Navigating the Academic Calendar at Emory University

Emory University, a private institution founded in 1836, operates on a semester-based academic calendar. Understanding this calendar is crucial for students to effectively plan their academic journey, from registration to graduation. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Emory's academic structure, including key dates, session formats, and important policies.

Emory University: An Overview

Emory University is ranked No. 24 in National Universities and No. 10 in Lowest Acceptance Rates. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,407 (fall 2024) and a campus size of 631 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Emory University is 8:1. Emory University accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy.

Known for its commitment to academic excellence and its diverse and noncompetitive environment, Emory is a leading research institution with a strong reputation for rigorous academic programs, outstanding faculty, and a vibrant campus community. Emory offers more than 80 majors and 60 minors, and 13 preprofessional tracks and has more than 325 student clubs and organizations. The university has nine schools: Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Oxford College of Emory University, Emory University School of Medicine, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Candler School of Theology, Emory University School of Law, Goizueta Business School, the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies, and the Rollins School of Public Health.

Students can begin their undergraduate studies on one of two campuses: Emory College in Atlanta, GA, and Oxford College in Oxford, GA. The two colleges are academically equivalent but offer distinct environments and opportunities for students to embark on their academic careers. The Atlanta campus hosts approximately 7,000 undergraduate students, a diverse, energetic learning environment at the center of the university's educational and research initiatives. The Oxford College campus has approximately 1,000 undergraduates, evenly split between first and second-year students, an intimate setting typical of a small liberal arts college.

Understanding Academic Sessions at Rollins School of Public Health

Rollins School of Public Health offers several academic sessions within each academic term. Each of these sessions has specific add/drop/swap dates, lengths, and last days to withdraw. Students can take classes in multiple sessions.

Read also: Emory University Tuition

Here's a breakdown of the academic sessions:

Pre-Term Classes: Classes begin on January 5, with January 5 also serving as the add/drop/swap deadline. The grading basis deadline is January 6, and the last day to withdraw is January 10. Classes end on January 13.
First Half Semester Classes: Classes begin on January 13, with the add/drop/swap period spanning from January 13 to 17. The grading basis deadline is February 18, and the last day to withdraw is March 2. Grades are due on March 5.
Regular Classes: Classes begin on January 13, with the add/drop/swap period from January 13 to 21. The grading basis deadline is February 27, and the last day to withdraw is April 27. Grades are due on May 5 for graduating students and May 6 for non-graduating students.
Second Half Semester Classes: Classes begin on March 3, with the add/drop/swap period spanning from January 13 to March 7. The grading basis deadline is March 24, and the last day to withdraw is April 27. Grades are due on May 5 for graduating students and May 6 for non-graduating students.

Read also: Finding a Job at Emory
Spring Break Session: Classes begin on March 9, with the add/drop/swap period spanning from January 13 to March 9. The grading basis deadline is March 11, and the last day to withdraw is March 13. Classes end on March 16.
Four-Day Session: Classes begin on April 9, with the add/drop/swap period spanning from January 13 to April 9. The grading basis deadline is April 11, and the last day to withdraw is April 12. Classes end on April 15.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Remaining aware of important dates and deadlines is crucial for academic planning. Here are some key dates:

October 29 (W): Spring 2026 pre-registration begins for second-year students.
November 3 (M): Spring 2026 pre-registration begins for first-year students.
November 12 (W): Spring 2026 pre-registration closes for all students.
January 5 (M): Spring degree application opens.
January 13 (T): Non-public health students may enroll in public health courses, with permission.
January 19 (M): Martin Luther King Holiday (no classes).
January 30 (F): PUBH 501 Interprofessional Education and Public Health Leadership in-person session. All RSPH courses will not meet in person or online synchronously.

Academic Environment at Emory: Oxford and Emory Colleges

Students can begin their undergraduate studies on one of two campuses, Emory College in Atlanta, GA, and Oxford College in Oxford, GA. The two colleges are academically equivalent but offer distinct environments and opportunities for students to embark on their academic careers.

Oxford College

Oxford College is located on Emory’s original campus in historic Oxford, GA, about a 40-minute drive from Atlanta. Students who begin at Oxford spend the first two years of their undergraduate education in a close-knit environment focused on liberal arts excellence and leadership before transitioning to Emory’s Atlanta campus. Oxford College lays the foundation for a lifetime of academic and personal success through meaningful connections and personalized learning. Oxford is one of Emory University’s nine colleges and schools, with a total enrollment of about 1,000 students and an average class size of 19.

Read also: Emory's Chemistry Department

Emory College

Emory College is located in the Druid Hills neighborhood of the global city of Atlanta and offers numerous cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities both on and off campus for students. Emory College generally has larger class sizes, offering a mix of lectures and smaller seminars while still providing ample opportunities for personalized attention from faculty. The college’s rigorous liberal arts curriculum across multiple disciplines teaches students to communicate expertly, think critically, and solve problems. Emory College has about 7,000 undergraduate students, creating a diverse and vibrant learning environment at the center of the university's educational and research initiatives.

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

The school's tuition and fees are $68,056. Forty-two percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $24,142. Emory University is committed to making education accessible. Beginning Fall 2026, all domestic undergraduates with assessed family incomes of $200,000 or less will pay $0 in tuition. This initiative, known as Emory Advantage Plus, is a major expansion of the university's commitment to affordability.

Additional costs to consider include food and housing, which amount to $21,244 (2025-26). The average need-based aid package is $67,329.

Academic Programs and Outcomes

Emory offers a wide range of academic programs. Here's a glimpse into some popular majors and their outcomes:

Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 9% of Graduates, \$67,087 Alumni Starting Salary
Neuroscience: 7% of Graduates, \$66,695 Alumni Starting Salary
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 6% of Graduates, \$89,034 Alumni Starting Salary
Psychology, General: 6% of Graduates, \$67,538 Alumni Starting Salary
Management Science: 17% of Classes With Fewer Than 20 Students

The four-year graduation rate is 81%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $74,980.

Research Impact

Emory University has a strong emphasis on research. Its bibliometric rank is 16. The publication share in the Top 25% of Journals by CiteScore is 65%, and the publication share in the Top 5% of Journals by CiteScore is 23%. The Field Weighted Citation Impact is 2.08. Total Papers published between 2020-2024 is 40,503. Citations Per Publication is 20.

tags: #emory #university #academic #calendar