SDSU Spring Semester: Key Dates and Planning for Success

Navigating the academic year at San Diego State University (SDSU) requires careful planning and awareness of important dates. Staying organized amidst classes, study sessions, and campus life is easier with a clear understanding of the semester's timeline. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the SDSU spring semester, drawing primarily from official SDSU Registrar’s calendar information, and offering insights for students to maximize their academic experience.

Spring 2025 Semester: A Detailed Timeline

The Spring 2025 semester at SDSU follows a structured schedule, beginning in January and culminating in May. Here’s a breakdown of key dates:

January 13, Monday: Start Date/Instruction begins. This marks the first day of classes for the Spring 2025 semester. Students should be prepared to attend their scheduled courses, either in person or online.
January 20, Monday: Martin Luther King Day Holiday. No classes will be held, and university offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.
January 22, Wednesday: Last day to drop or add courses and adjust final fees. Students should finalize their course schedules by this date to avoid any late fees or academic penalties.
January 23, Thursday: Spring tuition and fees payment due; “W” grade begins. Ensure that all tuition and fees are paid by this date to avoid any holds on your account. After this date, a "W" grade will be recorded for any course withdrawals.
January 31, Friday: Last day to submit a graduation application for Spring 2025. Students planning to graduate in Spring 2025 must submit their graduation application by this date.
February 17, Monday: Presidents’ Day Holiday. No classes will be held, and university offices will be closed.
March 10-14, Monday - Friday: Spring Break. A week-long break from classes, offering students a chance to relax and recharge.
March 17, Monday: First half Spring Term ends. This marks the midpoint of the Spring semester.
March 20, Thursday: Deficiency reports due by midnight.
April 7, Monday: Last day to drop a course. Students can drop courses until this date, though a "W" grade will be recorded on their transcript.
April 18-20, Friday - Sunday: Easter Recess. A short break for the Easter holiday. Note that in prior years, the governor has authorized administrative leave on the Monday following Easter, with classes canceled. While April 21 is scheduled as a class day, students should be aware of potential changes.
May 5-9, Monday - Friday: Final exams. The final examination period for Spring 2025. Check the official Final Exam Schedule for specific course times.
May 9 - official graduation date noted on transcript
May 10, Saturday: Commencement. Graduation ceremonies for Spring 2025 graduates.
May 14, Wednesday: Grades due by midnight. Instructors must submit final grades by this date.

Summer 2025 Term

For students looking to get ahead or catch up on credits, SDSU offers a Summer Term with several sessions:

May 12, Monday - May 23, Friday: May Interim.
May 26, Monday: Memorial Day Holiday.
May 27, Tuesday - Aug. 1, Friday: 10-week Academic Summer Session.
June 13, Friday: Last day to submit a graduation application for Summer 2025.
June 19, Thursday: Juneteenth Holiday.
July 4, Friday: Independence Day Holiday.
Aug. 4, Monday - Aug. 8, Friday: August Interim.
Third working day after the course end date: Grades due by midnight.
Aug. 8: Official graduation date noted on transcript.

Fall 2025 Term

Looking ahead to the Fall semester:

Aug. 25, Monday: Start Date/Instruction begins.
Sept. 1, Monday: Labor Day Holiday.
Sept. 4, Thursday: Last day to drop or add and adjust final fees.
Sept. 5, Friday: Fall tuition and fees payment due; “W” grade begins.
Sept. 12, Friday: Last day to submit a graduation application for Fall 2025.
Oct. 13, Monday: Native American Day Holiday.
Oct. 17, Friday: First half Fall Term ends.
Oct. 22, Wednesday: Midterm Grades due by midnight.
Nov. 7, Friday: Last day to drop a course.
Nov. 11, Tuesday: Veterans’ Day Holiday.
Nov. 26-30, Wednesday - Sunday: Thanksgiving Recess.
Dec. 10, Wednesday: No classes; Final Exam Preparation.
Dec. 11-17, Thursday - Wednesday: Final exams.
Dec. 17: Official graduation date noted on transcript. Note: There is no Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremony.
Dec. 22, Monday: Grades due by noon.

Spring 2026 Semester: Preliminary Dates

While the official SDSU calendar for Spring 2026 may not yet be released, here are estimated dates based on previous academic years:

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January 12, Monday: Start Date/Instruction begins.
January 19, Monday: Martin Luther King Day Holiday.
January 21, Wednesday: Last day to drop or add and adjust final fees.
January 22, Thursday: Spring tuition and fees payment due; “W” grade begins.
January 30, Friday: Last day to submit a graduation application for Spring 2026.
February 16, Monday: Presidents’ Day Holiday.
March 9, Monday: First half Spring Term ends.
March 12, Thursday: Midterm Grades due by midnight.
March 16-20, Monday - Friday: Spring Break.
April 7, Tuesday: Last day to drop a course.
April 3-5, Friday - Sunday: Easter Recess. Note that in prior years, the governor has authorized administrative leave on the Monday following Easter, with classes canceled. While April 6 is currently scheduled as a class day, students should be aware of potential changes.
May 4-8, Monday - Friday: Final exams.
May 8 - official graduation date noted on transcript
May 9, Saturday: Commencement.
May 13, Wednesday: Grades due by midnight.

Summer 2026 Term

May 11, Monday - May 22, Friday: May Interim.
May 25, Monday: Memorial Day Holiday.
May 26, Tuesday - July 31, Friday: 10-week Academic Summer Session.
June 12, Friday: Last day to submit a graduation application for Summer 2026.
June 19, Friday: Juneteenth Holiday.
July 3, Friday: Independence Day Holiday.
Aug. 3, Monday - August 7, Friday: August Interim.
Third working day after the course end date: Grades due by midnight.
Aug. A successful year at San Diego State University starts with staying organized.

Key Academic Milestones: Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 (Estimated)

To assist with long-term planning, here's a table summarizing key academic milestones:

Academic Milestone	Fall 2025	Spring 2026 (Estimated)
First Day of Classes	August 25, 2025	Mid-January 2026
Add/Drop Deadline	September 8, 2025	Early February 2026
Major Holidays/Breaks	Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving	MLK Jr. Day, President's day, Spring Break

Note: The official SDSU calendar for Spring 2026 has not yet been released. The dates provided are estimates based on previous academic years and are subject to change.

Registration Information for Spring 2026 (Examples)

SDSU utilizes a block scheduling system for some programs. Here are examples of registration and course dates for different tracks in Spring 2026:

Track 1: Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Master of Public Administration (MPA), Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering, Bachelor’s in Child Development, Bachelor’s in Communication, Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, Bachelor’s in Economics, Master’s in Big Data Analytics, Master of Public Health Online (MPH), MPH in Health Promotion & Behavioral Science, MPH in Epidemiology, Bachelor’s in Public Health

Registration Dates: Regular Registration: Dec. 1, 2025 - Jan. 6, 2026
Course Dates:
- Block 1 (8 Weeks): Jan. 20 - March 16, 2026
- Block 2 (8 Weeks): March 17 - May 11, 2026
Course Drop Deadline:
- Drop, Full Refund: Block 1: Jan. 19, 2026 | Block 2: March 16, 2026
- Drop, 65% Refund: Block 1: Feb. 2, 2026 | Block 2: March 31, 2026

Track 2: Online Preliminary Administrative Services Credential, Master’s in Teacher Leadership, Master’s in Educational Leadership + OPASC Combo Program, Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Master’s in Computer Engineering

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Registration Dates: Regular Registration: Dec. 1, 2025 - Jan. 6, 2026
Course Dates: Block 1 (16 Weeks): Jan. 20 - May 13, 2026
Course Drop Deadline:
- Drop, Full Refund: Jan. 19, 2026
- Drop, 65% Refund: Feb. 17, 2026

Track 3: Regulatory Affairs

Registration Dates: Regular Registration: Dec. 1, 2025 - Jan. 6, 2026
Course Dates:
- Session 1: Jan. 20 - March 22, 2026
- Session 2 : March 16 - May 17, 2026
Course Drop Deadline:
- Drop, Full Refund: Session 1: Jan. 19, 2026 | Session 2: March 15, 2026
- Drop, 65% Refund: Session 1: Feb. 4, 2026 | Session 2: March 31, 2026

Important Considerations for Students

Tuition and Fees: Spring tuition and fees are due on January 23.
Graduation Applications: The last day to submit a graduation application for Spring 2026 is January 30.
Maximum Undergraduate Registration Units: The maximum undergraduate registration units increase from 18 units to 21 units.
Waitlists: The last day a student can remain on the waitlist and be auto-enrolled if a seat opens. Enrollment during this period is by permission number only.
Schedule Adjustments: Schedule adjustment deadline. Last day for students to submit a Petition for Late Schedule Adjustment requesting a course withdrawal without a "W" on the transcript.
Financial Aid: Cal Grant and California Middle Class Scholarship deadline.

Planning for Breaks and Holidays

Marking holidays and breaks on your calendar is crucial for personal planning:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 20
Presidents’ Day: February 16
Spring Break: March 16-20
Easter Recess: April 3-5
Memorial Day Holiday: May 25
Juneteenth Holiday: June 19
Independence Day Holiday: July 3

Utilizing SDSU Resources

SDSU provides numerous resources to help students succeed:

MyState Dashboard: Access your MyState Dashboard to submit graduation applications and check final grades.
Registration Self Service: Use Registration Self Service to add or drop courses.
D2L: Access online courses through D2L.
SNAP: Instructors submit grades via SNAP.
Withdrawal Petition via DocuSign: To withdraw after the official drop deadline, you will need to complete the Withdrawal Petition via DocuSign.

Staying Informed

It is essential to regularly check the official SDSU Registrar’s calendar and university announcements for any updates or changes to the academic schedule. Information on the SDSU website is subject to change without notice, so staying proactive will ensure a smooth academic journey.

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