University of Louisville: Navigating the Academic Calendar

The University of Louisville, like any large academic institution, operates on a structured academic calendar. This calendar is crucial for students, faculty, and staff as it outlines important dates such as the beginning and end of classes, holidays, breaks, deadlines for dropping or adding courses, and commencement ceremonies. Understanding and utilizing the academic calendar is essential for effective planning and academic success. The University reserves the right to change the announced academic calendar without prior notice.

Comprehensive Academic Calendar Overview

The academic year at the University of Louisville is divided into several terms: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Each term has specific start and end dates, as well as deadlines for various academic activities.

Fall Term

The Fall Term typically begins in August. For example, classes started on August 18, 2025 (Monday). Key dates for the Fall Term include:

Classes Start: Aug. 18, 2025 (Mon)
Last Day to Drop/Add: Aug. 22, 2025 (Fri)
Labor Day Holiday: Sept. 1, 2025 (Mon)
Mid-Term Break: Oct. 6 - Oct. 7, 2025 (Mon-Tue)
Last Day to Withdraw: Oct. 17, 2025 (Fri)
Last Day to Apply for Degree: Nov. 14, 2025 (Fri)
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 26 - Nov. 30, 2025 (Wed-Sun)
Last Day of Classes: Dec. 1, 2025 (Mon)
Reading Day: Dec. 2, 2025 (Tue)
Final Exams: Dec. 3-9, 2025 (Wed-Tue)
Degree Date: Dec. 12, 2025 (Fri)
Commencement: Dec. 12, 2025 (Fri) (Commencement date is tentative subject to YUM!)

The Fall Term may also be divided into two shorter halves. For the Fall 2025 First Half of Term:

Classes Start: Aug. 18, 2025 (Mon)
Last Day to Drop/Add: Aug. 20, 2025 (Wed)
Labor Day Holiday: Sept. 1, 2025 (Mon)
Last Day to Withdraw: Sep. 16, 2025 (Tue)
Mid-Term Break: Oct. 6-Oct. 7, 2025 (Mon-Tue)
Last Day of Classes/Final Exam (if needed): Oct. 8, 2025 (Wed)
Last Day to Apply for Degree: Nov. 14, 2025 (Fri)
Commencement/Degree Date: Dec.12, 2025 (Fri) (** Commencement date is tentative subject to YUM!)

For the Fall 2025 Second Half of Term:

Classes Start: Oct. 9, 2025 (Thu)
Last Day to Drop/Add: Oct. 13, 2025 (Mon)
Last Day to Withdraw: Nov. 6, 2025(Thu)
Last Day to Apply for Degree: Nov. 14, 2025 (Fri)
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 26-Nov. 30, 2025 (Wed-Sun)
Last Day of Classes/Final Exam (if needed): Dec. 1, 2025 (Mon)
Commencement/Degree Date: Dec. 12, 2025 (Fri) (** Commencement date is tentative subject to YUM!)

In 2026, the Fall Term followed a similar structure, with classes starting on August 17, 2026 (Mon) and key dates adjusted accordingly.

Winter Term

The Winter Term is a shorter term that takes place in December and January. For Winter 2025-26:

Classes Start: Dec. 15, 2025 (Mon)
Last Day to Drop/Add: Dec. 16, 2025 (Tue)
Holiday (no classes): Dec. 25, 2025 (Thurs)
Last Day to Withdraw: Dec. 26, 2025 (Fri)
Last Day of Classes: Jan. 5, 2026 (Mon)
Final Exam (if needed): Jan. 6, 2026 (Tuesday)

Spring Term

The Spring Term typically commences in January. For example, classes started on January 7, 2026 (Wed). Important dates for the Spring Term include:

Classes Start: Jan. 7, 2026 (Wed)
Last Day to Drop/Add: Jan. 13, 2026 (Tues)
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday: Jan. 19, 2026 (Mon)
Last Day to Withdraw: Mar. 6, 2026 (Fri)
Spring Break: Mar. 9 - 15, 2026 (Mon-Sun)
Last Day to Apply for Degree: Apr. 14, 2026 (Tues)
Last Day of Classes: Apr. 22, 2026 (Wed)
Reading Day: Apr. 23, 2026 (Thurs)
Final Exams: Apr. 24 - Apr. 30, 2026 (Fri-Thurs)
Commencement/degree date: May 9, 2026 (Sat) (**Commencement date is tentative subject to YUM!)

Similar to the Fall Term, the Spring Term can be divided into two halves. For the Spring 2026 First Half of Term:

Classes Start: Jan. 7, 2026 (Wed)
Last Day to Drop/Add: Jan. 9, 2026 (Fri)
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday: Jan. 19, 2026 (Mon)
Last day to withdraw: Feb. 5, 2026 (Thurs)
Last day of classes/Final Exam (if needed): Feb. 25, 2026 (Wed)
Last day to apply for degree: Apr. 14, 2026 (Tue)
Commencement/degree date: May 9, 2026 (Sat) (**Commencement date is tentative subject to YUM!)

For the Spring 2026 Second Half of Term:

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Classes Start: Feb. 26, 2026 (Thurs)
Last Day to Drop/Add: Mar. 2, 2026 (Mon)
Spring Break: Mar. 9-15, 2026 (Mon-Sun)
Last Day to Withdraw: Apr. 2, 2026 (Thurs)
Last Day to Apply for Degree: Apr. 14, 2026 (Tue)
Last Day of Classes/Final Exam (if needed): Apr. 22, 2026 (Wed)
Commencement/degree date: May 9, 2026 (Sat) (**Commencement date is tentative subject to YUM!)

Summer Term

The Summer Term is divided into multiple sessions, including Summer Term I, Summer Term II, Summer Ten Week Term, and Summer Term III.

Summer Term I:
- Classes start: May 6, 2026 (Wed)
- Last day to drop/add: May 7, 2026 (Thurs)
- Last day to withdraw: May 18, 2026 (Mon)
- Last day of classes: May 27, 2026 (Wed)
- Last day to apply for degree: July 6, 2026 (Mon)
- Degree date: Aug.
Summer Term II:
- Classes start: May 28, 2026 (Thurs)
- Last day to drop/add: June 1, 2026 (Mon)
- Last day to withdraw: June 17, 2026 (Wed)
- Juneteenth Holiday: June 19, 2026 (Fri)
- Last day of classes: July 2, 2026 (Thurs)
- Last day to apply for degree: July 6, 2026 (Mon)
- Degree date: Aug.
Summer Ten Week Term:
- Classes start: May 28, 2026 (Thurs)
- Last day to drop/add: June 2, 2026 (Tue)
- Juneteenth Holiday: June 19, 2026 (Fri)
- Independence Day Holiday: July 3, 2026 (Fri)
- Last day to apply for degree: July 6, 2026 (Mon)
- Last day to withdraw: July 10, 2026 (Fri)
- Last day of classes: Aug. 7, 2026 (Fri)
- Degree date: Aug.
Summer Term III:

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University
- Classes start: July 6, 2026 (Mon)
- Last day to apply for degree: July 6, 2026 (Mon)
- Last day to drop/add: July 8, 2026 (Wed)
- Last day to withdraw: July 24, 2026 (Fri)
- Last day of classes/degree date: Aug.

School-Specific Calendars

Certain schools within the University of Louisville, such as the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, the Kent School of Social Work & Family Science, and the School of Nursing, may have academic calendars that differ slightly from the general university calendar.

J. B. Speed School of Engineering Summer Term

Classes start: May 11, 2026 (Mon)
Last day to drop/add: May 14, 2026 (Thurs)
Memorial Day holiday: May 25, 2026 (Mon)
Juneteenth Holiday: June 19, 2026 (Fri)
Last day to withdraw: June 23, 2026 (Tue)
Independence Day Holiday: July 3, 2026 (Fri)
Last day to apply for degree: July 6, 2026 (Mon)
Last day of classes: July 20, 2026 (Mon)
Final exam period: July 21 - 25, 2026 (Tue - Sat)
Degree date: Aug.

Kent School of Social Work & Family Science Summer Term

Classes Begin: May 11, 2026 (Mon)
Last day to drop/add: May 14, 2026 (Thurs)
Memorial Day holiday: May 25, 2026 (Mon)
Juneteenth Holiday: June 19, 2026(Fri)
Last day to withdraw: June 25, 2026 (Thurs)
Independence Day Holiday: July 3, 2026 (Fri)
Last day to apply for degree: July 6, 2026 (Mon)
Last day of classes: July 27, 2026 (Mon)
Degree date: Aug.

School of Nursing APRN/DNP Summer Term

Classes Begin: May 13, 2026 (Wed)
Last day to drop/add: May 18, 2026 (Mon)
Memorial Day holiday: May 25, 2026 (Mon)
Juneteenth Holiday: June 19, 2026 (Fri)
Independence Day Holiday: July 3, 2026 (Fri)
Last day to withdraw: July 6, 2026 (Mon)
Last day to apply for degree: July 6, 2026 (Mon)
Last day of classes: Aug. 7, 2026 (Fri)
Degree Date: Aug.

Key Dates and Deadlines

The academic calendar includes several critical dates and deadlines that students need to be aware of:

Last day to drop/add: This is the deadline to adjust your course schedule without penalty.
Last day to withdraw: This is the deadline to withdraw from a course with a "W" grade.
Last day to apply for a degree: Students must apply for graduation by this date to be considered for degree conferral.
Final exam period: This is the period during which final exams are administered.

Holidays and Breaks

The academic calendar also includes information on holidays and breaks, such as:

Labor Day holiday: September 1, 2025 (Mon)
Thanksgiving break: Nov. 26 - Nov. 30, 2025 (Wed-Sun)
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday: Jan. 19, 2026 (Mon)
Spring break: Mar. 9 - 15, 2026 (Mon-Sun)
Memorial Day holiday: May 25, 2026 (Mon)
Juneteenth Holiday: June 19, 2026 (Fri)
Independence Day Holiday: July 3, 2026 (Fri)

Religious Holy Days

Federal law and University policy prohibit discrimination on the basis of religious belief. It is the policy of the University of Louisville to accommodate students, faculty, and staff who observe religious work-restricted holy days. Students who observe work-restricted religious holy days must be allowed to do so without jeopardizing their academic standing in any course. Faculty are obliged to accommodate studentsâ request(s) for adjustments in course work on the grounds of religious observance, provided that the student(s) make such request(s) in writing during the first two (2) weeks of term.

Commencement

Commencement ceremonies are held at the end of the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Dates are subject to change. Commencement date is tentative subject to YUM!

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