Navigating the UWA Academic Calendar: Key Dates, Policies, and Procedures

The University of West Alabama (UWA) offers a comprehensive academic experience, focusing on student development both inside and outside the classroom. With a commitment to providing a great education and fostering personal growth, UWA offers a variety of resources, including clubs and organizations, Greek life, athletics, and diverse dining and residence options. The university prides itself on a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1, ensuring personalized attention, and supports students through financial aid, with 89% of students receiving assistance. A significant 67% of UWA faculty hold the highest-level degrees in their disciplines, reflecting the university's dedication to academic excellence.

Understanding the academic calendar is crucial for students, faculty, and staff to navigate the academic year effectively. This article provides a detailed overview of the UWA academic calendar, including important dates, policies, and procedures.

Key Dates and Deadlines

The UWA academic calendar is structured around multiple terms, including Fall (FA), Spring (SP), and Summer (SU) sessions, each further divided into sub-sessions (e.g., FA1, FA2, SP1, SU1). Here's a breakdown of critical dates and deadlines:

Fall Term (26FA and 26FA1)

August 11 (T): Deadline to file undergraduate academic appeal for readmission for 26FA and 26FA1. Full-time nine-month employees return. New faculty orientation.
August 13 (Th): Last day for students to self-register for 26FA and 26FA1. 100% tuition and fees due for 26FA and 26FA1. First deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 26FA and 26FA1.
August 14 (F): Graduation applications open for 27SP, 27SP1, and 27SP2.
August 17 (M): Classes commence for 26FA and 26FA1.
August 24 (M): Last day for adding courses for 26FA and 26FA1. Final deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 26FA and 26FA1.
August 25 (T): Last day for 100% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal and dropping courses for 26FA and 26FA1.
August 28 (F): Last day for 50% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal for 26FA and 26FA1. Last day to register for the Comprehensive Exam for 26FA and 26FA1.
September 7 (M): Labor Day Holiday. Campus closed. No campus classes meet.
September 11 (F): Comprehensive Exam given (Administered in Blackboard only) for 26FA and 26FA1.
September 14 (M): Midterm grades due for 26FA1 undergraduate courses.
September 21 (M): Last day for dropping or withdrawing from 26FA1 courses without academic penalty.
September 24 (Th): Last day to drop or withdraw from 26FA1 with academic penalty.
October 8 (Th): 26FA1 end of term. 26FA1 grades due.
October 12 (M): Midterm grades due for 26FA Undergraduate courses. October 12-13 (M-T) Fall Break. Campus closed. No campus classes meet.
October 15 (Th): Last day for students to self-register for 26FA2. 100% tuition and fees due for 26FA2. First deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 26FA2.
October 19 (M): Classes commence for 26FA2. Last day to submit graduation applications for 26FA and 26FA2.
October 22 (Th): Last day for dropping or withdrawing without academic penalty for 26FA.
October 26 (M): Final deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 26FA2. Last day for adding courses for 26FA2.
October 27 (T): Last day for 100% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal and dropping courses for 26FA2.
October 30 (F): Last day for 50% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal for 26FA2. Last day to register for the Comprehensive Exam for 26FA2.
November 2 (M): Registration opens for 27SP terms.
November 11 (W): Last day to drop or withdraw from 26FA with academic penalty.
November 13 (F): Comprehensive Exam given (Administered in Blackboard only) for 26FA2.
November 16 (M): Midterm grades due for 26FA2 Undergraduate courses.
November 23 (M): Last day for dropping or withdrawing without academic penalty for 26FA2. November 23-27 (M-F) Thanksgiving Holidays. Campus closed. No campus classes meet.
November 25 (W): Last day to drop or withdraw from 26FA2 with academic penalty.
December 2 (W): Last day of in-person classes for 26FA.
December 3 (Th): Study Day. No on-campus classes meet. University offices open.
December 4-10 (F-Th): Final Examinations for 26FA.
December 10 (Th): 26FA2 End of term.

Spring Term (27SP and 27SP1)

January 5 (T): Deadline to file undergraduate academic appeal for readmission for 27SP and 27SP1.
January 7 (Th): Last day for students to self-register for 27SP and 27SP1. 100% tuition and fees due for 27SP and 27SP1. First deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 27SP and 27SP1.
January 8 (F): Graduation applications open for 27SU, 27SU1, and 27SU2.
January 11 (M): Classes commence for 27SP and 27SP1.
January 18 (M): Martin Luther King Holiday. Campus closed. No campus classes meet.
January 19 (T): Last day for adding courses for 27SP and 27SP1. Final deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 27SP and 27SP1.
January 20 (W): Last day for 100% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal and dropping courses for 27SP and 27SP1.
January 22 (F): Last day for 50% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal for 27SP and 27SP1. Last day to register for the Comprehensive Exam for 27SP and 27SP1.
February 5 (F): Comprehensive Exam given (Administered in Blackboard only) for 27SP and 27SP1.
February 8 (M): Midterm grades due for 27SP1 undergraduate courses.
February 15 (M): Last day for dropping or withdrawing from 27SP1 courses without academic penalty. President’s Day. Campus closed. No campus classes meet.
February 18 (Th): Last day to drop or withdraw from 27SP1 with academic penalty.
February 22 (M): Registration opens for 27SU, 27SU1M, 27SU2M and 27FA terms.
March 4 (Th): 27SP1 end of term. 27SP1 grades due.
March 8 (M): Midterm grades due for 27SP undergraduate courses.
March 9 (Tu): Assessment Day. No campus classes meet. Campus closed. No campus classes meet.
April 9 (F): Comprehensive Exam given (Administered in Blackboard only) for 27SP2.
April 12 (M): Midterm grades due for 27SP2 Undergraduate courses.
April 13-14 (T-W): College Honors Day Ceremonies (to be announced).
April 14 (W): Last day to drop or withdraw from 27SP with academic penalty.
April 19 (M): Last day for dropping or withdrawing without academic penalty for 27SP2.
April 22 (Th): Last day to drop or withdraw from 27SP2 with academic penalty.
April 28 (W): Last day of in-person classes for 27SP.
April 29 (Th): Study Day. No on-campus classes meet.

Summer Term (27SU1, 27SU, 27SU1M, 27SU2, 27SU2M)

May 11 (T): Deadline to file undergraduate academic appeal for readmission for 27SU1.
May 13 (Th): Last day for students to self-register for 27SU1. 100% tuition and fees due for 27SU1. First Deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 27SU1.
May 17 (M): Classes commence for 27SU1. Last day to submit graduation applications for 27SU1. Graduation applications open for 27FA, 27FA1, and 27FA2.
May 20 (Th): Last day for adding courses for 27SU1. Final deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 27SU1.
May 21 (F): Last day for 100% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal and dropping courses for 27SU1.
May 25 (T): Deadline to file undergraduate academic appeal for readmission for 27SU and 27SU1M.
May 27 (Th): Last day for students to self-register for 27SU and 27SU1M. 100% tuition and fees due for 27SU and 27SU1M. First deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 27SU and 27SU1M. Last day to register for the Comprehensive Exam for 27SU1 and 27SU1M.
May 28 (F): Last day for 50% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal for 27SU1.
May 31 (M): Memorial Day Holiday. Campus closed. No campus classes meet.
June 1 (T): Classes commence for 27SU and 27SU1M.
June 3 (Th): Last day for 100% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal and dropping courses for 27SU1M.
June 7 (M): Last day for adding courses for 27SU and 27SU1M. Final deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 27SU and 27SU1M. Last day for dropping or withdrawing without academic penalty for 27SU1.
June 8 (T): Last day for 50% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal for 27SU1M. Last day for 100% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal and dropping courses for 27SU.
June 10 (Th): Last day to drop or withdraw from 27SU1 with academic penalty. Comprehensive Exam given (Administered in Blackboard only) for 27SU and 27SU1.
June 15 (T): Last day for dropping or withdrawing without academic penalty for 27SU1M. Last day for 50% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal for 27SU.
June 18 (F): Juneteenth Holiday. Campus closed. No campus classes meet.
June 23 (W): Last day to drop or withdraw from 27SU1M with academic penalty.
June 24 (Th): 27SU1 end of term. Grades due for 27SU1. Last day for students to self-register for 27SU2. 100% tuition and fees due for 27SU2. First deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 27SU2.
June 28 (M): Classes commence for 27SU2.
June 30 (W): Last day for dropping or withdrawing from 27SU courses without academic penalty.
July 1 (Th): Grades due for 27SU1M. Last day for adding courses for 27SU2. Final deregistration for all unpaid accounts for 27SU2.
July 2 (F): Last day for 100% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal and dropping courses for 27SU2.
July 5 (M): Independence Day Holiday. Campus closed. No campus classes meet.
July 6 (T): Classes commence for 27SU2M. Last day to submit graduation applications for 27SU2 and 27SU.
July 8 (Th): Last day for adding courses for 27SU2M. Last day for 100% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal and dropping courses for 27SU2M. Last day to register for the Comprehensive Exam for 27SU2.
July 9 (F): Last day for 50% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal for 27SU2.
July 13 (T): Last day for 50% refund of basic tuition and fees for withdrawal for 27SU2M.
July 15 (Th): Last day to drop or withdraw from 27SU with academic penalty.
July 19 (M): Last day for dropping or withdrawing from 27SU2 and 27SU2M courses without academic penalty.
July 22 (Th): Last day to drop or withdraw from 27SU2 with academic penalty. Comprehensive Exam given (Administered in Blackboard only) for 27SU2.
August 3 (T): Last day of in-person classes for 27SU.
August 4-5 (W-Th): Final Examinations for 27SU.
August 5 (Th): 27SU2 and 27SU2M end of term.

Key Considerations for Registration and Financial Matters

Registration: Students must self-register by the specified deadlines for each term and sub-term.
Tuition and Fees: Tuition and fees are due by the dates listed for each term. Failure to pay on time results in deregistration.
Deregistration: The university implements a deregistration process for unpaid accounts. Students should be aware of the first and final deregistration dates.
Refunds: Refund percentages for tuition and fees vary depending on the withdrawal date. Students should carefully note the deadlines for 100% and 50% refunds.

Academic Policies and Procedures

UWA is committed to maintaining academic integrity and fairness. Several policies and procedures are in place to address academic decisions, grading standards, and student appeals.

Grading Standards and Appeals

An instructor is expected to apply grading standards and other academic regulations equitably and to carefully guard against errors in all of these academic matters. If a student raises questions about a grade or another academic circumstance, the instructor should respond constructively, explaining the situation as carefully as possible and checking to be sure that no error has been made.

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A student who believes that the grading standards have not been equitably applied or that the instructor may have made an error in calculating his/her grade or who has other questions regarding his/her grade or other academic policies or decisions has the right to full explanation and clarification of such questions. This policy has been adopted by the University to ensure the student's right to appeal for reconsideration of such decisions. Any appeal of a grade must be initiated no later than 30 days after the final grade has been assigned, and any appeal involving application of an academic policy must be initiated no later than 30 days after application of the policy at issue.

The student must first confer with the instructor in an attempt to resolve the question before appealing to any administrator. When a student raises such questions, the instructor should carefully explain the basis for the decision and should allow the student to examine relevant documents. This does not mean that the instructor must provide the student with copies of tests, and he/she, of course, must not allow the student to see documents relating specifically to other students.

If unable to reach a resolution through conference with the instructor, the student may appeal to the instructor's department chairperson. The chairperson may request the instructor to provide, for information purposes, a written statement regarding the basis of the grade or decision and the result of the conference with the student and may also request permission to examine relevant tests and other documents as necessary. The department chairperson may find no basis for further consideration or may request the instructor to review the situation in order to be sure the student has been treated fairly and equitably.

If the matter is not resolved at the departmental level, the student may appeal to the dean of the college in which the class is offered (If the matter involves an online course and is a procedural rather than an academic matter, the academic dean will confer with the online dean). The student must present his/her grievance to the dean in writing, specifying in detail the basis of the appeal. The dean may require written statements from the instructor and/or department chairperson, as well as copies of tests and other relevant documents relating to the student in question and to other students in the class, which may assist in making a determination that the instructor has applied grading standards equitably. The dean may request the instructor to review the situation or may determine that no basis has been established for further consideration.

If the matter is not resolved by the dean's action, the student may appeal in writing to the Provost. The dean will forward to the Provost copies of the student's original grievance statement, the statement of the dean's decision, and all other documents considered. The Provost may require the student, the instructor, the department chairperson, and/or the dean to provide additional information as necessary. The Provost may request the instructor to review the situation or may determine that no basis has been established for further consideration.

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Final appeal for an academic grievance is to the President of the University, who will follow essentially the same process as the Provost after receiving the appeal in writing, requiring additional information as he/she deems necessary. Again, the President may request the instructor to review the situation or may dismiss the student's complaint.

In considering the student's appeal, the President, Provost, dean, or department chairperson may find it appropriate to talk with other students in the class or pursue other lines of inquiry in order to have as much relevant information as possible. The setting of grading standards for a specific class is the responsibility and prerogative of the instructor in that class. The administration's concern is limited primarily to assuring that student progress is carefully evaluated, grades are accurately reported, and established grading standards are applied fairly and equitably to all students in the class. However, if at any stage of the appeal process the instructor is asked to reconsider a grade or other academic decision, he/she should do so carefully and thoughtfully to ensure that the student is treated fairly and equitably in all respects. The instructor has the authority to change a grade with the approval of the appropriate academic administrator.

Academic Policy Appeals

Academic policies are established to provide guiding principles for fair decision making and, in some instances, to comply with regulations from accrediting bodies. A student who believes that an academic policy has not been equitably applied or who has other questions regarding the policy has the right to full explanation and clarification of such questions. Any appeal involving application of an academic policy must be made no later than 30 days after application of the policy at issue.

If the matter is not resolved through the explanation of the policy by an instructor or chairperson, the student must present his/her grievance to the dean in writing, specifying in detail the basis of the appeal. If the matter is not resolved by the dean's actions, the student may appeal in writing to the Provost. The dean will forward to the Provost copies of the student's original grievance statement, the statement of the dean's decision, and all other documents considered. Final appeal for an academic policy grievance is to the President of the University, who will follow essentially the same process as the Provost after receiving the appeal in writing, requiring additional information as he/she deems necessary. Again, the President may request the dean to review the situation or may dismiss the student's complaint.

Final Examinations

A final examination is given in every course at the end of the semester in accordance with a definite schedule. Students may request permission to reschedule one or two of their final examinations if they have three or four exams on the same day. The student must submit a formal written request to reschedule an exam at least two weeks before the first day of final exams.

Name Change Procedure

To process a name change, the University of West Alabama requires a copy of the completed form along with legal documentation verifying the change.

Resources and Services

UWA provides numerous resources and services to support students throughout their academic journey.

The Registrar’s Office

The Registrar’s Office offers a wide range of services to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and off-campus agencies. Their role is to accurately maintain and protect students’ permanent records and assist the University community with registration, scheduling, grading, graduation, and transcript issuance.

Transcript Services

You can order transcripts using your debit/credit card anytime. Processing times may vary due to the number of factors, but your order is usually processed within 24 hours. To order an official transcript, visit the National Student Clearinghouse and click on the green “Order Transcript(s)” button.

UWA Campus School

At the University of West Alabama’s Campus School, a part of the Julia Tutwiler College of Education, the focus is on training competent teachers for Alabama’s school systems and enhancing instructional programs within our service area. Serving students from 8 weeks to 4 years old, we uphold the highest standards of ethical behavior and integrity, creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment.

Registration Guides

Learn how to register for classes in UWA’s student portal with step-by-step video guides.

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