GWU Academic Calendar 2026‑2027: Important Dates

The GWU Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 is your go‑to roadmap for every critical deadline from application and enrollment windows, tuition payment due dates, and course add/drop periods, to university holidays and final exam schedules.

The George Washington University academic calendar helps Colonials to stay ahead of GWU term dates, plan around the GWU exam schedule, track priority registration deadlines, and never miss the last day to withdraw without a “W,” ensuring smooth academic and financial planning at GWU.

George Washington University follows a traditional semester system complemented by flexible summer sessions:

• Fall Semester and Spring Semester: each spans roughly 15 weeks (14 instructional weeks + 1 week of finals), perfect for a full‑term course load, mid‑term assessments, and dedicated exam preparation.
• Summer Sessions: offered in multiple formats: Session I (6 weeks), University Summer (12 weeks), and Session II (6 weeks). Each has its own registration, add/drop deadlines, and grading option cut‑offs, giving you the flexibility to accelerate your degree or make up credits.

Whether you’re mapping out a semester‑long schedule, squeezing in a 6‑week Summer Session module, or budgeting for GWU summer fees, the GWU Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 keeps every date and deadline at your fingertips so you can focus on thriving in Washington, D.C.

GWU Academic Calendar Fall 2026

1. The first day of classes is on Monday, August 24, 2026.
2. Labor Day is observed on Monday, September 7, 2026, with no classes.
3. GWU Fall Break 2026 runs from Monday, October 12, 2026, through Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with no classes.
4. Thanksgiving Break runs from Monday, November 23, 2026, through Saturday, November 28, 2026, with no classes.
5. The last day of classes is on Tuesday, December 8, 2026.
6. A designated Monday is observed on Wednesday, December 9, 2026.
7. Make-up and reading day is on Thursday, December 10, 2026.
8. Final examinations take place from Friday, December 11, 2026, through Thursday, December 17, 2026.
9. Fall degree conferral occurs on Friday, January 8, 2027.

GWU Academic Calendar Spring 2027

1. The first day of classes is on Monday, January 11, 2027.
2. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 18, 2027, with no classes.
3. Presidents’ Day is observed on Monday, February 15, 2027, with no classes.
4. GWU Spring Break 2027 runs from Monday, March 8, 2027, through Saturday, March 13, 2027, with no classes.
5. The last day of classes is on Monday, April 26, 2027.
6. Make-up day is on Tuesday, April 27, 2027.
7. A designated Monday is observed on Wednesday, April 28, 2027.
8. Reading Days are on Thursday, April 29, 2027, and Friday, April 30, 2027.
9. Final examinations take place from Saturday, May 1, 2027, through Friday, May 7, 2027.
10. Commencement Weekend runs from Thursday, May 13, 2027, through Sunday, May 16, 2027.
11. Spring degree conferral occurs on Sunday, May 16, 2027.

GWU Academic Calendar Summer 2026

1. Session I begins for 6-week, 8-week, 10-week, and full-term courses on Monday, May 18, 2026.
2. Memorial Day is observed with no classes on Monday, May 25, 2026.
3. Juneteenth is observed with no classes on Friday, June 19, 2026.
4. The 6-week Session I ends on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
5. Session II begins for 6-week courses on Monday, June 29, 2026.
6. Independence Day is observed with no classes on Friday, July 3, 2026.
7. The 8-week Session I ends on Saturday, July 11, 2026.
8. The 10-week Session I ends on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
9. The 6-week Session II ends on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
10. The full-term Session I ends on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
11. Summer degrees are conferred on Monday, August 31, 2026.
12. Law degrees are conferred on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

For more on the GWU Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the George Washington University Calendar website.