Navigating the George Mason University Academic Calendar: Key Dates and Deadlines
Understanding the George Mason University (GMU) academic calendar is crucial for all students. It provides essential information regarding registration, payment deadlines, add/drop periods, holidays, and examination schedules. Students are responsible for keeping track of important dates each semester. The university makes these dates public in both the printed schedule of classes as well as online at registrar.gmu.edu. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the GMU academic calendar, helping students stay organized and avoid potential issues.
Registration and Important Dates
Registration times are assigned to each class code in order of completed hours from most to least. To ensure a smooth registration process, students should go to Patriot Web to verify their registration time and to make sure they have a record free of holds that prevent registration.
Dates and deadlines listed on this page include full semester and 7.5 Week Sessions only. Students enrolled in courses in the 8 Week Modular Calendar need to refer to that calendar for their add/drop dates.
Understanding Part-of-Term Codes
GMU utilizes Part-of-Term codes to designate courses based on their duration within the semester. There are standard Part-of-Term codes designated for courses that meet for the full semester (1), the first half of the semester (1F), or the last half of the semester (1L). However, some courses meet for less than the full semester and have modified add, drop, and tuition liability dates. The part-of term code for non-standard courses will be listed in the section notes on Patriot Web. It's important to refer to the specific add/drop deadline dates associated with each Part-of-Term code, as courses may be assigned to a Part-of-Term code that doesn’t necessarily match the exact start and end date for the section. Certain meeting patterns offered in Session A, B, and C will fulfill the contact hour requirement prior to the final day of the Session. Face-to-face sections with the following meeting patterns will meet this requirement per the chart below.
Add/Drop Deadlines and Tuition Liability
Understanding the add/drop deadlines is essential for managing your course schedule and tuition liability. The academic calendar outlines specific dates for:
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- Last day to add or drop a course without academic approval: This is the deadline to make changes to your schedule without needing special permission.
- Last day to drop a course with academic approval and receive a 50% tuition refund: Dropping a course after this deadline may result in financial penalties.
- Last day to drop a course and receive 100% tuition refund: Missing this deadline means you won't receive a refund for the course.
Key Dates Throughout the Year
The GMU academic calendar includes important dates for each semester, including:
- Spring Semester:
- Spring semester classes begin.
- Last day to pay spring tuition without a late fee.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observed.
- Last day to add or drop a course without academic approval.
- Last day to drop a course with academic approval and receive a 50% tuition refund.
- Spring Recess.
- Examinations. The last exam is scheduled for Saturday, May 8.
- Summer Term:
- Summer Term classes begin.
- Last day to pay fall tuition without a late fee.
- Last day to add or drop summer classes without academic approval.
- Last day to drop a course and receive 100% tuition refund.
- Memorial Day.
- Juneteenth.
- Independence Day.
- Examinations. The last scheduled exam is Tuesday, July 13.
- Fall Semester:
- Fall semester classes begin.
- Last day to pay fall tuition without a late fee.
- Last day to add or drop fall classes without academic approval.
- Labor Day.
- Last day to drop a course with academic approval and receive a 50% tuition refund.
- Fall Break.
- Election Day.
- Thanksgiving Recess The University (and the building) is closed for Thanksgiving break 11/25-11/29.
- Examinations. The last scheduled exam is Monday, December 14.
- Last day to drop a Winter Term class and receive 100% tuition refund.
Special Considerations
- Master's in Organization Development & Knowledge Management (ODKM): ODKM courses are offered in an executive format, and the course schedule as well as add/drop deadlines may vary from the general academic calendar. ODKM students are responsible for adhering to the appropriate schedule, and any questions about registration deadlines should be directed to the ODKM academic advisor.
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