Navigating the Academic Calendar: A Comprehensive Guide to URI Semester Schedules

Understanding the University of Rhode Island's (URI) academic calendar is crucial for students, faculty, and staff. This article provides a detailed overview of the key dates and deadlines for the Fall, Early Spring, Spring, and Summer semesters, including important registration periods, holidays, and examination schedules.

Fall Semester

The Fall semester at URI typically begins in late August. Here's a breakdown of the key dates:

Fall 2025

August 4/5 (Monday/Tuesday): First-Year Student Orientation
August 7 (Thursday): Transfer Student Orientation
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)

Fall 2026

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

Important Dates within the Fall Semester

Orientation: First-year and transfer student orientations are held in early August to help students acclimate to the university environment.
Registration: Fall registration for non-degree undergraduate students typically begins in mid-August.
Holidays: Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veteran's Day, and Thanksgiving Recess are observed during the Fall semester, with closures and/or modified library hours.
Withdrawal Deadline: The last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of "W" is usually in early November.
Final Examinations: Final exams take place in mid-December, followed by the deadline for final grades.

Fall Semester: 7-Week Sessions (BPS)

URI also offers 7-week sessions within the Fall semester, known as BPS (Bachelor of Professional Studies) courses. These accelerated sessions have their own unique schedules:

Fall 2025 (7W1 & 7W2)

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)

Fall 2026 (7W1 & 7W2)

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)

Early Spring Semester

The Early Spring semester is a short session that takes place between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Early Spring 2025

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

Early Spring 2026

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

Important Dates within the Early Spring Semester

Add/Drop Deadline: The last day to add or drop an Early Spring course is typically the first day of classes.

Spring Semester

The Spring semester generally starts in January.

Read also: UVA Programs and Deadlines

Spring 2026

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 14 (Saturday): Make up day (if needed and so designated by administration)
February 16 (Monday): Summer registration begins for degree students
February 23 (Monday): Summer registration begins for non-degree students
March 9 (Monday): Spring recess begins
March 16 (Monday): Classes resume
March 18 (Wednesday): Mid-semester grades due
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 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
May 4 (Monday): Last day of classes
May 5 (Tuesday): Reading Day
May 6 (Wednesday): Final examinations begin
May 12 (Tuesday): Final examinations end
May 13 (Wednesday): Senior grades due by 4 pm; 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

Spring 2027

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

Important Dates within the Spring Semester

New Student Orientation: Held in early January for incoming students.
Martin Luther King Day: No classes, college closed, library closed.
Spring Recess: A week-long break in March.
Withdrawal Deadline: The last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of "W" is typically in late March or early April.
Commencement: Graduation ceremonies are held in May.

Spring Semester: 7-Week Sessions (7W1 & 7W2)

URI also offers 7-week sessions within the Spring semester.

Spring 2026 (7W1 & 7W2)

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.

Spring 2027 (7W1 & 7W2)

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.

Summer Sessions

URI offers two summer sessions, allowing students to accelerate their studies or catch up on coursework.

Summer Sessions 2026

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), 19 (Friday): 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.

Summer Sessions 2027

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.

Important Dates within the Summer Sessions

Memorial Day, Juneteenth Day, Independence Day: No classes, college closed, library closed.
Orientation: First-Year and Transfer Student Orientations.
Add/Drop Deadlines: Specific deadlines for each summer session.
Withdrawal Deadlines: Specific deadlines for each summer session.

Graduate School Deadlines

In addition to the general academic calendar, graduate students should be aware of specific deadlines related to thesis/dissertation submissions and graduation requirements. These deadlines typically include:

Request to Schedule an Oral Defense form due to the Graduate School: Students are responsible to distribute defendable copies directly to faculty members.
Final date for changes of grades, changes to Programs of Study, results of master’s examination(s), results of comprehensive examination(s), etc. to be received in the Graduate School for certification for August/December/May graduation.
Final date for potential August/December/May graduates to submit, in final, correctly formatted form, theses/dissertations that have been successfully defended, and fully approved.

Specific dates for these deadlines vary by graduation term (August, December, May) and can be found on the URI Graduate School website. For example:

For August Graduation: Request to Schedule an Oral Defense form due in July. Final date for thesis/dissertation submission is in August.
For December Graduation: Request to Schedule an Oral Defense form due in November. Final date for thesis/dissertation submission is in December.
For May Graduation: Request to Schedule an Oral Defense form due in March/April. Final date for thesis/dissertation submission is in April.

Weather-Related Closures and Make-Up Days

Unforeseen circumstances, such as severe weather, can sometimes lead to university closures. In such cases, URI aims to resume operations as quickly and safely as possible. For instance, after weather closures, the university has reopened administrative offices and resumed classes, with faculty communicating course plans directly with students.

To address the impact of weather closures on instructional time, the provost’s office often works with the Faculty Senate to explore options for a makeup day.

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