Manhattan College Academic Calendar: A Comprehensive Guide

The academic calendar at Manhattan College is a crucial resource for students, faculty, and staff. Maintained by the Registrar’s Office, these calendars outline important dates and deadlines for each semester. The academic year is divided into fall, spring, and summer semesters, providing a structured framework for learning and administrative tasks. It's worth noting that Parsons Paris and Mannes Prep might adhere to distinct calendars, so it's always a good idea to double-check.

Key Components of the Academic Calendar

The academic calendar encompasses a variety of important dates, including registration periods, add/drop deadlines, withdrawal deadlines, holidays, and exam periods. Understanding these dates is essential for academic planning and success.

Registration Dates

Registration dates mark the beginning of the process for students to enroll in courses for the upcoming semester. Initial registration periods are typically scheduled well in advance to allow students ample time to plan their schedules.

Initial Fall Registration: Typically occurs in the spring semester. For example, initial fall registration for Fall 2025 was on Monday, March 24.
Initial Spring Registration: Usually takes place in the fall semester. For instance, initial spring registration for Spring 2026 was on Monday, November 3.

Add/Drop Period

The add/drop period allows students to make adjustments to their course schedules after the initial registration. This is a crucial time for students to finalize their course selections and ensure they are enrolled in the appropriate classes.

Add/Drop Period Begins: Shortly before the start of classes. For Fall 2025, the add/drop period began on Tuesday, July 29.
Last Day of Add/Drop Period: Usually a week or two after the start of classes. For Fall 2025, the last day to add/drop was Tuesday, September 9 (for full-term courses). This date is also significant as the Pell Recalculation Date and the deadline to waive health insurance.

Withdrawal Period

The withdrawal period provides students with the opportunity to withdraw from a course if they are unable to complete it successfully. Withdrawing from a course may have academic and financial implications, so students should carefully consider their options before making a decision.

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Withdrawal Period Begins: After the add/drop period. For Fall 2025, the withdrawal period began on Wednesday, September 10 (for full-term courses).
Last Day to Withdraw: Typically in the middle of the semester. For Fall 2025, the last day to withdraw was Tuesday, November 18 (for full-term courses).

Census Date

The census date is the official enrollment count date for the semester. It is used to determine official enrollment numbers and may affect financial aid and other administrative processes.

Census Date: Usually a few weeks into the semester. For Fall 2025, the census date was Friday, October 3. For Spring 2026, the census date was Friday, February 20.

Holidays and Breaks

The academic calendar includes holidays and breaks, providing students and faculty with time off for rest and relaxation. These breaks are strategically placed throughout the semester to help students recharge and avoid burnout.

Labor Day Holiday: The university is closed for Labor Day. In 2025, it was observed from Saturday, August 30 to Monday, September 1.
Thanksgiving Holiday: No classes are held during the Thanksgiving holiday. In 2025, the holiday break was from Wednesday, November 26 to Sunday, November 30.
Winter Break: The university is closed for an extended period during the winter break. In 2025-2026, the university was closed from Wednesday, December 24 to Thursday, January 1.
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday: The university is closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. In 2026, it was observed on Monday, January 19.
President’s Day Holiday: The university is closed for President’s Day. In 2026, it was observed on Monday, February 16.
Spring Break: No classes are held during spring break. In 2026, spring break was from Monday, March 16 to Sunday, March 22.
Memorial Day Holiday: The university is closed for Memorial Day. In 2026, it was observed on Monday, May 25.
Juneteenth: The university is closed for Juneteenth. In 2026, it was observed on Friday, June 19.
Independence Day: The university is closed for Independence Day. In 2026, it was observed on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4.

Make-Up Days

The university has built-in make-up days into the academic calendar to accommodate unforeseen circumstances, such as religious observances or inclement weather. These days can be used if a faculty member cannot hold class.

Make-Up Days, General: For Fall 2025, make-up days were scheduled for Tuesday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 17. For Spring 2026, make-up days were scheduled for Wednesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 14.

Last Day of Classes and Official Last Day of Term

The last day of classes marks the end of instruction for the semester. The official last day of term is the final date of the academic term, which may include final exams and other academic activities.

Last Day of Full-Term Classes: For Fall 2025, the last day of full-term classes was Wednesday, December 17. For Spring 2026, the last day of classes was Thursday, May 14.
Official Last Day of Term: For Fall 2025, the official last day of term was Sunday, January 18. For Spring 2026, the official last day of term was Friday, May 15. For Summer 2026, the official last day of term was Sunday, August 16.

Degree Conferral Date

The degree conferral date is the date on which degrees are officially awarded to graduating students. This is a significant milestone for students and marks the culmination of their academic journey.

Fall 2025 Degree Conferral Date: Saturday, January 31.
Spring 2026 Degree Conferral Date: Sunday, May 31.
Summer 2026 Degree Conferral Date: Monday, August 31.

Specific Calendar Dates for 2025-2026

To provide a clearer picture, here's a breakdown of the key dates for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Fall 2025

Initial Fall Registration: Monday, March 24
Add/Drop Period Begins: Tuesday, July 29
Orientation: Monday, August 18 - Friday, August 22
Welcome Week: Monday, August 25 - Friday, August 29
First Day of Classes: Wednesday, August 27
Labor Day Holiday: Saturday, August 30 - Monday, September 1
Last Day Add/Drop Period: Tuesday, September 9
Withdrawal Period Begins: Wednesday, September 10
Census: Friday, October 3
Fall Break (Paris Campus): Monday, October 20 - Sunday, October 26
Initial Spring Registration: Monday, November 3
Armistice Day (Paris Campus): Tuesday, November 11
Last Day to Withdraw: Tuesday, November 18
Thanksgiving Holiday: Wednesday, November 26 - Sunday, November 30
Make-Up Days, General: Tuesday, December 16 - Wednesday, December 17
Last Day of Full-Term Classes: Wednesday, December 17
Winter Session: Thursday, December 18 - Sunday, January 18
Winter Break: Wednesday, December 24 - Thursday, January 1
Official Last Day of Term: Sunday, January 18
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday: Monday, January 19
Fall 2025 Degree Conferral Date: Saturday, January 31

Spring 2026

Initial Spring Registration: Monday, November 3
First Day of Classes: Wednesday, January 21
Last Day Add/Drop Period: Tuesday, February 3
Withdrawal Period Begins: Wednesday, February 4
President’s Day Holiday: Monday, February 16
Census: Friday, February 20
Work Week (Paris Campus): Monday, March 2 - Friday, March 6
Spring Break: Monday, March 16 - Sunday, March 22
Spring Break (Paris Campus): Monday, April 6 - Sunday, April 12
Initial Fall Registration: Monday, April 13
Last Day to Withdraw: Tuesday, April 14
Labor Day (Paris Campus): Friday, May 1
Make-up Days, General: Wednesday, May 13 - Thursday, May 14
Ascension Day (Paris Campus): Thursday, May 14
Last Day of Classes: Thursday, May 14
Make-up Day, Last Day of Classes (Paris Campus): Friday, May 15
Official Last Day of Term: Friday, May 15
Memorial Day Holiday: Monday, May 25
Commencement (Paris Campus): Friday, May 22
Spring 2026 Degree Conferral Date: Sunday, May 31

Summer 2026

First Day of Classes: Tuesday, May 26
Juneteenth: Friday, June 19
Independence Day Observed: Friday, July 3
Independence Day: Saturday, July 4
Bastille Day (Paris Campus): Tuesday, July 14
Assumption Day (Paris Campus): Saturday, August 15
Last Day of Classes, Official Last Day of Term: Sunday, August 16
Summer 2026 Degree Conferral Date: Monday, August 31

Religious Observances and Academic Accommodations

Manhattan College recognizes the importance of religious observances and provides accommodations for students and faculty. The university has incorporated two make-up days into the fall academic calendar to address instances where faculty members are unable to hold class due to religious observances. Faculty members can also utilize Canvas to deliver course content asynchronously if a class session needs to be adjusted.

Students are permitted to be absent from class for religious observances without facing penalties. These absences will not be counted against the excused absences outlined in their syllabi. However, students are required to inform their instructors at the beginning of the course about any anticipated absences due to religious observances.

The complete policy regarding religious observances can be found in the university’s academic catalog, ensuring transparency and clarity for all members of the academic community.

Accessing the Academic Calendar

The academic calendars, registration dates, and grading deadlines are readily accessible through the Registrar’s Office. Furthermore, a Google Calendar version of the NYC campus academic calendar is available for convenient access and integration into personal schedules. A Google Calendar version of the Paris campus academic calendar is also available.

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