Navigating the Academic Calendar at the University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama, a public institution founded in 1963, operates on a semester-based academic calendar. Understanding this calendar is crucial for students to effectively manage their academic journey, financial aid, registration, and other important deadlines. Ranked #363 in National Universities and #196 in Top Public Schools in the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, the University of South Alabama offers a comprehensive academic experience to its 9,241 undergraduate students (fall 2024). The campus spans 1,190 acres and maintains a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. This article provides a detailed overview of the academic calendar, including key dates and deadlines.

General Information About the University

The University of South Alabama accepts the Common Application. The school's in-state tuition and fees are $12,040; out-of-state tuition and fees are $23,260. The average net price for federal loan recipients is $16,717. The four-year graduation rate is 37%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $41,307.

Fall Semester Key Dates

October: Important dates for the month of October.
November: Important dates for the month of November.
December: Several important dates, including Tuesdays and Saturdays.
January:
- Monday, January: A series of important dates.
- Monday, January: Credit hours freeze at 10 pm for financial aid eligibility.
- Tuesday, January: Credit balance refund review process begins. This process occurs in phases over several business days.
- Wednesday, January: Important date.
February:
- Monday, February: Important date.
- Monday, February 16 Through Tuesday, February: Important dates.
March:
- Monday, March: Important date.
- Wednesday, March: Important date.
- Friday, March: Important date.
- Monday, March 09 Through Sunday, March: Important dates.
April:
- Monday, April: Important date.
- Friday, April: Withdrawal Period Ends.

Spring Semester Key Dates

March: Important dates for the month of March.
April: Important dates for the month of April.
May:
- Friday, May: Important date.
- Monday, May 04 Through Thursday, May: Important dates.
- Friday, May 08 Through Saturday, May: Important dates.
May: Important dates for the month of May.

Summer Semester Key Dates

May:
- Monday, May: Classes begin.
June:
- Monday, June: Important date.
- Wednesday, June: (Full and First Term) Classes begin.
- Friday, June: (First Term) Add/Drop ends.
- Saturday, June: (First Term) Withdrawal period begins.
- Wednesday, June: (First Term) Withdrawal period ends.
- Wednesday, June: Credit hours freeze at 10 pm for financial aid eligibility.
- Thursday, June: (Full Term) Withdrawal period begins.
- Monday, June: (All Terms) Credit balance refund review process begins.
July:
- Wednesday, July: (Second term) Late registration begins.
- Monday, July: (Full Term) Withdrawal period ends.
- Tuesday, July: (Second term) Withdrawal period begins.
- Friday, July: (Second term) Withdrawal period ends.
- Wednesday, July 29 Through Friday, July: Important Dates.
August:
- Saturday, August: Important date.

Understanding Key Academic Processes

Financial Aid Eligibility

Credit hours freeze at 10 pm for financial aid eligibility. This is a crucial deadline for students relying on financial aid to ensure their enrollment status is accurately reflected.

Credit Balance Refund

Credit balance refund review process begins. This process occurs in phases over several business days. 1 Balance includes all current term charges for tuition, fees, housing, and dining.

Add/Drop Period

During the add/drop period, students can make changes to their course schedules without academic penalty. This is a valuable opportunity to adjust course selections based on initial experiences and academic goals.

Withdrawal Period

Withdrawal Period Ends. Understanding the withdrawal period is essential for students who may need to drop a course after the add/drop deadline. Withdrawing from a course may have academic and financial implications, so it's important to be aware of the deadlines and policies.

Navigating to the College of Education and Professional Studies

For those visiting the College of Education and Professional Studies, here are a few possible directions:

From the Airport Boulevard exit: Take the Airport Boulevard exit and go west on Airport Blvd (as if you were going to the Mobile Regional Airport). Go 2.6 miles. You will see a Publix supermarket on the corner of Airport Blvd. and University Blvd. Turn right (north) onto University Boulevard. Go 0.8 miles on University Blvd. crossing Bit and Spur Road (first light) and turning right at the second traffic light into a large parking lot - that is the University Commons area. The College of Education and Professional Studies is located in the central part of the University Commons Building.
From downtown Mobile: Turn left (east) onto Airport Boulevard (as if you were going to downtown Mobile). Go approximately 4 miles on Airport Blvd. and turn left onto University Blvd. Publix Supermarket will be on your right. Go 0.8 miles on University Blvd. crossing Bit and Spur Road (first light) and turning right at the second traffic light into a large parking lot - that is the University Commons area. The College of Education and Professional Studies is located in the central part of the University Commons Building.
From Schillinger Road: Turn south onto Schillinger Road (as if you were going to the Mobile Regional Airport). Go approximately 5 miles. As you are nearing Old Shell Road, you will see a Flea Market on the right. Turn left (east) onto Old Shell Road. Go approximately 3.5 miles. At the corner of Old Shell and University Blvd., you will see a Hardee's restaurant on the right and the University of South Alabama brick sign on the left. Turn right onto University Blvd. at Hardee's and get into the left lane as soon as you can. There will be a Regions Bank on your left - turn left beside its main entrance. Go straight to the one-story building (the University Commons Building) at the end of the alley and turn right. You will see the College of Education and Professional Studies main entrance on your left (UCOM 3600) and a large parking lot area will be on the right.

Additional Considerations for Prospective Students

Early Action vs. Early Decision: Prospective students should carefully consider whether to apply through Early Action or Early Decision programs, as these options may have different deadlines and commitments.
Rolling Admission: Understanding the concept of rolling admission can also be beneficial for planning the application process.
What Looks Good on College Applications: Preparing a strong college application involves highlighting academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities that demonstrate potential for success.

Read also: LSU Calendar Guide

Read also: Academic Excellence at Xavier

tags: #university #of #south #alabama #academic #calendar