Navigating the Youngstown State University Semester Schedule

Youngstown State University (YSU) operates on a semester system, with the academic year running from late August to May. This is divided into two main 16-week semesters. During the summer, courses are offered in a single 14-week session, or two seven-week sessions. YSU also provides Accelerated Online Programs spanning from late August to July, encompassing the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, with courses divided into two seven-week sessions each semester.

The academic calendar, established by Academic Affairs, contains important academic and administrative deadlines. For specific dates, students can contact the Penguin Service Center at (330)941-6000.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Understanding the academic calendar is crucial for students to manage their enrollment, finances, and academic progress. Here's a breakdown of important dates and deadlines throughout the academic year.

Wait List Option

The "wait list" option allows students to virtually "wait in line" for courses that have reached capacity. The last day to use this option varies by semester:

December 31: Last Day Use Wait List Option
January 2: Last Day Use Wait List Option
August 21: Last Day Use Wait List Option

Adding Classes and Changing Options

Students have a limited time to add classes or modify grading (credit/no credit or audit) and credit options. Here are some deadlines:

Read also: UVA Programs and Deadlines

January 11: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
January 12: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
March 3: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
March 11: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
May 5: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
May 6: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
May 13: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
May 14: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
June 23: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
June 24: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
July 1: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
July 2: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
August 19: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
August 27: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
August 31: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
October 14: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
October 22: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option
December 30: Last Day to Add a Class, Change a Grading Option, and/or Change a Credit Option

Withdrawals and Refunds

Students who drop a course within a specific timeframe receive a full refund. After this period, a "W" grade is recorded on the transcript.

January 10: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
January 11: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
January 17: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
January 18: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
March 3: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
March 14: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
March 15: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
May 16: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
May 17: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
May 23: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
May 24: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
July 4: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
July 5: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
August 30: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
September 6: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund
October 25: Last Day to Withdraw & Receive 100% Refund

The first day to withdraw with a grade of "W" also varies:

January 11: First Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"
January 12: First Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"
January 18: First Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"
January 19: First Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"
March 15: First Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"
March 16: First Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"

The last day to withdraw with a grade of "W":

February 1: Last Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"
April 5: Last Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"
April 6: Last Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"
March 17: Last Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"
March 18: Last Day to Withdraw with a Grade of "W"

Payment Deadlines

Students must pay their account balance in full or enroll in a University payment plan by a specific date each semester. Note that payment plans are not available for AOP students.

January 2: Payment Deadline
March 6: Payment Deadline
TBD: Payment Deadline

Graduation Application

Students must apply for graduation by a specific deadline to avoid late fees.

February 12: Last Day to Apply for Graduation
February 13: Last Day to Apply for Graduation

Late applications are accepted through March 22 or 23 (depending on the year) with a late fee.

Final Examinations

Final examinations are scheduled during a specific week at the end of each full term. Courses do not hold regular meetings during this week.

Apr 26-May 1: Final Examinations
Apr 27-May 2: Final Examinations

Important Dates - Fall 2025

Aug 25 Mon.: Classes begin - full term and first 7 weeks
Aug 28 Thurs.: Last day to add classes or change grading option - first 7-weeks
Aug 31 Sun.: Last day for 100% refund - first 7-weeks
Sept 1 Mon.: Legal holiday - University closed
Sept 2 Tues.: Last day to add classes or change grading option - full term
Sept 7 Sun.: Last day for 100% refund - full term
Sept 22 Mon.: Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W' - first 7-week term
Oct 3 Fri.: Last day to apply for fall term graduation
Oct 12 Sun.: First 7- week term ends
Oct 20 Mon.: Classes begin - second 7-weeks
Oct 23 Thurs.: Last day to add classes or change grading option - second 7-weeks
Oct 26 Sun.: Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W' - full term
Oct 26 Sun.: Last day for 100% refund - second 7-weeks
Nov 11 Tues.: Legal holiday - University closed
Nov 17 Mon.: Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W' - second 7-weeks
Nov 26 Wed.: No classes scheduled - University offices open
Nov 27 Thurs.: Legal holiday - University closed
Nov 28 Fri.: Legal holiday - University closed
Dec 1 Mon.: 6 am Thanksgiving academic break ends - classes resume
Dec 7 Sun.: Second 7 week term ends
Dec 8 Mon.: Final examinations begin
Dec 12 Fri.: Commencement (see ysu.edu/commencement for details)
Dec 13 Sat.: Final examinations end
Dec 13 Sat.: Classes end - full term
Dec 13 Sat.: Commencement (see ysu.edu/commencement for details)

Important Dates - Spring 2026

Dec 24 Wed.: Legal holiday - University closed
Dec 25 Thurs.: Legal holiday - University closed
Jan 1 Thurs.: Legal holiday - University closed
Jan 5 Mon.: Classes begin - full term and first 7-weeks
Jan 8 Thurs.: Last day to add classes or change grading option - first 7-weeks
Jan 11 Sun.: Last day for 100% refund - first 7-weeks
Jan 12 Mon.: Last day to add classes or change grading option - full term
Jan 18 Sun.: Last day for 100% refund - full term
Jan 19 Mon.: Legal holiday - University closed
Feb 2 Mon.: Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W' - first 7-weeks
Feb 13 Fri.: Last day to apply for spring term graduation
Feb 22 Sun.: Classes end - first 7-weeks
Mar 2 Mon.: Spring Break Begins
Mar 8 Sun.: Spring Break Ends
Mar 9 Mon.: Classes begin - second 7-weeks
Mar 12 Thurs.: Last day to add classes or change grading option - second 7-weeks
Mar 15 Sun.: Last day for 100% refund - second 7-weeks
Mar 18 Wed.: Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W' - full term
Apr 6 Mon.: Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W' - second 7-weeks
Apr 26 Sun.: Classes end - Second 7-weeks
Apr 27 Mon.: Final examinations begin
May 1 Fri.: Commencement (see ysu.edu/commencement for details)
May 2 Sat.: Final examinations end
May 2 Sat.: Classes end - full term
May 2 Sat.: Commencement (see ysu.edu/commencement for details)

Important Dates - Summer 2026

May 11 Mon.: Classes begin - full term, first 7-week
May 14 Thurs.: Last Day to add classes or change grading option - first 7-week
May 14 Thurs.: Last day to add classes or change grading option - full term
May 17 Sun.: Last day for 100% refund - first 7-weeks
May 24 Sun.: Last day for 100% refund - full term
May 25 Mon.: Legal holiday - University closed
June 8 Mon.: Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W' - first 7-weeks
June 19 Fri.: Legal holiday - University closed
June 19 Fri.: Last day to apply for summer term graduation
June 28 Sun.: Classes end - first 7-weeks (final exams are given during last class session)
June 29 Mon.: Classes begin - second 7-week term
July 3 Fri.: Legal holiday observed - University closed
July 5 Sun.: Last day for 100% refund - second 7-Weeks
July 7 Tues.: Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W' - full summer term
July 26 Sun.: Last day to withdraw with a grade of 'W' - second 7-weeks
Aug 15 Sat.: Full Term, second 7-weeks ends (final exams are given during last class session)

Important Dates - Accelerated Online Program - Fall 2025

Aug 20 Wed.: First 7-weeks last day to add classes or change grade option
Aug 25 Mon.: First 7-weeks term begins
Aug 31 Sun.: First 7-weeks last day for 100% refund
Sept 1 Mon.: Legal holiday - University closed
Sept 22 Mon.: First 7-weeks last day to Withdraw with a Grade of 'W'
Oct 12 Sun.: First 7-weeks term ends
Oct 15 Wed.: Second 7-weeks last day to add classes or change grade option
Oct 20 Mon.: Second 7-weeks term begins
Oct 26 Sun.: Second 7-weeks last day for 100% refund
Nov 11 Tues.: Legal holiday - University closed
Nov 17 Mon.: Second 7-weeks last day to withdraw with 'W'
Nov 26 Wed.: No classes scheduled - University offices open
Nov 27 Thurs.: Legal holiday - University closed
Nov 28 Fri.: Legal holiday - University closed
Dec 1 Mon.: 6 AM Thanksgiving academic break ends - classes resume
Dec 7 Sun.: Second 7-weeks term ends

Important Dates - Accelerated Online Program - Spring 2026

Dec 31 Wed.: First 7-weeks last day to add classes or change grading option
Jan 5 Mon.: First 7-weeks term begins
Jan 11 Sun.: First 7-weeks last day for 100% refund
Jan 19 Mon.: Legal holiday - University closed
Feb 2 Mon.: First 7-weeks last day to withdraw with a 'W'
Feb 22 Sun.: First 7-weeks term ends
Mar 4 Wed.: Second 7-weeks last day to add classes or change grading option
Mar 9 Mon.: Second 7-weeks term begins
Mar 15 Sun.: Second 7-weeks last day for 100% refund
Apr 6 Mon.: Second 7-weeks last day to withdraw with a 'W'
Apr 26 Sun.: Second 7-weeks term ends

Important Dates - Accelerated Online Program - Summer 2026

May 6 Wed.: First 7-weeks last day to add classes or change grading option
May 11 Mon.: First 7-weeks term begins
May 17 Sun.: First 7-weeks last day for 100% refund
May 25 Mon.: Legal holiday - University closed
June 8 Mon.: First 7-weeks last day to withdraw with a 'W'
June 19 Fri.: Legal holiday - University closed
June 24 Wed.: Second 7-weeks last day to add classes or change grading option
June 28 Sun.: First 7-weeks term ends
June 29 Mon.: Second 7-weeks term begins
July 3 Fri.: Legal holiday observed - University closed
July 5 Sun.: Second 7-weeks last day for 100% refund
July 26 Sun.: Second 7-weeks last day to withdraw with a 'W'
Aug 15 Sat.: Semester System

University Closures and Holidays

It's important to note university closures and holidays, as these can affect deadlines and access to campus resources.

May 25: University Closed
June 19: University Closed
July 3: University Closed
Sept 1 Mon.: Legal holiday - University closed
Nov 11 Tues.: Legal holiday - University closed
Nov 27 Thurs.: Legal holiday - University closed
Nov 28 Fri.: Legal holiday - University closed
Dec 24 Wed.: Legal holiday - University closed
Dec 25 Thurs.: Legal holiday - University closed
Jan 1 Thurs.: Legal holiday - University closed
Jan 19 Mon.: Legal holiday - University closed
May 25 Mon.: Legal holiday - University closed
June 19 Fri.: Legal holiday - University closed
July 3 Fri.: Legal holiday observed - University closed

Workshops

A workshop is a course with a date range that differs from the standard 7 or 16 week part of term. For specific begin and end dates, contact the Penguin Service Center at (330)941-6000.

Course Numbering System

The course numbering system at YSU provides a clear indication of the level and intended audience for each course:

Undergraduate courses (1500-4900 level) are typically open to students in the corresponding level.
Graduate courses (6900- and 7000-level) are only open to graduate students.
Doctoral courses (8000-level) are for doctoral students only.

Additional Information

Flexible Scheduling: To accommodate working students, classes are offered on a flexible schedule - from classes that meet five days a week to classes that meet only one day a week.
Online Programs: Several degree programs are also available online.
Course Availability: Availability of courses during each semester is dependent on student demand and availability of university resources.
Commencement: Spring commencement is May 1 & May 2; Fall commencement is December 13. There is no summer commencement; Students wishing to participate can choose the prior spring or following fall.

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