The CMU Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 schedule contains every key date you need, from application and enrollment deadlines, tuition payment due dates, and course add/drop periods to university holidays and final exam schedules.
The Carnegie Mellon academic calendar allows students to stay ahead of CMU registration deadlines, plan their semester around the CMU exam schedule, track CMU term dates, and never miss the last day to withdraw without penalty.
Carnegie Mellon University operates on a semester system with two primary semesters:
- Fall Semester (late August to mid‑December; approximately 14 weeks of instruction + 1 week of finals)
- Spring Semester (late January to early May; 14 instructional weeks + 1 week of finals)
In addition to these, CMU offers a Summer Session split into Session I, Full Summer, and Session II—each providing accelerated course options for makeup work or early degree completion.
Whether you’re mapping out your full 14‑week semester course load or choosing the right Summer Session module, the CMU Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 is your go‑to guide for all deadlines, ensuring a smooth and successful year at Carnegie Mellon.
Table of Contents
CMU Academic Calendar Fall 2026
- Convocation takes place on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
- First-Year Orientation runs from Sunday, August 23, 2026, to Friday, August 28, 2026.
- The first day of classes is Monday, August 31, 2026.
- Labor Day is observed on Monday, September 7, 2026, and the university is closed.
- CMU Fall Break 2026 takes place from Monday, October 12, 2026, to Friday, October 16, 2026, and no classes are held during this period.
- Mini-2 classes begin on Monday, October 19, 2026.
- Democracy Day is observed on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and no classes are held.
- CMU Thanksgiving Break 2026 takes place from Wednesday, November 25, 2026, to Friday, November 27, 2026, and no classes are held during this period.
- The last day of classes is Friday, December 4, 2026.
- Final examinations are held on Monday, December 7, 2026; Tuesday, December 8, 2026; Thursday, December 10, 2026; Friday, December 11, 2026; and Monday, December 14, 2026.
- Reading Days occur on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, and Saturday, December 12, 2026.
- Fall grades are due on Thursday, December 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
CMU Academic Calendar Spring 2027
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 18, 2027, and the university is closed.
- The first day of classes is Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
- CMU Spring Break 2027 takes place from Monday, March 8, 2027, to Friday, March 12, 2027, and no classes are held during this period.
- Mini-4 classes begin on Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Spring Carnival takes place from Thursday, April 15, 2027, to Friday, April 16, 2027, and no classes are held during this period.
- The last day of classes is Friday, April 30, 2027.
- Final examinations are held on Monday, May 3, 2027; Tuesday, May 4, 2027; Thursday, May 6, 2027; Friday, May 7, 2027; and Monday, May 10, 2027.
- Reading Days occur on Wednesday, May 5, 2027, and from Saturday, May 8, 2027, to Sunday, May 9, 2027.
- Commencement takes place on Sunday, May 16, 2027.
- Spring grades are due on Tuesday, May 18, 2027 at 4:00 PM.
For more on the CMU Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the Carnegie Mellon University Calendar website.
You can also find Carnegie Mellon Academic Calendars for Heinz College, Tepper School of Business graduate courses, CMU-Africa, CMU-Australia, and CMU-Qatar.
