Nova Southeastern University: Academic Calendar and Key Dates
Nova Southeastern University (NSU), a private institution founded in 1964, operates on a semester-based academic calendar. Ranked #257 in National Universities and #204 in Top Performers on Social Mobility in the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, NSU's suburban campus spans 314 acres. With a student-faculty ratio of 16:1 and an undergraduate enrollment of 7,311 (fall 2024), NSU provides a comprehensive academic environment. The university accepts the Common Application, and its tuition and fees amount to $40,200. A significant 65% of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, with the average net price for federal loan recipients being $28,219. The four-year graduation rate stands at 55%, and six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $58,153. This article provides a detailed overview of the academic calendar, including important dates and deadlines for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters.
Fall 2025 Semester
The Fall 2025 semester at Nova Southeastern University includes a 15-week session and multiple 7-week mini sessions. It is important for students, faculty, and staff to be aware of key dates related to registration, deadlines, holidays, and examinations.
15-Week Semester
The 15-week semester is the traditional length for a fall semester, offering a comprehensive schedule of courses and activities.
Key Dates:
- State of the University Address/Faculty/Staff/School/Department Meetings/Faculty Information Workshops: Wednesday, August 13 - Friday, August 15
- Departmental Advising and Registration: Thursday, August 14 - Saturday, August 16
- Classes Begin/Late Registration: Saturday, August 16
- Deadline for Late Registration/Adding Courses/Declaring Audit (15 week & Mini Term A/C course: Friday, August 22
- Deadline to Drop a Course and Receive 100% Refund (24/1 and Mini Term 1A/1C): Friday, August 22
- Labor Day Holiday (No Classes): Monday, September 1
- Founders Day Convocation: Thursday, September 18
- Deadline to Apply for December 2025 Graduation: Friday, September 19
- 5th Week, First Advisory Grades Due (15 week session): Tuesday, September 23
- Fall Wellness Break (No Classes - University Offices Open): Thursday, October 9 - Friday, October 10
- Mid Term Grading for Graduate Courses: Tuesday, October 14
- Registration for Spring 2026 Semester Begins: Monday, October 27
- 10th week, Second Advisory Grades Due (15 week session): Tuesday, October 28
- Election Day and Reading Day (No Classes - University Open): Tuesday, November 4
- Deadline to Drop a Course (24/1, 24/1B, 24/1D, 24/1P): Tuesday, November 18
- Final Grades Due for December 2025 Graduates: Tuesday, November 25
- Classes End Tuesday, November 25 (Last Day to Withdraw from the University without Academic Penalty): Tuesday, November 25
- Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, November 26 - Sunday, November 30
- Final Examination Period: Monday, December 1 - Friday, December 5
- COMMENCEMENT: Saturday, December 6
- Deadline to Report Final Grades: Tuesday, December 9
Registration One-Stop Shop: Registration One-Stop Shop and Advising Services will be located on the first floor of the Student Center, Room 149, beginning Friday, August 15, 2025, through Friday, August 22, 2025, for registration.
Fall 7-Week Mini Session (Term A)
The Fall 7-Week Mini Session (Term A) provides an accelerated option for students to complete coursework in a condensed timeframe.
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Key Dates:
- Classes Begin/Late Registration: Monday, August 18
- Deadline for Late Registration/ Modifying Courses/Declaring Audit: Friday, August 22
- Deadline to Drop a Course and Receive 100% Refund: Friday, August 22
- Labor Day Holiday (No Classes): Monday, September 1
- Mini Term A advisory grades due: Tuesday, September 9
- Founders Day Convocation: Thursday, September 18
- Deadline to Apply for December 2025 Graduation: Friday, September 19
- Deadline to Drop a Course: Tuesday, September 23 (Last day to withdraw from all classes without academic penalty)
- Classes End: Thursday, October 2 (Last Day to withdraw from University without Academic Penalty)
- Final Examination Period: Friday, October 3
- Deadline to Report Final Grades: Tuesday, October 7
Fall 7-Week Mini Session (Term B)
Following Term A, Term B offers another opportunity for students to engage in accelerated coursework.
Key Dates:
- Classes Begin/Late Registration: Monday, October 13
- Deadline for Late Registration/Modifying Courses/Declaring Audit: Friday, October 17
- Deadline to Drop a Course and Receive a 100% Refund: Friday, October 17
- Registration for Spring 2026 Semester Begins: Monday, October 27
- Mini Term B Advisory Grades Due: Tuesday, November 4
- Election Day and Reading Day (No Classes- University Open): Tuesday, November 4
- Deadline to Drop Course: Tuesday, November 18
- Classes End: Tuesday, November 25 (Last Day to Withdraw from the University without Academic Penalty)
- Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, November 26 - Sunday, November 30
- Final Examination Period: Monday, December 1
- Final Grades Due for December 2025 Graduates: Tuesday, December 2
- Deadline to Report Final Grades: Tuesday, December 9
Fall 7-Week Accelerated Programs Mini Sessions (Terms O and P)
Terms O and P are designed to provide an accelerated academic experience, allowing students to complete courses quickly.
Term O (August 18 - October 3, 2025):
- Classes Begin/Late Registration: Monday, August 18
- Deadline to Declare Audit and/or to Drop a Course and Receive a 100% Refund: Monday, August 18
- Labor Day Holiday (No Classes): Monday, September 1
- Mini Term O Advisory Grades due (7-week session): Tuesday, September 9
- Founder's Day: Thursday, September 18
- Deadline to Apply for December 2025 Graduation: Friday, September 19
- Deadline to Drop a Course: Tuesday, September 23
- Classes End: Thursday, October 2 (Last Day to Withdraw from All Classes without Academic Penalty)
- Final Examination Period: Friday, October 3
- Deadline to Report Final Grades: Tuesday, October 7
Term P (October 13 - December 1, 2025):
- Classes Begin/Late Registration: Monday, October 13
- Deadline to Declare Audit and/or to Drop a Course and Receive a 100% Refund: Monday, October 13
- Registration for Spring 2026 Semester Begins: Monday, October 27
- Mini Term P Advisory Grades Due: Tuesday, November 4
- Election Day & Reading Day (No Classes- University Open): Tuesday, November 4
- Deadline to Drop a Course: Tuesday, November 18
- Classes End: Wednesday, November 25 (Last day to Withdraw from All Classes without Academic Penalty)
- Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, November 25- Sunday, November 30
- Final Examination Period: Monday, December 1
- Final Grades Due for December 2025 Graduates: Tuesday, December 2
- Deadline to Report Final Grades: Tuesday, December 9
Spring 2026 Semester
The Spring 2026 semester at Nova Southeastern University continues the academic year with another 15-week session and associated mini-terms.
15-Week Semester
The 15-week semester offers a traditional schedule, allowing for in-depth study and engagement.
Key Dates:
- University/Faculty/Staff/School/Department Meetings/Workshops: Tuesday, January 6 - Friday, January 9
- Departmental Advising and Registration: Thursday, January 8 - Saturday, January 10
- Classes Begin/Late Registration: Saturday, January 10
- Deadline for Late Registration/Modifying Courses/Declaring Audit (15 week & mini Term A/C courses): Friday, January 16
- Deadline to Drop a Course and Receive 100% Refund (24/2 and Mini Term 2A/2C): Friday, January 16
- Martin Luther King Day (University Closed): Monday, January 19
- Deadline to Apply for May 2026 Graduation: Friday, February 6
- At the 5th week, First Advisory Grades Due (15 week session): Tuesday, February 17
- Spartan Wellness Day (No Classes - University Offices Open): Tuesday, February 17
- Mid Term Grading for Graduate Courses: Tuesday, March 10
- Spring Break (No Classes- University Open): Monday, March 9 - Saturday, March 14
- Registration for Summer and Fall 2026 Semester: Monday, March 23
- At the 10th week, Second Advisory Grades Due (15-week session): Tuesday, March 24
- Spartan Wellness Day (No Classes - University Offices Open): Friday, April 10
- Deadline to Drop a Course: Friday, April 21
- Final Grades Due for May 2026 Graduates: Wednesday, April 29
- Classes End: Friday, May 1 (Last Day to Withdraw from All Classes Without Academic Penalty)
- Final Examination Period: Saturday, May 2 - Friday, May 8
- COMMENCEMENT: Saturday, May 9
- Deadline to Report Final Grades: Tuesday, May 12
Registration One-Stop Shop: Advising and Registration Services will be located on the first floor of the Student Center room 149 beginning, Friday, January 9, 2026 through Friday, January 16, 2026.
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Understanding the Academic Calendar
The academic calendar at Nova Southeastern University is structured to provide students with multiple options for completing their coursework, including traditional 15-week semesters and accelerated 7-week mini sessions. Each term has specific deadlines for registration, dropping courses, and applying for graduation.
Key Components of the Academic Calendar
Registration and Enrollment:
- Late Registration: Students who miss the initial registration period have the opportunity to register during the late registration period. However, it's crucial to be aware of the deadlines to avoid any penalties.
- Adding Courses: Students can add courses within a specified timeframe at the beginning of each term.
- Declaring Audit: Students can choose to audit a course, which means they attend the course without receiving credit. The deadline for declaring an audit is typically the same as the deadline for adding courses.
Deadlines and Refunds:
- 100% Refund Deadline: Students who drop a course by the specified deadline are eligible for a full refund of the tuition fees associated with that course.
- Course Withdrawal: Students can withdraw from a course after the refund deadline, but they may not receive a full refund. The academic calendar specifies the final date to withdraw from courses without academic penalty.
Holidays and Breaks:
- Labor Day: A federal holiday that results in no classes and the closure of some university offices.
- Thanksgiving Break: A multi-day break in late November, providing students and faculty with time off.
- Fall and Spring Wellness Breaks: Days where classes are not held, but university offices remain open, allowing students to focus on their well-being.
- Martin Luther King Day: A federal holiday observed in January, resulting in university closures.
- Spring Break: A week-long break in March, offering students a respite from their studies.
Grading and Assessment:
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- Advisory Grades: Instructors provide advisory grades at the 5th and 10th weeks of the 15-week sessions to give students an indication of their academic performance.
- Mid-Term Grading: Graduate courses often have mid-term grading periods to assess student progress.
- Final Grades: Instructors must submit final grades by the specified deadline, which is particularly important for graduating students.
Special Events:
- State of the University Address: An address by university leadership to faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
- Founders Day Convocation: A celebration of the university's founding.
- Commencement: Graduation ceremonies held at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
- Election Day and Reading Day: A day with no classes to allow students to vote and focus on studying.
Tips for Navigating the Academic Calendar
Mark Important Dates:
- Transfer all key dates from the academic calendar to your personal calendar or planner.
- Set reminders for deadlines related to registration, dropping courses, and applying for graduation.
Plan Ahead:
- Register for courses as early as possible to secure your spot in the classes you need.
- Review the academic calendar before making travel plans to ensure you do not miss any important deadlines or events.
Stay Informed:
- Regularly check the university's website and your NSU email account for updates and announcements related to the academic calendar.
- Attend departmental advising sessions to get personalized guidance on course selection and academic planning.
Utilize University Resources:
- Take advantage of the Registration One-Stop Shop and advising services for assistance with registration and academic planning.
- Consult with academic advisors to ensure you are on track to meet your graduation requirements.
Balance Academics and Well-being:
- Use wellness breaks and other holidays to recharge and focus on your physical and mental health.
- Participate in university events and activities to enhance your overall college experience.
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