Navigating the Arizona State University Academic Calendar: A Comprehensive Guide
For students and faculty alike, understanding the academic calendar is crucial for planning semesters, breaks, and important deadlines. This article provides a detailed overview of the Arizona State University (ASU) academic calendar, focusing on key dates, breaks, and session formats for the 2024-2025 academic year and offering a peek into the projected dates for 2025-2026. Whether you're a prospective student, a current undergraduate, a graduate student, or an online learner, this guide will help you navigate the academic year efficiently.
Key Dates for 2024-2025 Academic Year
The three largest Arizona universities - Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University - have all been in session for about a month now. With fall break on the horizon, many residents and college students may be wondering when the schools will be in or out of session for the rest of the year. The trio of ASU, UA and NAU all have often different upcoming academic breaks. All three will be closed on Veterans Day and MLK Jr. Day, which fall on Nov. 11 and Jan. 20, respectively. Students of the universities can look forward to having those days off.
Here is a look at the upcoming breaks for Arizona's three largest universities, and their schedules for the rest of the 2024-25 academic year.
Arizona State University
- Fall Semester Classes Begin: August 22
- Fall Break: October 12 to October 15
- Thanksgiving Break: November 28 and November 29
- Fall Semester Classes End: December 6
- Spring Semester Classes Begin: January 13, 2025
- Spring Break: March 9 to March 16
- Spring Semester Classes End: May 2
University of Arizona
- Fall Semester Classes Begin: August 26
- Fall Break: October 12 to October 15
- Thanksgiving Break: November 28 to December 1
- Fall Semester Classes End: December 11
- Spring Semester Classes Begin: January 15, 2025
- Spring Break: March 8 to March 16
- Spring Semester Classes End: May 7
Northern Arizona University
- Fall Semester Classes Begin: August 26
- Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 28 and Nov. 29
- Fall Semester Classes End: Dec. 6
- Spring Semester Classes Begin: Jan.
ASU Academic Calendar 2025-2026: Essential Guide for Arizona State University Students
The ASU academic calendar for 2025-2026 provides a structured framework for students at Arizona State University (ASU), located in Tempe, Arizona. This semester-based Arizona State University academic calendar includes Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, with flexible sessions (A, B, and C) to accommodate diverse schedules. Whether you're searching for key dates via the ASU class search or ASU course search tools, understanding the Arizona State academic calendar helps in planning courses, breaks, and milestones effectively. Below, we outline the official and projected dates based on ASU's historical patterns and available data, ensuring you can align your academic journey seamlessly.
ASU's modular system offers condensed formats for accelerated learning, making it ideal for undergraduates, graduates, and online students. Always verify the latest updates on ASU's official registrar site, as dates may be subject to change.
Read also: Arizona Education System
Fall 2025 Semester: Key Dates in the ASU Academic Calendar
The Fall 2025 term kicks off the ASU academic calendar year, running from late August to mid-December. Use the ASU course search to explore classes starting in this semester.
- Session A (August 21 - October 10, 2025): Ideal for short-term courses.
- Classes Begin: August 21, 2025
- Last Day to Add/Drop Without Approval: August 22, 2025
- 100% Tuition Refund Deadline: August 27, 2025
- Course Withdrawal Deadline: September 10, 2025
- Classes End: October 10, 2025
- Final Grades Due: October 13, 2025
- Session B (October 15 - December 5, 2025): Perfect for mid-semester starts.
- Classes Begin: October 15, 2025
- Last Day to Add/Drop Without Approval: October 16, 2025
- 100% Tuition Refund Deadline: October 21, 2025
- Course Withdrawal Deadline: November 4, 2025
- Classes End: December 5, 2025
- Final Grades Due: December 8-15, 2025
- Session C (Full Semester: August 21 - December 5, 2025): Standard full-term option.
- Classes Begin: August 21, 2025
- Last Day to Add/Drop Without Approval: August 27, 2025
- 100% Tuition Refund Deadline: September 3, 2025
- Deadline to Apply for Graduation: October 1, 2025
- Classes End: December 5, 2025
- Final Exams: December 8-13, 2025
- Holidays and Breaks in Fall 2025 (Arizona State Academic Calendar):
- Labor Day (University Closed): September 1, 2025
- Fall Break (Classes Excused, University Open): October 11-14, 2025
- Veterans Day (University Closed): November 11, 2025
- Thanksgiving Break (University Closed): November 27-28, 2025
- Winter Break Begins: December 14, 2025 (campus largely closed through January 11, 2026)
- Registration for Fall 2025 opens February 27, 2025, with the Schedule of Classes available from February 24, 2025. Leverage the ASU class search tool to find courses that fit these dates.
Spring 2026 Semester: Highlights from the Arizona State University Academic Calendar
Spring 2026 continues the ASU academic calendar with classes resuming after winter break. The Arizona State academic calendar for Spring offers flexibility for catching up or advancing studies-check the ASU course search for available options.
- Session A (Projected: January 12 - March 6, 2026): Condensed early spring term.
- Classes Begin: January 12, 2026
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (University Closed): January 19, 2026
- Session B (Projected: March 16 - May 1, 2026): Post-break acceleration.
- Follows Spring Break for a fresh start.
- Session C (Full Semester: January 12 - May 1, 2026): Comprehensive term.
- Classes Begin: January 12, 2026
- Classes End: May 1, 2026 (projected)
- Final Exams: May 4-9, 2026 (projected)
- Holidays and Breaks in Spring 2026:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 19, 2026
- Spring Break: March 8-15, 2026
- Commencement (Graduate and Undergraduate): May 11, 2026
- Degree Conferral Date: May 11, 2026
Plan ahead using the ASU class search to align courses with these ASU academic calendar milestones.
Summer 2026 Sessions: Flexible Options in the ASU Academic Calendar
Summer 2026 provides shorter terms for accelerated progress in the Arizona State University academic calendar. Explore summer offerings via ASU course search for intensive studies.
- Session A (May 18 - June 26, 2026): Six-week early summer.
- Classes Begin: May 18, 2026
- Memorial Day (University Closed): May 25, 2026
- Session B (June 29 - August 7, 2026): Late summer focus.
- Independence Day Observed (University Closed): July 3, 2026
- Session C (May 18 - August 7, 2026): Extended full summer.
- Spans both A and B for comprehensive coverage.
Summer sessions offer flexibility for working students or those balancing commitments. Check the ASU class search for course availability.
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Admissions and Key Deadlines for Fall 2026 in the Arizona State Academic Calendar
Planning to join ASU? The Arizona State academic calendar integrates seamlessly with admissions timelines. For first-year students applying for Fall 2026:
- Priority Admission Deadline: November 1, 2025 (encouraged for scholarships and merit aid)
- Regular Admission Deadline: January 15, 2026
- Financial Aid (FAFSA) Priority Deadline: January 15, 2026 (ASU code: 001081)
- Enrollment Deposit Deadline: May 1, 2026 (projected)
- International Student Deadline: May 1, 2026 (earlier for visa processing; additional docs required)
- Decision Notifications: Rolling basis, typically March-April 2026
Meet competency requirements (e.g., 4 years math/English) and aptitude thresholds (e.g., top 25% class rank or 3.00 GPA). Submit applications via ASU's portal or Common App.
Understanding ASU Online Sessions
Details for current and upcoming semesters are found on Arizona State University's academic calendar.
Accelerated Online Learning
ASU Online offers condensed 7.5-week sessions, allowing students to focus on fewer courses at a time while maintaining a similar degree completion pace compared to on-campus programs. While ASU Online courses are condensed to 7.5-week sessions, you’re not completing four to five courses at a time as you may during an on-campus program,” said Sarah Shipp, director of academic portfolio management for EdPlus at ASU. “This gives you the opportunity to focus on one to three classes each session, while still completing your degree at a similar pace.
Degree Requirements
Although the online sessions are shorter in length, online and on-campus degree programs at Arizona State University have the same requirements and learning outcomes. You must complete 120 credits to earn your bachelor’s degree. So, ultimately, your degree completion timeline is dependent on you. Both online and on-campus students may enroll in up to 18 credits hours (or 19 credit hours for programs within the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering) for spring and fall semesters and seven credit hours for each summer session.
Read also: Understanding ASU Tuition
Managing the Workload in 7.5-Week Sessions
Because the workloads can be more intense than 15-week courses, you’ll need to prioritize your time and have a plan to successfully complete the courses. The compressed term length moves quickly and you may find you need to organize your time differently, set up new routines and develop study skills that will help you be successful,” said Meredith Toth, associate dean of learning systems and design at ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
Support Services for Online Students
ASU Online empowers student success with a suite of support services that are there to assist in your success every step of the way. One resource provided to every ASU Online student is a success coach, who is dedicated to you from day one to graduation.
Additional Calendar Information
Campus Calendar Fall 2025
- Wednesday, Aug. 20 Welcome Week
- Thursday, Aug. 21 Classes start
- Monday, Sep. 1 Labor Day I Campus Closed
- Wednesday, Sep. 3*Last day to drop a course without receiving a grade of W
- Saturday, Oct. 11 - Tuesday, Oct. 14 Fall Break
- Monday, Nov. 3 Registration begins for Spring 2026 courses
- Wednesday, Nov. 5 Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W'
- TBD Spring Student Orientation
- Tuesday, Nov. 11 Veteran's Day I Campus Closed
- Thursday, Nov. 27 -Friday, Nov. 28 Thanksgiving Break I Campus Closed
- Saturday, Nov. 29 Last day to make section/credit changes for Spring 2026 courses
- Sunday, Dec. 7 -Saturday, Dec. 13 Final exams
- Thursday, Dec. 25-Friday, Dec. 26 Holiday Break I Campus Closed
Spring 2025
- Wednesday, Aug. 13New Student Orientation
- Thursday, Aug. 21Classes start
- Thursday, Aug. 28*Last day to drop a course without receiving a grade of W
- Monday, Sept. 1Labor Day | campus closed
- Monday, Oct. 6-Wednesday, Oct. 8Fall Break
- Friday, Oct. 31Last day to withdraw with a grade of W
- Monday, Nov. 3Registration begins for spring 2026 courses
- Monday, Nov. 11Veterans Day | campus closed
- Wednesday, Nov. 26No classes
- Thursday, Nov. 27-Friday, Nov. 28Thanksgiving Break | campus closed
- Saturday, Nov. 29Last day to make section and credit changes for spring 2026 courses
- Saturday, Dec. 6Last day of regular classes
- Monday, Dec. 8-Saturday, Dec. 13Final exams
- Monday, Dec. 15, 2024-Friday, Jan. 2, 2025Winter Break
Summer 2025
- Monday, May 18Classes start
- Friday, May 22Last day to drop a course without receiving a grade of 'W'
- Monday, May 25Memorial Day I Campus Closed
- Sunday, June 7Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W'
- Friday, June 19Juneteenth I Campus Closed
- TBD Fall Student Orientation
- Friday, July 3Independence Day Observance I Campus Closed
- Sunday, July 5 -Friday, July 10Final exams
- Monday, July 13Registration begins for Fall 2026 courses
- Thursday, Aug.
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