruction in mid-January 2027.

Key mid-semester highlights include the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the highly anticipated USM Spring Break 2027 in March, and Spring Commencement ceremonies in May.

USM Academic Calendar Fall 2026

1. The deadline to file an undergraduate application for the Fall 2026 commencement degree is Wednesday, July 1, 2026, with a $50 application fee.
2. The first day to submit an undergraduate Fall 2026 Late Degree Application with a $75 late application fee is Thursday, July 2, 2026.
3. Fall Intersession classes take place from Monday, August 10, 2026, through Friday, August 21, 2026.
4. The last day to add or drop Fall Intersession classes without academic or financial penalty, receive a 100% refund, and add classes without instructor permission is Monday, August 10, 2026.
5. The last day to add a Fall Intersession course with instructor permission is Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
6. Fall Intersession classes meet on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
7. The priority deadline for Fall 2026 freshman and transfer admission is on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
8. The priority deadline for Fall 2026 readmission is on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
9. Final orientation and registration for new undergraduate students takes place on Monday, August 17, 2026.
10. The deadline to complete the process to clear an academic hold, including probation, continued probation, and suspension, is Friday, August 21, 2026, by 4:00 p.m.
11. The last day of Fall Intersession classes and final exams is Friday, August 21, 2026.
12. USM Fall 2026 classes start on Monday, August 24, 2026. It is the first day of classes. Full-term and Session I classes begin.
13. Late registration and the add/drop period begin on Monday, August 24, 2026, with a $50 late registration fee.
14. Saturday classes begin on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
15. The last day to add or drop Session I (8W1) classes without academic or financial penalty, receive a 100% refund, and add Session I classes without instructor permission is Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
16. The last day to add or drop full-term classes without academic or financial penalty, receive a 100% refund, and add full-term classes without instructor permission is Monday, August 31, 2026.
17. The deadline to submit an undergraduate Fall 2026 Late Degree Application with a $75 late application fee is Monday, August 31, 2026.
18. The first day to submit an undergraduate Fall 2026 Very Late Degree Application with a $125 late application fee is Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
19. The Labor Day Holiday takes place from Saturday, September 5, 2026, through Monday, September 7, 2026, and day and night classes do not meet during this period.
20. The last day to add a Session I (8W1) course with instructor permission is Friday, September 25, 2026.
21. The last day to withdraw from Session I (8W1) classes with a grade of W is Friday, October 2, 2026.
22. USM Fall Break 2026 takes place from Thursday, October 8, 2026, through Sunday, October 11, 2026, and Saturday courses meet during this period.
23. The priority deadline for Fall 2026 8-week-2 admission is on Friday, October 9, 2026.
24. The last day of classes and final examinations for Session I (8W1) Monday-Wednesday classes are on Monday, October 12, 2026.
25. The last day of classes and final examinations for Session I (8W1) Tuesday-Thursday classes are on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
26. Session II (8W2) Monday-Wednesday classes begin on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
27. Session II (8W2) Tuesday-Thursday classes begin on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
28. The last day to add or drop Session II (8W2) classes without academic or financial penalty, receive a 100% refund, and add Session II classes without instructor permission is Friday, October 16, 2026.
29. The last day to add a full-term course with instructor permission is Friday, October 30, 2026.
30. The last day to submit an undergraduate Fall 2026 Very Late Degree Application with a $125 late application fee is Saturday, October 31, 2026.
31. The last day for Summer 2026 graduates and Fall 2026 degree candidates to reserve a seat free of charge for the December commencement ceremony is Saturday, October 31, 2026.
32. The deadline to file an undergraduate degree application for Spring 2027 commencement with a $50 application fee is Sunday, November 1, 2026.
33. The deadline to file graduate degree applications for Spring 2027 commencement without a late fee is Sunday, November 1, 2026.
34. The first day to submit an undergraduate Fall 2026 Rush Degree Application with a $175 late application fee is Sunday, November 1, 2026.
35. Summer 2026 graduates and Fall 2026 degree candidates may begin reserving seats for the December commencement ceremony with a $100 fee on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
36. The first day to submit an undergraduate Spring 2027 Late Degree Application with a $75 late application fee is Monday, November 2, 2026.
37. All classes are held remotely on Thursday, November 5, 2026, due to arrangements for the James Madison football game at the Hattiesburg campus.
38. The last day to add a Session II (8W2) course with instructor permission is Friday, November 13, 2026.
39. The last day for Summer 2026 graduates and Fall 2026 degree candidates to reserve a seat for the December commencement ceremony with a $100 fee is Monday, November 16, 2026.
40. USM Thanksgiving Break 2026 takes place from Wednesday, November 25, 2026, through Sunday, November 29, 2026, and no class meetings, activities, tests, quizzes, or exams are held during this period.
41. The last day to drop full-term classes with a grade of W, drop Session II (8W2) courses with a grade of W, and withdraw from the University with a grade of W is Friday, November 27, 2026.
42. The last day to submit an undergraduate Fall 2026 Rush Degree Application with a $175 late application fee is Saturday, November 28, 2026.
43. The first day to submit an undergraduate Fall 2026 Extreme Degree Application with a $275 late application fee is Sunday, November 29, 2026.
44. Monday night examinations take place on Monday, November 30, 2026.
45. Tuesday night examinations take place on Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
46. Wednesday night examinations and the last day of final examinations for MW Session II (8W2) classes take place on Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
47. The last day to reserve a seat for Fall commencement is Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
48. Thursday night examinations and the last day of final examinations for TTH Session II (8W2) classes take place on Thursday, December 3, 2026.
49. Reading Day is on Friday, December 4, 2026.
50. Final examinations for all one-day-a-week Friday block and laboratory courses take place on Friday, December 4, 2026.
51. The last day to submit an undergraduate Fall 2026 Extreme Degree Application with a $275 late application fee is Friday, December 4, 2026.
52. Saturday final exams take place on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
53. Full-term final exams take place from Monday, December 7, 2026, through Thursday, December 10, 2026.
54. Commencement for all doctoral, specialist, and master’s students takes place at Reed Green Coliseum on Thursday, December 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
55. Final faculty grade submission is due in SOAR by 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 14, 2026.
56. The Registrar’s Office processes end-of-term grades from Tuesday, December 15, 2026, through Wednesday, December 16, 2026.
57. Grades become available for students who complete their course evaluations on Wednesday, December 16, 2026.
58. The last day to submit an undergraduate Spring 2027 Late Degree Application with a $75 late application fee is Thursday, December 31, 2026.

USM Academic Calendar Spring 2027

1. The priority deadline for Spring 2027 freshman and transfer admission is on Wednesday, January 20, 2027.
2. The priority deadline for Spring 2027 readmission is on Wednesday, January 20, 2027.
3. The priority deadline for Fall 2027 8-week-2 admission is on Friday, March 12, 2027.
4. Priority Advisement for Spring begins on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
5. Priority registration with enrollment appointments for Spring begins on Monday, October 12, 2026.
6. Open registration for Spring begins on Monday, October 19, 2026.
7. The first day to submit a Spring 2027 Very Late Degree Application with a $125 late application fee is on Friday, January 1, 2027.
8. Winter Intersession takes place from Monday, January 4, 2027, through Friday, January 15, 2027.
9. The last day to add or drop Intersession classes without academic or financial penalty and receive 100% tuition credit, as well as the last day to drop Intersession classes without a grade of W, is on Wednesday, January 6, 2027.
10. The deadline to begin a petition for clearance of an academic hold is on Friday, January 9, 2027.
11. Intersession classes meet on Saturday, January 9, 2027.
12. The last day to withdraw from Intersession classes with a grade of W is on Thursday, January 15, 2027.
13. The last day and final exams for Intersession classes are on Friday, January 15, 2027.
14. Final orientation and registration for new undergraduate students take place on Friday, January 15, 2027.
15. The Martin Luther King Holiday is observed on Monday, January 18, 2027, and no class meetings, activities, tests, quizzes, or exams are held.
16. USM Spring 2027 classes start on Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
17. Late registration and the add/drop period begin on Tuesday, January 19, 2027, with a $50 late registration fee.
18. Spring 2027 degree candidates may begin reserving seats free of charge for the May 2027 Commencement ceremonies on Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
19. The last day to add or drop Session I (8W1) classes without academic or financial penalty, receive 100% tuition credit, and drop without a grade of W is on Thursday, January 21, 2027.
20. Saturday classes begin on Saturday, January 23, 2027.
21. The last day to add or drop full-term classes without academic or financial penalty, receive 100% tuition credit, and drop without a grade of W is on Tuesday, January 26, 2027.
22. All approved drops for full-term classes are assigned a grade of W on Wednesday, January 27, 2027.
23. Saturday classes meet on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
24. Mardi Gras Break takes place from Sunday, February 7, 2027, through Tuesday, February 9, 2027, and no class meetings, activities, tests, quizzes, or exams are held.
25. The last day to withdraw from Session I (8W1) courses with a grade of W is on Monday, March 1, 2027.
26. Saturday classes meet on Saturday, March 6, 2027.
27. USM Spring Break 2027 takes place from Sunday, March 7, 2027, through Sunday, March 14, 2027, and no class meetings, activities, tests, quizzes, or exams are held.
28. The last day of classes and final examinations for TTH Session I (8W1) classes are on Tuesday, March 16, 2027.
29. The last day of classes and final examinations for MW Session I (8W1) classes is on Wednesday, March 17, 2027.
30. Session II MW (8W2) classes begin on Thursday, March 18, 2027.
31. Session II TTH (8W2) classes begin on Monday, March 22, 2027.
32. The last day to add or drop Session II (8W2) classes without academic or financial penalty and receive 100% tuition credit is on Thursday, March 25, 2027.
33. The Easter Break Holiday takes place from Friday, March 26, 2027, through Sunday, March 28, 2027, and no class meetings, activities, tests, quizzes, or exams are held.
34. The last day to submit a Spring 2027 Very Late Degree Application with a $125 late application fee is on Saturday, March 27, 2027.
35. The last day for Spring 2027 degree candidates to reserve seats free of charge for May 2027 Commencement ceremonies is on Saturday, March 27, 2027.
36. The last day to file an application for a degree for Summer 2027 Commencement with a $50 fee is on Sunday, March 28, 2027.
37. The first day to submit a Spring 2027 Rush Degree Application with a $175 late application fee is on Sunday, March 28, 2027.
38. Spring 2027 degree candidates may begin reserving seats for May 2027 Commencement ceremonies with a $100 fee on Sunday, March 28, 2027.
39. The deadline to file graduate degree applications for Summer 2027 Commencement without a late fee is on Thursday, April 1, 2027.
40. The last day to submit a Spring 2027 Rush Degree Application with a $175 late application fee is on Wednesday, April 21, 2027.
41. The first day to submit a Spring 2027 Extreme Exception Degree Application with a $275 late application fee is on Thursday, April 22, 2027.
42. The last day for Spring 2027 degree candidates to reserve seats for May Commencement ceremonies with a $100 fee and the deadline to submit a Spring 2027 Extreme Exception Degree Application with a $275 late application fee are on Sunday, April 25, 2027.
43. The last day to drop Session II (8W2) courses with a grade of W is on Tuesday, April 27, 2027.
44. The last day to drop full-term classes with a grade of W and withdraw from the University with a grade of W is on Saturday, May 1, 2027.
45. Monday night final examinations take place on Monday, May 3, 2027.
46. Tuesday night final examinations take place on Tuesday, May 4, 2027.
47. Wednesday night final examinations, the last day of MW full-term courses, and final examinations for MW Session II (8W2) classes take place on Wednesday, May 5, 2027.
48. Thursday night final examinations, the last day of TTH full-term courses, and final examinations for TTH Session II (8W2) classes take place on Thursday, May 6, 2027.
49. Final examinations for all one-day-a-week Friday block and laboratory courses take place on Friday, May 7, 2027.
50. Full-term final examinations take place from Monday, May 10, 2027, through Thursday, May 13, 2027.
51. Graduate Commencement takes place at Reed Green Coliseum on Thursday, May 13, 2027, at 5:00 p.m.
52. Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies take place at Reed Green Coliseum on Friday, May 14, 2027, at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
53. All Coast-based Undergraduate and Graduate Student Commencement takes place at Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi on Saturday, May 15, 2027, at 2:00 p.m.
54. Final faculty grade submission is due in SOAR by 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 17, 2027.
55. The Registrar’s Office processes end-of-term grades from Monday, May 17, 2027, through Tuesday, May 18, 2027.
56. Grades become available for students who complete their course evaluations on Wednesday, May 19, 2027.

For more on the USM Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the University of Southern Mississippi Registrar website.