Rhode Island College Academic Calendar: A Comprehensive Guide

This article provides a detailed overview of the Rhode Island College (RIC) academic calendar, covering important dates, deadlines, and events for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Early Spring 2025/2026 sessions. This information is intended to help students, faculty, and staff stay informed and plan accordingly.

Fall Semester 2025

The Fall Semester 2025 begins with First-Year Student Orientation on August 4th and 5th (Monday/Tuesday), followed by Transfer Student Orientation on August 7th (Thursday). Key dates include:

August 11 (Monday): Victory Day
August 14 (Thursday): Fall registration begins for non-degree students (undergrad)
August 18 (Monday): President's Opening Address, RIC Community Development Day
August 19 (Tuesday): New Faculty Orientation
August 21 (Thursday): New Student Orientation Make-up Day
August 22 (Friday): Move-in Day for First-Year Resident Students, Waiver registration day for seniors and unemployed RI residents
August 23 (Saturday): Anchors Away
August 25 (Monday): Fall classes begin
August 27 (Wednesday): First-Year Convocation
September 1 (Monday): Labor Day (no classes, college closed, library closed)
September 2 (Tuesday): Last day to add without permission from department; students may still drop classes without permission (undergraduate programs only except 7 week classes)
September 8 (Monday): Last day to add/drop (with permission) & drop (all academic programs except 7 week classes)
October 13 (Monday): Indigenous Peoples Day (no classes, college closed, library open--holiday hours)
October 15 (Wednesday): Monday classes meet
October 18 (Saturday): Make-up day (if needed and so designated by administration)
October 22 (Wednesday): Mid-semester grades due by noon
November 1 (Saturday): Admissions Open House
November 4 (Tuesday): Election day - classes in session, offices open
November 5 (Wednesday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned
November 10 (Monday): Spring, early spring registration begins for degree students
November 11 (Tuesday): Veteran's Day Observed - (no classes, college closed, library open - holiday hours)
November 27-30 (Thursday-Sunday): Thanksgiving Recess
December 1 (Monday): Classes resume
December 2 (Tuesday): Early Spring registration begins for all non-degree students (if you never attended RIC you will need to create an account)
December 5 (Friday): Registration begins for non-degree graduate students
December 6 (Saturday): Fall semester classes end
December 8 (Monday): Reading Day
December 9 (Tuesday): Final examinations begin
December 15 (Monday): Final examinations end
December 16 (Tuesday): Make-up date for final examinations
December 19 (Friday): Final Grades Due at 4 pm
December 25 (Thursday): Christmas Day (college closed, library closed)

Early Spring 2025

December 29 (Monday): Early Spring classes begin; Last day to Add/Drop an Early Spring course

Spring Semester 2026

The Spring Semester 2026 includes New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Day. Key dates include:

January 1 (Thursday): New Year's Day (college closed, library closed)
January 7 (Wednesday): New Student Orientation
January 12 (Monday): Spring registration begins for non-degree students (undergrad)
January 15 (Thursday): New Student Orientation
January 16 (Friday): Early Spring classes end; Waiver registration day for seniors and unemployed RI residents
January 19 (Monday): Martin Luther King Day (no classes, college closed, library closed)
January 20 (Tuesday): Spring classes begin; Early Spring Final Grades Due at 4:00PM
January 26 (Monday): Last day to add without permission from department; students may still drop classes without permission (undergraduate programs only except 7 week classes)
February 2 (Monday): Last day to add (with permission) & drop (all academic programs except 7 week classes)
February 13 (Friday): Town Hall
February 14 (Saturday): Make up day (if needed and so designated by administration)
February 15 (Monday): Summer registration begins for degree students
February 21 (Saturday): WinterFest
February 23 (Monday): Summer registration begins for non-degree students
March 9 (Monday): Spring recess begins
March 9-15: Spring Break
March 16 (Monday): Classes resume
March 17 (Wednesday): Mid-semester grades due
March 19 (Thursday): RIC Day at the State House
March 21 (Saturday): Make-up day (if needed and so designated by administration)
March 28 (Saturday): Accepted Students Day
April 1 (Wednesday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned.
April 6 (Monday): Fall registration begins for degree students
April 8 (Wednesday): Grad Fest
April 18 (Saturday): Make up day (if needed and so designated by administration)
April 27 (Monday): Non-degree graduate student registration for fall
April 29 (Wednesday): Cap and Gown Convocation
April 30 (Thursday): Medical Imaging Pinning
May 1 (Friday): Block Party
May 4 (Monday): Last day of classes
May 5 (Tuesday): Reading Day, Late Night Breakfast
May 6 (Wednesday): Final examinations begin
May 12 (Tuesday): Final examinations end, SSW Graduation Celebration
May 13 (Wednesday): Senior grades due by 4 pm, Nursing Pinning, Make-up date for final examinations
May 14 (Thursday): Advanced Degree Commencement Ceremony
May 15 (Friday): All other grades due by 4 pm, Summer Session I Waiver registration day for seniors and unemployed RI residents
May 16 (Saturday): Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

Summer Sessions 2026

Summer Sessions 2026 include two sessions with specific add/drop and withdrawal deadlines.

May 18 (Monday): Summer Session I begins
May 22 (Friday): Last day for adding or dropping courses without a charge (Summer Session I)
May 25 (Monday): Memorial Day (no classes, college closed, library closed)
June 5 (Friday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned.
June 15/16 (Monday, Tuesday): First-Year Orientation
June 18 (Thursday): Transfer Orientation
June 19 (Friday): Juneteenth Day (no classes, college closed, library closed)
June 26 (Friday): Summer Session I ends; Summer Session II waiver registration day for seniors and unemployed RI citizens
June 29 (Monday): Summer Session II begins
June 30 (Tuesday): Summer Session I grades are due by 4 pm
July 3 (Friday): Last day for adding or dropping courses without a charge (Summer Session II)
July 6 (Monday): Independence Day Observed (college closed, library closed)
July 13 (Monday): Transfer Orientation
July 16/17 (Thursday/Friday): First-Year Orientation
July 17 (Friday): Last day to withdraw.

Fall Semester 2026

The Fall Semester 2026 follows a similar structure to Fall 2025, with some date adjustments. Key dates include:

Read also: College Student Internships RI

August 3/4 (Monday/Tuesday): First-Year Student Orientation
August 6 (Thursday): Transfer Student Orientation
August 10 (Monday): Victory Day
August 20 (Thursday): Fall registration begins for non-degree students (undergrad)
August 24 (Monday): President's Opening Address, RIC Community Development Day
August 25 (Tuesday): New Faculty Orientation
August 27 (Thursday): New Student Orientation Make-up Day
August 28 (Friday): Move-in Day for First-Year Resident Students, Fall waiver registration day for seniors and unemployed RI residents
August 29 (Saturday): Anchors Away
August 31 (Monday): Fall classes begin
September 2 (Wednesday): First-Year Convocation
September 7 (Monday): Labor Day (no classes, college closed, library closed)
September 8 (Tuesday): Last day to add without permission from department; students may still drop classes without permission (undergraduate programs only except 7 week classes)
September 14 (Monday): Last day to (add with permission) & drop (all academic programs except 7 week classes)
October 12 (Monday): Indigenous Peoples Day (no classes, college closed, library open--holiday hours)
October 17 (Saturday): Make-up day (if needed and so designated by administration)
October 28 (Wednesday): Mid-semester grades due by noon
November 3 (Tuesday): Election day - (no classes, college closed, library closed)
November 7 (Saturday): Admissions Open House
November 11 (Wednesday): Veteran's Day Observed - (no classes, college closed, library open - holiday hours)
November 12 (Thursday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned
November 16 (Monday): Spring, early spring registration begins for degree students
November 26-29 (Thursday-Sunday): Thanksgiving Recess
November 30 (Monday): Classes resume, Early Spring registration begins for all non-degree students (if you never attended RIC you will need to create an account)
December 1 (Tuesday): Registration begins for non-degree graduate students
December 12 (Saturday): Make-up day (if needed and so designated by administration)
December 14 (Monday): Fall semester classes end
December 15 (Tuesday): Reading Day
December 16 (Wednesday): Final examinations begin
December 22 (Tuesday): Final examinations end
December 23 (Wednesday): Make-up date for final examinations
December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day (college closed, library closed)
December 28 (Monday): Final Grades Due at 4 pm

Early Spring 2026

December 28 (Monday): Early Spring classes begin; Last day to Add/Drop an Early Spring course

Spring Semester 2027

The Spring Semester 2027 follows a similar structure to Spring 2026, with some date adjustments. Key dates include:

January 1 (Friday): New Year's Day (college closed, library closed)
January 6 (Wednesday): New Student Orientation
January 11 (Monday): Spring registration begins for non-degree students (undergrad)
January 14 (Thursday): New Student Orientation
January 15 (Friday): Early Spring classes end; Waiver registration day for seniors and unemployed RI residents
January 18 (Monday): Martin Luther King Day (no classes, college closed, library closed)
January 19 (Tuesday): Spring classes begin, Early Spring Final Grades Due at 4:00PM
January 25 (Monday): Last day to add without permission from department; students may still drop classes without permission (undergraduate programs only except 7 week classes)
February 1 (Monday): Last day to add (with permission) & drop (all academic programs except 7 week classes)
February 13 (Saturday): Make up day (if needed and so designated by administration)
February 15 (Monday): Summer registration begins for degree students
February 22 (Monday): Summer registration begins for non-degree students
March 8 (Monday): Spring recess begins
March 15 (Monday): Classes resume
March 17 (Wednesday): Mid-semester grades due
March 20 (Saturday): Make-up day (if needed and so designated by administration)
March 31 (Saturday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned.
April 3 (Saturday): Accepted Students Day
April 5 (Monday): Fall registration begins for degree students
April 17 (Saturday): Make up day (if needed and so designated by administration)
April 19 (Monday): Non-degree graduate student registration for fall
April 21 (Wednesday): Cap and Gown Convocation
May 3 (Monday): Last day of classes
May 4 (Tuesday): Reading Day
May 5 (Wednesday): Final examinations begin
May 11 (Tuesday): Final examinations end
May 12 (Wednesday): Senior grades due by 4 pm, Make-up date for final examinations
May 13 (Thursday): Advanced Degree Commencement Ceremony
May 14 (Friday): All other grades due by 4:00pm; Summer Session I waiver registration for seniors and unemployed RI residents
May 15 (Saturday): Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

Summer Sessions 2027

Summer Sessions 2027 include two sessions with specific add/drop and withdrawal deadlines.

May 17 (Monday): Summer Session I begins
May 21 (Friday): Last day for adding or dropping courses without a charge (Summer Session I)
May 31 (Monday): Memorial Day (no classes, college closed, library closed)
June 4 (Friday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned.
June 14/15 (Monday, Tuesday): First-Year Orientation
June 17 (Thursday): Transfer Orientation
June 21 (Monday): Juneteenth Observed (no classes, college closed, library closed)
June 25 (Friday): Summer Session I ends; Summer Session II waiver registration day for seniors and unemployed RI citizens
June 28 (Monday): Summer Session II begins
June 29 (Tuesday): Summer Session I grades are due by 4 pm
July 5 (Monday): Independence Day Observed (college closed, library closed)
July 9 (Friday): Last day for adding or dropping courses without a charge (Summer Session II)
July 12 (Monday): Transfer Orientation
July 15/16 (Thursday, Friday): First-Year Orientation
July 16 (Friday): Last day to withdraw.

BPS 7-Week Sessions: Fall 2025

The Fall Semester also includes two 7-week sessions (7W1 and 7W2) for BPS classes.

August 18 (Monday): Last day to add BPS classes (7W1)
August 25 (Monday): Classes begin - BPS first 7-week session (7W1)
August 29 (Friday): Last day to drop (7W1)
September 12 (Friday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned (7W1)
October 10 (Friday): Classes end - first 7W (7W1)
October 13 (Monday): Indigenous People's Day (college closed, library open--holiday hours), Last day to add 7W classes (7W2)
October 13-17 (Monday-Friday): Break
October 20 (Monday): Classes begin - second 7-weeks (7W2)
October 24 (Friday): Last day to drop (7W2), Final grades due (7W1)
November 4 (Tuesday): Election day - (classes in session, offices open)
November 11 (Tuesday): Veteran's Day - (college closed, library open - holiday hours)
November 14 (Friday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned (7W2)
November 27-30 (Thursday- Sunday): Thanksgiving Recess
December 1 (Monday): Classes resume
December 5 (Friday): Classes end -second 7 weeks (7W2)
December 19 (Friday): Final Grades Due at 4 pm (7W2)
December 25 (Thursday): Christmas Day observed (college closed, library closed)

BPS 7-Week Sessions: Spring 2026

January 1 (Thursday): New Year’s Day observed (college closed, library closed)
January 12 (Monday): Last day to add 7W courses (7W1)
January 19 (Monday): Martin Luther King Day (college closed, library closed)
January 20 (Tuesday): Classes begin - first 7 weeks (7W1)
January 26 (Monday): Last day to drop (7W1)
February 9 (Monday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned (7W1).
March 6 (Friday): Last day of classes (7W1)
March 9 (Monday): Last day to add 7W classes (7W2)
March 9-13 (Monday-Friday): Break
March 16 (Monday): Classes begin - second 7 weeks (7W2)
March 20 (Friday): Final grades due (7W1), Last day to drop (7W2)
April 3 (Friday): Last day to withdraw.

BPS 7-Week Sessions: Fall 2026

The Fall Semester also includes two 7-week sessions (7W1 and 7W2) for BPS classes.

August 17 (Monday): Last day to add BPS classes (7W1)
August 24 (Monday): Classes begin - BPS first 7-week session (7W1)
August 28 (Friday): Last day to drop (7W1)
September 11 (Friday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned (7W1)
October 9 (Friday): Classes end - first 7W (7W1)
October 12 (Monday): Indigenous People's Day (college closed, library open--holiday hours), Last day to add 7W classes (7W2)
October 12-16 (Monday-Friday): Break
October 19 (Monday): Classes begin - second 7-weeks (7W2)
October 23 (Friday): Last day to drop (7W2), Final grades due (7W1)
November 3 (Tuesday): Election day - (no classes, college closed, library closed)
November 9 (Monday): Veteran's Day - (college closed, library open - holiday hours)
November 6 (Friday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned (7W2)
November 26-37 (Thursday- Sunday): Thanksgiving Recess
November 30 (Monday): Classes resume
December 4 (Friday): Classes end -second 7 weeks (7W2)
December 18 (Friday): Final Grades Due at 4 pm (7W2)
December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day observed (college closed, library closed)

BPS 7-Week Sessions: Spring 2027

January 1 (Friday): New Year’s Day observed (college closed, library closed)
January 11 (Monday): Last day to add 7W courses (7W1)
January 18 (Monday): Martin Luther King Day (college closed, library closed)
January 19 (Tuesday): Classes begin - first 7 weeks (7W1)
January 25 (Monday): Last day to drop (7W1)
February 8 (Monday): Last day to withdraw. A grade of W will be assigned (7W1).
March 5 (Friday): Last day of classes (7W1)
March 8 (Monday): Last day to add 7W classes (7W2)
March 8-12 (Monday-Friday): Break
March 15 (Monday): Classes begin - second 7 weeks (7W2)
March 19 (Friday): Final grades due (7W1), Last day to drop (7W2)
April 2 (Friday): Last day to withdraw.