Emerson College Academic Calendar 2025‑2026: Important Dates

The Emerson College Academic Calendar 2025‑2026 is your go‑to roadmap for every milestone from Emerson College enrollment deadlines, tuition payment due dates, and course add/drop periods to college holidays and final exam schedules.

The Emerson Academic Calendar allows students to lock in Emerson term dates, plan around the Emerson exam schedule, and never miss critical cut‑offs such as the last day to withdraw without a “W”, Priority Registration windows, or the opening of Summer Session and Winter Mini‑Term registration.

Emerson College follows a traditional semester system enhanced by short‑term sessions:

• Fall Semester (mid-September to mid-December; 14 instructional weeks + 1 finals week), so if you’re asking how long a semester is at Emerson, expect about 15 weeks in total.
• Winter Mini‑Term (3 weeks in early January for intensive courses) is ideal if you need to catch up or accelerate your degree progress.
• Spring Semester (mid-January to mid-May; 14 instructional weeks + 1 finals week) with a mid‑semester Spring Recess in March.
• Summer Session (late May through early August), split into Session I and Session II (each 6 weeks), providing flexible options for makeup courses or accelerated study.

Whether you’re mapping out a 15‑week semester course load, squeezing in a 3‑week Winter Mini‑Term class, or choosing the best Summer Session module, the Emerson College Academic Calendar 2025‑2026 ensures you have all the dates and deadlines at your fingertips, so you can focus on thriving in Boston’s creative arts community.

Emerson College Academic Calendar Fall 2025

1. Newly admitted graduate students (excluding Speech@Emerson and Film & Media Art) register for Fall 2025 classes at 1:00 PM ET on Monday, June 2, 2025.
2. Master’s Theses/Projects are due to Committee Chairs for August degree candidates on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
3. Fall 2025 tuition, room, board, and fee payments are due on Friday, August 1, 2025.
4. Junior Preview Day occurs on Monday, August 11, 2025.
5. The last day for graduate students to submit Master’s Theses/Projects to the Graduate Studies Office for August degree candidates is Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
6. Writing for Film & TV students must submit withdrawal forms by 5:00 PM ET on Friday, August 22, 2025, to receive a full refund for fall.
7. Pre-Orientation Move-In will take place on Sunday, August 24, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM ET (scheduled times will be assigned).
8. Pre-Orientation Programs run from Sunday, August 24, 2025, to Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
9. Writing for Film & TV students arrive in Boston for residency on Sunday, August 24, 2025.
10. Writing for Film & TV Boston residency runs from Monday, August 25, 2025, to Saturday, August 30, 2025.
11. Full Summer and Summer Session 2 grades are due at noon ET on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
12. New First-Time and Transfer Student Move-In begins on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 (with assigned times).
13. New and Transfer Student Orientation runs from Tuesday, August 26, 2025, to Monday, September 1, 2025.
14. Parent and Family Orientation will take place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
15. New Graduate Student Orientation (in person) is held on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
16. New Graduate Student Orientation (online) is held on Friday, August 29, 2025.
17. Returning Student Move-In occurs on Friday, August 29, 2025, to Saturday, August 30, 2025 (scheduled times assigned).
18. Labor Day (no classes) is observed on Monday, September 1, 2025.
19. No classes are held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
20. The last day to add to fall waitlists is Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
21. The last day to register for a fall internship in Boston without prior approval is Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
22. The last day to withdraw from the College for Fall with a full refund (excluding Writing for Film & TV) is Tuesday, September 2, 2025; forms must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET.
23. Boston fall classes begin on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
24. Registration for fall non-tuition co-curriculars opens on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
25. The last day to add a Boston campus class without instructor permission is Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
26. Fall waitlisting closes at 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
27. Summer Session 1 incomplete grades revert to default follow-up grades on Monday, September 15, 2025.
28. The last day to add or drop a fall Boston campus class is Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
29. The last day to file an Intent to Graduate form for December graduation is Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
30. The course withdrawal period begins (no tuition refund) on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
31. Fall Open House – Experience Emerson occurs on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
32. Indigenous Peoples’ Day (no classes) is observed on Monday, October 13, 2025.
33. Spring 2026 course listings are released on Friday, October 17, 2025.
34. Family and Friends Weekend runs from Friday, October 17, 2025, to Sunday, October 19, 2025.
35. Spring 2026 Registration Advising occurs from Monday, October 20, 2025, to Friday, October 31, 2025.
36. Midterm Grades (C- or below) for undergraduate students are due at 12:00 PM ET on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
37. First Seven-week session, Boston campus classes end on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
38. The last day to register for fall non-tuition co-curriculars is Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
39. The Second Seven-week session of Boston campus classes begins on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
40. Fall Open House – Experience Emerson occurs on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
41. Grades for the first Seven-week session are due on Monday, October 27, 2025.
42. Spring 2026 Registration runs from Thursday, October 30, 2025, to Monday, November 10, 2025.
43. Summer Session 2 and Full Summer incomplete grades revert to default on Monday, November 3, 2025.
44. Veterans’ Day (no classes) is observed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
45. Registration is closed on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
46. Eligible students may register for an overload on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
47. The last day to withdraw from an individual fall course is Thursday, November 20, 2025; forms must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET.
48. The last day to take a leave of absence or withdraw from the College for fall is Thursday, November 20, 2025; forms must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET.
49. Master’s Theses/Projects are due to Committee Chairs for December degree candidates on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
50. Residence Halls close at 12:00 PM ET for Thanksgiving break on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
51. Thanksgiving Break (no classes) runs from Wednesday, November 26, 2025, to Friday, November 28, 2025.
52. Residence Halls reopen at 12:00 PM ET on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
53. Boston fall classes resume at 8:00 AM ET on Monday, December 1, 2025.
54. New graduate students (excluding Speech@Emerson) admitted for spring can register online at 1:00 PM ET on Monday, December 1, 2025.
55. Spring 2026 tuition, room, board, and fee payments are due on Monday, December 15, 2025.
56. The last day for graduate students to submit Master’s Theses/Projects for December degree candidates is Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
57. Emerson fall classes end on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
58. The last day to submit Spring Directed Study Proposals to Department Chairs is Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
59. Residence Halls close at 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
60. Final grades for Boston fall courses are due at 12:00 PM ET on Friday, December 19, 2025.

Emerson College Academic Calendar Spring 2026

1. The last day for Writing for Film & TV students to withdraw for spring with a full refund is Friday, January 2, 2026; forms must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET.
2. Writing for Film & TV students arrive in LA for residency on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
3. Writing for Film & TV LA residency runs from Monday, January 5, 2026, to Friday, January 9, 2026.
4. New student move-in occurs on Thursday, January 8, 2026 (8:00 AM–12:00 PM ET; scheduled times assigned).
5. New Student Orientation runs from Thursday, January 8, 2026, to Monday, January 12, 2026.
6. Graduate Orientation (online) is held on Friday, January 9, 2026.
7. Returning Student Move-In occurs from Friday, January 9, 2026, to Sunday, January 11, 2026.
8. The last day to add to spring waitlists is Monday, January 12, 2026.
9. The last day to register for a spring internship without prior approval is Monday, January 12, 2026.
10. The last day to withdraw from the College for spring with a full refund (excluding Writing for Film & TV) is Monday, January 12, 2026; forms must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET.
11. Boston spring classes begin on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
12. Registration for spring non-tuition co-curriculars opens on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
13. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no classes) is observed on Monday, January 19, 2026.
14. The last day to add a class without instructor permission is Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
15. Monday classes follow a Tuesday schedule on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
16. Spring waitlisting closes at 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
17. The last day to add or drop a spring class is Monday, January 26, 2026.
18. The course withdrawal period begins (no tuition refund) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
19. The last day to file an Intent to Graduate form for May graduation is Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
20. Presidents’ Day (no classes) is observed on Monday, February 16, 2026.
21. Monday classes follow a Wednesday schedule on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
22. Picture Yourself at Emerson occurs on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
23. Fall 2025 incomplete grades revert to default on Monday, March 2, 2026.
24. Midterm Grades (C- or below) for undergraduate students are due at 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
25. Summer 2026 course listings are released on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
26. First Seven-week session Boston classes end on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
27. The last day to register for spring non-tuition co-curriculars is Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
28. The Second Seven-week session Boston campus classes begin on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
29. Residence Halls close at 12:00 PM ET for Spring Break on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
30. Grades for the first Seven-week session are due on Monday, March 9, 2026.
31. Emerson College Spring Break 2026 (no classes) runs from Monday, March 9, 2026, to Friday, March 13, 2026. Residence Halls reopen at 12:00 PM ET on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Classes resume at 8:00 AM ET on Monday, March 16, 2026.
32. Summer 2026 registration opens at 9:00 AM ET on Monday, March 16, 2026.
33. Fall 2026 Registration Advising runs from Monday, March 16, 2026, to Friday, March 27, 2026.
34. The last day to file an Intent to Graduate form for August degree candidates participating in May Commencement is Sunday, March 22, 2026.
35. Fall 2026 registration runs from Monday, March 30, 2026, to Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
36. New graduate students (excluding Speech@Emerson) admitted for fall can register online at 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
37. The last day to withdraw from an individual course is Tuesday, April 7, 2026; forms must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET.
38. The last day to withdraw from the College for spring is Tuesday, April 7, 2026; forms must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET.
39. Master’s Theses/Projects are due to Committee Chairs for May degree candidates on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
40. Registration is closed on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
41. Eligible students may register for an overload on Friday, April 10, 2026.
42. Picture Yourself at Emerson occurs on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
43. Summer 2026 tuition and fee payments are due on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
44. Official Make-up Day is held on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
45. Patriots’ Day (no classes) is observed on Monday, April 20, 2026.
46. Monday classes follow a Friday schedule on Friday, April 24, 2026.
47. Boston spring classes end on Friday, May 1, 2026.
48. The last day for graduate students to submit Master’s Theses/Projects for May degree candidates is Friday, May 1, 2026.
49. The last day to file an Intent to Graduate form for August degree candidates not participating in May Commencement is Friday, May 1, 2026.
50. The last day to submit Summer and Fall Directed Study proposals is Friday, May 1, 2026.
51. Residence halls close at 12:00 PM ET for non-commencement students on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
52. Final grades for Spring 2026 degree candidates are due by midnight on Monday, May 4, 2026.
53. Final grades for all other students are due at 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
54. Final grades become viewable to students on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Emerson College Academic Calendar Summer 2026

1. Transfer Picture Yourself at Emerson occurs on Friday, May 15, 2026.
2. The last day to drop a Summer Session 1 class for a full refund is Sunday, May 17, 2026.
3. Full Summer/Summer Session 1 waitlisting closes at 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
4. Full Summer and Summer Session 1 classes begin on Monday, May 18, 2026.
5. Memorial Day (no classes) is observed on Monday, May 25, 2026.
6. New graduate students (excluding Speech@Emerson) admitted for summer can register online at 1:00 PM ET on Monday, June 1, 2026.
7. The last day to withdraw with a “W” for Summer Session 1 classes is Friday, June 5, 2026; forms must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET.
8. Juneteenth (no classes) is observed on Friday, June 19, 2026.
9. The last day to join a waitlist for Summer Session 2 is Monday, June 29, 2026.
10. Summer Session 1 classes end on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
11. The last day to drop a Summer Session 2 class for a full refund is Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
12. Summer Session 2 waitlisting closes at 11:59 PM ET on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
13. Summer Session 2 classes begin on Thursday, July 2, 2026; Full Summer classes continue.
14. Monday classes follow a Friday schedule on Friday, July 3, 2026.
15. Independence Day (observed; no classes) is Monday, July 6, 2026.
16. Spring 2026 incomplete grades revert to default on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
17. The last day to withdraw with a “W” for Full Summer and Summer Session 2 classes is Friday, July 24, 2026; forms must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET.
18. Master’s Theses/Projects are due to Committee Chairs for August degree candidates on Friday, July 24, 2026.
19. Fall 2026 tuition, room, board, and fee payments are due on Friday, July 31, 2026.
20. Monday classes follow a Friday schedule on Friday, August 7, 2026.
21. Full Summer and Summer Session 2 classes end on Friday, August 21, 2026.
22. The last day for graduate students to submit Master’s Theses/Projects for August degree candidates is Friday, August 21, 2026.
23. Full Summer and Summer Session 2 grades are due at 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

For more on the Emerson College Academic Calendar 2025-2026, visit the Emerson College Calendar website.