Navigating the UNM Academic Calendar: Key Dates, Deadlines, and Legislative Days

The University of New Mexico (UNM) academic calendar is a crucial resource for students, faculty, and staff. It outlines important dates and deadlines related to registration, classes, breaks, holidays, and examinations. Understanding the academic calendar is essential for planning and successfully navigating each semester. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the UNM academic calendar, focusing on key aspects such as registration, drop/add deadlines, breaks and holidays, and legislative days.

Spring Semester Details

Spring Semester 2026

The Spring Semester 2026 full term spans from January 19 to May 16. For those taking courses in shorter blocks, the first half of the semester runs from January 19 to March 14, and the second half runs from March 23 to May 16.

Important dates for the Spring 2026 semester include:

Senior Citizen special tuition rate registration opens: Monday, Jan. 9, 2026
Last day to ADD sections/CHANGE credit hours and grade mode in LoboWeb:
- Full Term: Jan 30
- First Half: Jan 23
- Second Half: Mar 27
Last day to CHANGE grade mode on LoboWeb:
- Full Term: Jan 30
- First Half: Jan 23
- Second Half: Mar 27
Last day to DROP without “W” grade and 100% tuition refund in LoboWeb:
- Full Term: Feb 6
- First Half: Jan 30
- Second Half: Apr 3
Last day to PETITION for In-State Classification: Fri, Feb 6
Last day to DROP without Registrar’s Permission on LoboWeb:
- Full Term: Apr 17
- First Half: Feb 27
- Second Half: May 1
Last day to CHANGE grade mode with Form: May 8, Mar 13, May 8
Last day to ADD/OR CHANGE credit hours with Form: May 8, Mar 13, May 8
Last day to DROP with Registrar's permission with Form: May 8, Mar 13, May 8
Last day to report removal of Incomplete: May 21

It is important to note that drops and section changes cannot be processed after a grade has been entered.

Breaks and Holidays (Spring)

During the Spring 2026 semester, UNM will be closed for Martin Luther King Day on Monday, January 19. Spring Break will be observed from March 15-22.

Read also: Understanding the UIC Calendar

Spring Semester 2027

The Spring 2027 semester will follow a similar structure, with Law Classes beginning on January 13. Martin Luther King Day will be observed on January 18, and Midterm Examinations are scheduled for March 8-12. Spring Break will take place from March 14-21. Legislative Day, a make-up day for classes missed due to the Martin Luther King Day Holiday, is scheduled for April 28, which also marks the Last Day of Classes. The Reading Period is April 29-30, followed by Final Examination Period from May 3-14. School of Law Convocation and UNM Main Campus Commencement will both be held on May 15.

Spring Semester 2028

In Spring 2028, Law Classes will begin on January 12. Martin Luther King Day will be observed on January 17. Midterm Examinations are scheduled for March 6-10, with Spring Break from March 12-19. Legislative Day is scheduled for April 26, coinciding with the Last Day of Classes. The Reading Period will be April 27-28, followed by a two-week Final Examination Period from May 1-12. School of Law Convocation and UNM Main Campus Commencement are both set for May 13, which is also the Last day of the semester.

Summer Session Details

Summer 2025

The Summer 2025 session includes the following key dates:

May 21 (Wednesday): Clinic and Externship classes begin
May 26 (Monday): Memorial Day (UNM Closed/No classes)
June 2 (Monday): Law classes begin
June 19 (Thursday): Juneteenth Day (UNM Closed/No classes)
July 4 (Friday): Independence Day (UNM Closed/No classes)
July 29 (Tuesday): Last day of classes

It's important to note that summer course start and end dates vary beginning in mid-May. Students should consult the Legislative Calendar for details regarding make-up days for classes missed due to Holidays/Breaks.

Summer 2026

The Summer 2026 session includes the following key dates:

Read also: Navigating the Spring Semester

May 20 (Wednesday): Clinic and Externship classes begin
May 25 (Monday): Memorial Day (UNM Closed/No classes)
June 1 (Monday): Law classes begin
June 19 (Friday): Juneteenth Day (UNM Closed/No classes)
July 3 (Friday): Independence Day Observed (UNM Closed/No classes)
July 28 (Tuesday): Last day of classes

Summer 2027

The Summer 2027 session includes the following key dates:

May 19 (Wednesday): Clinic and Externship classes begin
May 31 (Monday): Memorial Day (UNM Closed/No classes)
May 31 (Monday): Law Classes begin
June 18 (Friday): Juneteenth Day (UNM Closed/No classes)
July 5 (Monday): Independence Day (UNM Closed/No classes)
July 27 (Tuesday): Last day of classes

Fall Semester Details

Fall 2024 Legislative Days

Three holidays occur during the Fall 2024 semester:

Labor Day: Monday, September 2
Fall Break: Thursday and Friday, October 10 & 11
Thanksgiving: Thursday and Friday, November 28-29

The Fall 2024 Legislative Calendar is as follows:

November 21 (Thursday): Monday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Monday of the Labor Day Holiday, September 2.
November 22 (Friday): Thursday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Thursday of Fall Break October 10.
November 25 (Monday): Friday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Break Day Friday October 11.
November 26 (Tuesday): Thursday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Thursday of the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 28.
November 27 (Wednesday): Friday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Friday of the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 29.

Fall 2025 Legislative Days

Three holidays occur during the Fall 2025 semester:

Labor Day: Monday, September 1
Fall Break: Thursday and Friday, October 9 & 10
Thanksgiving: Thursday and Friday, November 27-28

The Fall 2025 Legislative Calendar is as follows:

November 20 (Thursday): Monday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Monday of the Labor Day Holiday.
November 21 (Friday): Thursday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Thursday of Fall Break October 9.
November 24 (Monday): Friday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Friday of Fall Break October 10.
November 25 (Tuesday): Thursday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Thursday of the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 27.
November 26 (Wednesday): Friday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Friday of the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 28.

Fall 2026 Legislative Days

Three holidays occur during the Fall 2026 semester:

Labor Day: Monday, September 7
Fall Break: Thursday and Friday, October 8 & 9
Thanksgiving: Thursday and Friday, November 26-27

The Fall 2026 Legislative Calendar is as follows:

November 19 (Thursday): Monday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Monday of the Labor Day Holiday September 7.
November 20 (Friday): Thursday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Thursday of Fall Break October 8.
November 23 (Monday): Friday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Friday of Fall Break October 9.
November 24 (Tuesday): Thursday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Thursday of the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 26.
November 25 (Wednesday): Friday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Friday of the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 27.

Fall 2027 Legislative Days

Three holidays occur during the Fall 2027 semester:

Labor Day: Monday, September 6
Fall Break: Thursday and Friday, October 7 & 8
Thanksgiving: Thursday and Friday, November 25-26

The Fall 2027 Legislative Calendar is as follows:

November 18 (Thursday): Monday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Monday of the Labor Day Holiday September 6.
November 19 (Friday): Thursday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Thursday of Fall Break October 7.
November 22 (Monday): Friday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Friday of Fall Break October 8.
November 23 (Tuesday): Thursday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Thursday of the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 25.
November 24 (Wednesday): Friday class schedule will be followed. Make-up day for classes that would have occurred on the Friday of the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 26.

Key Considerations

Examination Periods

All examination periods are an integral part of the academic calendar. Students are expected to be present and available to sit for examinations during the designated period through the last day of the semester. Students should avoid making travel or other plans prior to the end dates of each semester examination schedule, as unforeseen circumstances may occur during any exam period.

Legislative Days

The Law School schedules Legislative Days as make-up days to compensate for class days missed due to breaks/holidays. These Legislative Days are scheduled during the last weeks of the fall and spring semesters before the final exam period. On Legislative Days, the class schedule followed corresponds to a different day of the week, making up for missed class time.

Important Note

All dates are subject to change, so it's always a good idea to double-check the official UNM academic calendar for the most up-to-date information.

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