William and Mary Academic Calendar 2026-2027: Important Dates

William and Mary academic calendar 2026-2027 provides undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and administrative staff with the official timeline of academic deadlines and university operations across the Williamsburg campus.

Published and maintained by the William & Mary Office of the University Registrar, this primary schedule outlines essential dates for course registration, tuition payment windows, drop/add deadlines, official holiday observances, and commencement ceremonies.

Keeping track of these key dates ensures Tribe students maintain seamless academic progress while avoiding registration holds or late fee penalties.

William & Mary operates on a traditional semester-based system comprising a Fall semester, a Spring semester, and optional Summer sessions divided into accelerated modules.

Standard Fall and Spring terms span 15 weeks of active instruction, supplemented by designated reading periods and final examination blocks.

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

Planning for the William and Mary academic calendar fall 2026 semester begins well in advance of the first day of class. Fall 2026 classes officially commence in late August, following orientation and welcome week events.

Course registration opens during the preceding semester, allowing students to consult with academic advisors and lock in schedules before the official drop/add deadline.

While standard undergraduate and graduate programs follow the primary university schedule, professional schools—such as the W&M Law School and Mason School of Business—maintain specialized academic timelines; students in legal studies should refer directly to the William & Mary Law academic calendar 26-27 for distinct orientation, reading period, and exam schedules.

The Fall term includes vital campus pauses such as Labor Day, Fall Break in October, and Thanksgiving Break in late November, concluding with final exams in December.

Transitioning into the second half of the school year, the spring semester resumes in mid-January 2027 following MLK Jr. Day. Key mid-semester highlights focus on the highly anticipated William & Mary spring break 2027 schedule in March, offering students a dedicated week to recharge before returning for final exams and May Commencement.

Rather than relying on a static William and Mary academic calendar 2026-2027 printable, using the live digital schedule ensures you receive real-time updates and schedule adjustments.

William and Mary Academic Calendar Fall 2026

1. The final add/drop period begins at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
2. William and Mary Fall 2026 classes start on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. It is the first day of classes.
3. The start of non-degree-seeking registration is Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
4. The last day to add or drop a course and the deadline for January graduates to declare a minor or a changed or second major are Friday, September 4, 2026.
5. The withdrawal period begins on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
6. Labor Day is observed on Monday, September 7, 2026, and offices are closed with no classes.
7. The undergraduate pass/fail election form opens for social class juniors and seniors on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
8. The deadline to apply for January, May, or August 2027 graduation and the deadline for 2027 graduates to have their social class changed before Spring 2027 registration are Thursday, October 1, 2026.
9. The midterm grading period takes place from Monday, October 5, 2026, through Sunday, October 25, 2026.
10. William and Mary Fall Break 2026 takes place from Thursday, October 8, 2026, through Sunday, October 11, 2026, and there are no classes. Classes resume from Fall Break on Monday, October 12, 2026.
11. The advising period takes place from Monday, October 19, 2026, through Friday, October 30, 2026.
12. The last day to withdraw from a course and the last day for social class juniors and seniors to elect pass/fail are Monday, October 26, 2026.
13. Election Day is observed on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and offices are closed with no classes.
14. Remote instruction days take place on Monday, November 23, 2026, and Tuesday, November 24, 2026, with courses in session remotely and offices closed.
15. William and Mary Thanksgiving Break 2026 takes place from Wednesday, November 25, 2026, through Sunday, November 29, 2026, and offices are closed with no classes. Classes resume from Thanksgiving Break on Monday, November 30, 2026.
16. The last day of classes is Friday, December 4, 2026.
17. Reading periods take place on Saturday, December 5, 2026, Sunday, December 6, 2026, Saturday, December 12, 2026, and Sunday, December 13, 2026.
18. Final examination periods take place from Monday, December 7, 2026, through Friday, December 11, 2026, and from Monday, December 14, 2026, through Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
19. Fall final grades are due by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4, 2027.
20. Winter degree conferral takes place on Friday, January 22, 2027, with no ceremony.

William and Mary Academic Calendar Spring 2027

1. The deadline to declare a major or minor for guaranteed processing before Spring 2027 registration is Friday, October 23, 2026.
2. Spring 2027 carts open for continuing students from Friday, October 30, 2026, through Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
3. Spring 2027 continuing student schedules are available to view on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
4. Spring 2027 add/drop begins for continuing students on Monday, November 9, 2026.
5. The first day of Spring 2027 classes is Wednesday, January 27, 2027.
6. William and Mary Spring Break 2027 takes place from Saturday, March 13, 2027, through Sunday, March 21, 2027. Classes resume from Spring Break on Monday, March 22, 2027.
7. The last day of classes is Friday, May 7, 2027.
8. Reading periods take place on Saturday, May 8, 2027, Sunday, May 9, 2027, Saturday, May 15, 2027, and Sunday, May 16, 2027.
9. Final examination periods take place from Monday, May 10, 2027, through Friday, May 14, 2027, and from Monday, May 17, 2027, through Tuesday, May 18, 2027.
10. William and Mary Commencement Weekend takes place from Thursday, May 20, 2027, through Saturday, May 22, 2027.

For more on the William and Mary Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the William & Mary University Registrar website.