Navigating the Academic Year: A Guide to Columbia University's Academic Calendar

The academic calendar is an essential tool for students, faculty, and staff at Columbia University. It provides a comprehensive overview of important dates and deadlines throughout the academic year, including the first and last days of classes, registration periods, course withdrawal deadlines, and observed holidays. Understanding and utilizing the academic calendar effectively is crucial for academic planning and success. Unless otherwise noted, registration activities end at 5:00 pm on the indicated date. The ending time for classes is the end of the last scheduled class meeting on or before the indicated date.

Fall Semester 2025

The Fall 2025 semester begins with a series of workshops and orientations designed to prepare faculty and students for the academic year.

August 14: Division Deans Workshop
August 15: New Faculty Orientation
August 18: Division Meetings
August 19-20: Fall Faculty Workshop (Parts 1 and 2)
August 20: Fall Balance Payment Due
August 21: Evening College New Student Orientation (TBD)
August 21-24: New First-Year Student Orientation
August 22: Late Registration Ends for Full Semester and Module 1
August 23: Move-in for Upperclass Students; Graduate Student Orientation (TBD)
August 25: First Day of Classes for Fall Full Semester and Module 1
August 27: Drop/Add for Module I Ends
August 29: Drop/Add Ends at 11:59 PM (Course changes needing assistance or permission need to be completed by 5:00 PM)

Key Dates in September:

September 1: Labor Day (No synchronous classes will meet); Academic Attendance and Engagement Due for Full Semester and Module I courses
September 4: Convocation
September 5: Opening Enrollment Report Available
September 19: Last Day to Withdraw from Courses for Fall Module 1
September 22: Day College First-Year Student 4-Week Grades Due

October Highlights:

October 12: Last Day of Fall Module I
October 13-14: Fall Break for Full Semester Classes (Weekend classes will be held as scheduled. No other classes will meet. Residence halls remain open.)
October 15: Classes Resume; Midterm Grades for Full-Term Classes Due at Noon; Final Grades for Fall Module I Due; Fall Module II Balance Payment Due
October 17: Late Registration for Fall Module II Ends
October 20: First Day of Classes for Fall Module II
October 22: Drop/Add for Fall Module II Ends
October 27: Academic Engagement Due for Module II courses

November Milestones:

October 31: Last Day to Withdraw from Full-Semester On-Campus and Online Courses; Withdrawal from Entire Semester Ends
November 3: Registration of Seniors for Spring Classes Begins
November 6: Registration of Juniors for Spring Classes Begins
November 10: Registration of Sophomores for Spring Classes Begins
November 13: Registration of First-Years for Spring Classes Begins
November 14: Last Day to Withdraw from Courses for Fall Module II
November 24: Registration of Readmits, New Students, and Non-Degree Students for Spring Classes Begins. Registration of Co-enrollments for Spring Classes Begins
November 25: Residence Halls Close at 5:00 PM
November 26-30: Thanksgiving Break (On-campus classes do not meet; online classes will still be in progress.)
November 30: Residence Halls Reopen at 1:00 PM; Classes Resume

Concluding the Fall Semester in December:

December 1: Classes Resume
December 5: Last Day of Regular Class Meetings for Fall Full Semester On-Campus Classes
December 6: Reading Day for Day College Only
December 7: Last Day of Fall Module II and Full Semester Online Classes
December 7-11: Exam Week (Classes that meet on weekdays before 8:00 AM or after 5:00 PM and classes that meet on weekends meet at their regular times. All other classes follow the exam schedule.)
December 9: Final Grades for Graduating Students Due at 3:00 PM
December 10: Final Grades for Fall Module II Due
December 11: Residence Halls Close at 5:00 PM (except for graduating students)
December 16: Final Grades for Fall Classes Due at Noon
December 17: Commencement; Residence Halls Close at 5:00 PM for Graduating Students

Spring Semester 2026

The Spring 2026 semester follows a similar structure, with key deadlines for registration, course changes, andmodule completion.

January 8: Spring Balance Payment Due for Students; Division Deans Workshop
January 9: Move-In for New Students (9:00-11:00 AM); New Student Orientation (immediately after move-in); Faculty Workshop; Late Registration Ends for Full Semester and Module 1
January 11: Move-In for Returning Students (Residence Halls open at 1:00 PM)
January 12: First Day of Classes for Spring Full Semester and Module 1
January 14: Drop/Add for Spring Module I Ends; Drop/Add Ends at 11:59 PM (Course changes needing assistance or permission must be completed by 5:00 PM)
January 16: Drop/Add for Spring Full Semester Ends; Drop/Add Ends at 11:59 PM (Course changes needing assistance or permission must be completed by 5:00 PM); All Campus MLK and Social Justice Celebration (1:00-5:00 PM) - Special events held throughout the day; students, faculty, and staff are expected to attend
January 19: MLK Jr. Day (No synchronous classes will meet); Academic Attendance and Engagement Due for Full Semester and Module I Courses
January 23: Opening Enrollment Report Available
February 6: Last Day to Withdraw from Courses for Spring Module 1
February 9: Day College First-Year Student 4-Week Grades Due
February 27: Residence Halls Close at 5:00 PM
March 1: Last Day of Spring Module I
March 2-6: Spring Break (Weekend classes will be held as scheduled; no other classes meet)
March 4: Midterm Grades Due at Noon for Full-Semester Courses; Final Grades for Spring Module I Due; Spring Module II Balance Payment Due
March 6: Late Registration Ends for Module II
March 8: Residence Halls Reopen at 1:00 PM
March 9: Classes Resume; First Day of Classes for Spring Module II
March 11: Drop/Add for Spring Module II Ends
March 16: Academic Engagement Due for Module II Courses
March 20: Last Day to Withdraw from Full-Semester On-Campus and Online Courses; Withdrawal from Entire Semester Ends
March 23: Registration of Seniors and Juniors for Summer and Fall Classes Begins
March 26: Registration of Sophomores for Summer and Fall Classes Begins
March 30: Registration of First-Years for Summer and Fall Classes Begins
April 3-5: Easter Break (No classes meet. Residence halls remain open. Offices closed.)
April 6: Last Day to Withdraw from Courses for Spring Module II; Registration of New Students, Readmits, and Non-Degree Students for Summer Classes Begins; Registration of Co-Enrollments for Fall Classes Begins
April 26: Last Day of Spring Module II
April 28: SpearsFest (Special events held during the day; most classes will not meet. Classes meeting after 5:00 PM will still be held.)
May 1: Last Day of Regular Class Meetings
May 2: Reading Day for Day College Only
May 3-7: Exam Week (Classes that meet on weekdays before 8:00 AM or after 5:00 PM and weekend classes meet at their regular times. All other classes follow the designated exam schedule.)
May 5: Grades for Graduating Students Due by 3:00 PM
May 6: Final Grades for Spring Module II Due; Summer Module I and Summer Extended Balance Payment Due
May 7: Residence Halls Close at 5:00 PM (except for graduating students)
May 9: Commencement; Residence Halls Close at 5:00 PM for Graduating Seniors
May 12: Final Grades for Spring Semester Due at Noon
May 13-14: Faculty Workshop (Parts I and II)

Summer Sessions 2026

Columbia University also offers a variety of courses during the summer.

May 1: Registration of New Students for Fall Classes Begins
May 8: Late Registration for Summer Module I and Summer Extended Ends
May 10: Residence Halls Open at 1:00 PM for Students in Summer Housing
May 11: First Day of Classes for Summer Module I and Summer Extended
May 13: Drop/Add for Summer Module I Ends
May 15: Drop/Add Ends for Summer Extended
May 18: Academic Attendance and Engagement Due for Summer Extended and Module I Courses
June 5: Last Day to Withdraw from Summer Module I Courses
June 28: Last Day of Classes for Summer Module I
June 29 - July 5: Summer Break
July 1: Final Grades for Summer Module I and Midterm Grades for Summer Extended Due; Summer Module II Balance Payment Due
July 3: Late Registration for Summer Module II Ends
July 6: First Day of Classes for Summer Module II
July 8: Drop/Add for Summer Module II Ends
July 13: Academic Engagement Due for Module II Courses
July 17: Last Day to Withdraw from Summer Extended Courses
July 31: Last Day to Withdraw from Summer Module II Courses
August 23: Last Day of Classes for Summer Module II and Summer Extended
August 25: Final Grades for Summer Module II and Summer Extended Classes Due
August 26: Fall Balance Payment Due

Fall Semester 2026

July 31: Fall Balance Payment Due
August 20: New Faculty Orientation
August 21: Division Deans Workshop
August 24: Division Meetings
August 25-26: Fall Faculty Workshop (Parts 1 and 2); State of the College Address
August 27-30: New First-Year Student Orientation
August 28: Late Registration Ends for Full Semester and Module 1
August 29: Move-in for Upperclass Students; Graduate Student Orientation (TBD)
August 31: First Day of Classes for Fall Full Semester and Module 1
September 2: Drop/Add for Module I Ends
September 4: Drop/Add Ends at 11:59 PM for Full Semester Classes (Course changes needing assistance or permission need to be completed by 5:00 PM)
September 7: Labor Day (No synchronous classes will meet); Academic Attendance and Engagement Due for full semester and Module I courses
September 10: Convocation
September 11: Opening Enrollment Report Available
September 25: Last Day to Withdraw from Courses for Fall Module 1
September 28: Day College First-Year Student 4-Week Grades Due
October 12-13: Fall Break for Full Semester Classes (Weekend classes will be held as scheduled. No other classes will meet. Residence halls remain open.)
October 14: Classes Resume
October 18: Last Day of Fall Module I
October 21: Midterm Grades for Full-Term Classes Due at Noon; Final Grades for Fall Module I Due; Fall Module II Balance Payment Due
October 23: Late Registration for Fall Module II Ends
October 26: First Day of Classes for Fall Module II
October 28: Drop/Add for Fall Module II Ends
November 2: Academic Engagement Due for Module II courses
November 6: Last Day to Withdraw from full-semester on-campus and online course; Withdrawal From Entire Semester Ends
November 9: Registration of Seniors for Spring Classes Begins
November 12: Registration of Juniors for Spring Classes Begins
November 16: Registration of Sophomores for Spring Classes Begins
November 19: Registration of First-Years for Spring Classes Begins
November 20: Last Day to Withdraw from Courses for Fall Module II
November 24: Residence Halls Close at 5:00 PM
November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break (On campus classes do not meet. Online classes will still be in progress.)
November 29: Residence Halls Re-Open at 1:00 PM
November 30: Classes Resume; Registration of Readmits, New Students, and Non-Degree Students For Spring Classes Begins; Registration of Co-enrollments for Spring Classes Begins
December 11: Last Day of Regular Class Meetings Fall Full Semester on-campus classes
December 12: Reading Day for Day College Only
December 13: Last Day of Fall Module II and Full Semester online classes
December 13-17: Exam Week (Classes that meet on weekdays before 8:00 AM or after 5:00 PM and classes that meet on weekends meet at their regular times. All other classes follow the schedule below.)
December 15: Final Grades for Graduating Students Due at 3pm
December 16: Final Grades for Fall Module II Due
December 17: Residence Halls Close at 5:00 PM except for graduating students
December 18: Commencement; Residence Halls Close at 5:00 PM for graduating students
December 22: Final Grades for Fall Classes Due at Noon

Spring Semester 2027

January 7: Spring Balance Payment Due for Students; Division Deans Workshop
January 8: Faculty Workshop; Late Registration Ends for Full Semester and Module 1
January 9: Move-In for New Students 1:00-3:00 PM, New Student Orientation to follow immediately afterward.
January 10: Move-In for Returning Students. Residence Halls open at 1:00 PM
January 11: First Day of Classes for Spring Full Semester and Module 1
January 13: Drop/Add for Spring Module I Ends; Drop/Add ends at 11:59 PM (Course changes needing assistance or permission must be completed by 5:00 PM.)
January 15: Drop/Add for Spring Full Semester Ends; Drop/Add ends at 11:59 PM (Course changes needing assistance or permission must be completed by 5:00 PM.); All campus MLK and Social Justice Celebration from 1:00 to 5:00PM - Special events will be held during the day. Students, faculty, and staff are expected to attend.
January 18: MLK Jr. Day. No synchronous classes will meet; Academic Attendance and Engagement are due for full semester and Module I courses
January 22: Opening Enrollment Report available
February 5: Last day to withdraw from courses for Spring Module 1
February 8: Day College first-year students’ 4-week grades are due
February 26: Residence halls close at 5:00 PM
February 28: Last day of Spring Module I
March 1-5: Spring Break; weekend classes will be held as scheduled. No other classes meet.
March 3: Midterm grades for full-semester courses are due by noon; Final grades for Spring Module I are due, and Spring Module II balance payment is due
March 5: Late registration for Module II ends
March 7: Residence Halls reopen at 1:00 PM
March 8: Classes resume; first day of Spring Module II
March 10: Drop/Add for Spring Module II ends
March 15: Academic engagement is due for Module II courses
March 19: Last day to withdraw from full-semester on-campus and online courses. students must register by the end of the registration period. Students with APO/FPO addresses must register at least four weeks prior to the term start date in order to allow sufficient time to textbook delivery.

University Closure Dates

The university observes several holidays throughout the year, during which classes are typically not held and offices are closed. These dates are:

Read also: Columbia University Legacy

Academic Calendar Year 2024 - 2025

July 4, 2024: Independence Day
September 2, 2024: Labor Day
November 11, 2024: Veterans Day
November 27-29, 2024: Thanksgiving
December 24-26, 2024: Christmas
January 1, 2025: New Year’s Day
January 20, 2025: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Academic Calendar Year 2025 - 2026

July 4, 2025: Independence Day
September 1, 2025: Labor Day
November 11, 2025: Veterans Day
November 26-28, 2025: Thanksgiving
December 24-26, 2025: Christmas
January 1, 2026: New Year’s Day
January 19, 2026: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Law School Calendar

The Law School has a specific academic calendar that differs somewhat from the general university calendar. It includes orientation periods, add/drop deadlines, exam schedules, and grade submission deadlines.

Fall Term 2025 (Law School)

August 1: Date upon which outstanding grades will be converted to F
August 11-12: LL.M. Orientation
August 13: Start of LL.M. Classes in Introduction to American Law and in LL.M. Legal Research & Writing
August 13 - September 8: Add/Drop Period
August 15: Executive LL.M. Class of 2025: Last day of on-campus classes and exams
August 18-20: 1L J.D. Orientation
August 21: Start of 1L classes in Legal Methods I and Legal Practice Workshop I
August 22: Executive LL.M. Class of 2025: First day of Final Online Classes
August 29: Last day of 1L class Legal Methods I and LL.M. class Introduction to American Law
September 1: Labor Day - No classes
October 1: October 2025 Degree Candidates: Deadline to submit outstanding 2024-25 written work granted an extension
October 1: October 2025 Degree Candidates: Degree applications due
October 2: First day of classes in term-long Law School courses. If enrolled in other schools please refer to Columbia Academic Calendar for the first day of classes.
October 2-8: Add/Drop continues; action required on waitlist notifications; after this date, all changes (excluding withdrawals) require Rules Committee petition approval
October 8: Digital Registration forms on LawNet are due
September 9 - October 15: Withdrawal from classes permitted; the notation of W will be recorded on the transcript
October 15: Conferral of October degrees
October 15: Executive LL.M. Class of 2025: Degrees Conferred
October 19: Final exam for LL.M. class Introduction to American Law
October 1: LL.M.s: registration deadline for fall term LL.M. Writing Project
October 1: October 2025 LL.M. Degree Candidates: Last day to file final copy of LL.M. Essay with Office of Graduate Degree Programs
October 1: Executive LL.M. Class of 2025: Last day of Final Online Classes and Exams
October 15: All students (excluding October 2025 Degree Candidates): Deadline to submit outstanding 2024-25 written work that received an extension
October 15: All students: Deadline to withdraw from a Fall 2025 Law School course with a W grade; after this date the grade of F will be recorded
October 24: 1L midterm exams
November 4: Election Day - No Classes
November 15: Grade submission deadline for outstanding 2024-25 written work that received an extension
November 27-28: Thanksgiving Holiday - No Classes
December 2: Add/Drop Round 1 closes
December 5: Last day of 1L and upper-year law school classes
December 5: Last day for 2Ls and 3Ls to submit a digital Grade Adjustment form for Credit/Fail
December 6-7: Upper-year study days
December 6-11: 1L study period
December 8: Last day of classes at other divisions of the University, if enrolled in other schools please refer to Columbia Academic Calendar
December 8-19: Exam Period (1L exams start on December 12)
December 22: Fall 2025 term ends; due date for submission of Fall 2025 written work; last day for rescheduled exams
December 31: February 2026 LL.M. Degree Candidates: Deadline to submit outstanding written work; last day to file final copy of LL.M. Essay with Office of Graduate Degree Programs

Spring Term 2026 (Law School)

January 1: May 2026 Degree Candidates: Degree applications due
January 5: Fall 2025 grade submission deadline for classes with 1L students
January 9-12: Add/Drop Period for upper year January elective classes
January 12-16: Legal Methods II and upper year January elective classes
January 13: Add/Drop Period opens: upper-class Spring 2026 electives
January 16: Fall 2025 grade submission deadline for classes without 1L students
January 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observed - No Classes
January 20: First day of all Law School classes. If enrolled in other schools please refer to Columbia Academic Calendar for the first day of classes.
January 20-26: Add/Drop continues; action required on waitlist notification; after this date, all changes (excluding withdrawals) require Rules Committee petition approval
January 27 - February 15: Withdrawal from classes permitted; the notation of W will be recorded on the transcript
February 6: Legal Methods II and upper year January elective 2026 grade submission deadline
February 11: Conferral of February 2026 degrees
February 15: All students: Deadline to withdraw from a Spring 2025 Law School course with a W grade; after this date the grade of F will be recorded
February 17: Executive LL.M. Class of 2026: Welcome Webinar
February 20: Executive LL.M. Class of 2026: First day of online classes
March 1: 3Ls: Deadline to Register Pro Bono Project
March 16-20: Spring Recess - No Classes
April 1: 3Ls: Deadline to submit final draft of Major Writing Credit paper (discuss deadline with professor if necessary)
April 1: All students: Deadline to submit all outstanding fall 2025 written work that was granted an extension
April 29: Last day of Law School Classes
April 29: Last day for 2Ls and 3Ls to submit a digital Grade Adjustment form for Credit/Fail
April 30 - May 3: Upper-year study period
April 30 - May 4: 1L study period
May 1: May 2026 JD & May 2026 LL.M. Degree Candidates: Deadline to submit all outstanding Spring 2026 written work
May 1: May 2026 LL.M. Degree Candidates: Deadline to file final copy of LL.M. Essay with Office of Graduate Degree Programs (discuss deadline with professor if necessary)
May 4-15: Exam Period (1L exams start on May 5)
May 4: Last day of classes at other divisions of the University, if enrolled in other schools please refer to Columbia Academic Calendar.
May 8: Executive LL.M. Class of 2026: Last day of online classes
May 11-18: Executive LL.M. Class of 2026: Spring Exam Period
May 15: Spring 2026 grade submission deadline for graduating students
May 15: Continuing students: Due date for submission of Spring 2026 written work
May 15: Spring 2026 term ends
May 17: Law School Graduation Ceremony
May 20: University Commencement & Degree Conferral
May 22: Executive LL.M. Class of 2026: On-campus orientation
May 26: Executive LL.M.

Additional Important Dates and Deadlines

Vaccination Documentation: New students entering in Fall 2025 must submit vaccination documentation for measles, mumps, and rubella and certify their meningitis decision via the Columbia Health Patient Portal 30 days prior to registration. Students are not permitted to register for classes until their submission is reviewed and processed.
B.A. Degree Applications: Deadlines to apply or reapply for the B.A. degree:
- October 2025 Award: Last day to apply is in August.
- February 2026 Award: Last day to apply is in November.
- May 2026 Award: Last day to apply is in December.
Change of Program Period: Students must be registered for a minimum of 12 points. Last day to add courses. Last day to drop a Core Curriculum course. Last day to uncover grade for Spring or Summer 2025 course taken Pass/D/Fail.
Course Drop Deadlines: Last day for students to drop Fall courses via Student Services (SSOL).
Pass/D/Fail Option: The last day to change a regular course to a Pass/D/Fail course or a Pass/D/Fail course to a regular course.

Important Considerations

Columbia College reserves the right to revise or amend this academic calendar, in whole or in part, at any time.
Classes and exams missed for travel are not excused. Travel plans should be scheduled for dates that fall on holidays, on weekends, or after final exams.
Students with APO/FPO addresses must register at least four weeks prior to the term start date in order to allow sufficient time to textbook delivery.

Read also: Paying for Columbia

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