VCU Academic Calendar 2026-2027

VCU Academic Calendar 2026-2027

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Academic Calendar for the 2026–2027 academic year outlines key dates for students, faculty, and staff to plan. This calendar includes important information such as the start and end of semesters, holidays, breaks, examination periods, and other significant academic events. Having a clear understanding of these dates can help students manage their studies, assignments, and personal schedules effectively. Faculty and staff can also use the calendar to coordinate teaching schedules, research activities, and administrative responsibilities throughout the year.

VCU operates on a structured academic schedule that supports student success and ensures smooth academic operations. The calendar provides details for both fall and spring semesters, as well as any summer sessions, offering a complete overview of the academic year. It also notes university closures and other key dates that may impact coursework or campus activities.

Calendars for universities are correct at the time of publishing or uploading, although they could change. The academic calendar of the university might not match some departments’ or schools’ calendars. Please confirm that the relevant schedule is followed by contacting the specific program of study.

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VCU Academic Calendar 2026-2027

Fall 2026| VCU Calendar 2026-2027

August 2026

Thu, Aug 13: Orientation for new graduate students
TBA: Weeks of Welcome begin
Mon, Aug 17: New Student Convocation
Tue, Aug 18: Classes begin (MCV campus students follow departmental schedule)
Tue–Mon, Aug 18–24: Add/drop and late registration period
Tue–Mon, Aug 25–Sep 14: Progress reports due for undergraduate students in need of academic support
Wed, Aug 26: Deadline for dean/departmental offices to submit approved undergraduate change of major requests effective for Fall 2026
TBA: Faculty Convocation
Fri, Aug 28: Deadline for students to give written notice to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays*

September 2026

Fri, Sep 4: Last day for degree candidates to submit graduation applications for December degrees
Mon, Sep 7: University closed**
Mon, Sep 14: September Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Sep 15)
Mon, Sep 21: Fall Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Sep 22)

October 2026

Fri, Oct 16: Reading day (no classes – Monroe Park campus); Midterm grades due; September Miniterm ends (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option)
Mon, Oct 19: October Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Oct 20)
Tue, Oct 27: Advance registration for spring semester begins
Fri, Oct 30: Last day to withdraw from a course with “W” (except non-full-semester courses); Deadline to request Pass/Fail option

November 2026

Tue, Nov 3: University closed**
Wed, Nov 11: Veterans Day (University open, classes in session)
Fri, Nov 13: Fall Miniterm ends (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option)
Fri, Nov 20: October Miniterm ends (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option)
Mon–Sun, Nov 23–29: Fall break (no classes – Monroe Park campus; MCV students follow departmental schedule; university offices open Nov 23–25)
Thu–Sun, Nov 26–29: University closed**
Fri, Nov 27: Last day to defend thesis/dissertation for Fall 2026 graduation (check with graduate program director for internal deadlines)

December 2026

Fri, Dec 4: Last day of classes – MCV campus
Mon, Dec 7: Last day for spring/summer incomplete grades to be converted; Last day of classes – Monroe Park campus
Mon–Fri, Dec 7–11: Final examinations – MCV campus
Tue–Tue, Dec 8–15: Final examinations – Monroe Park campus
Thu–Sun, Dec 10–13: December school and departmental commencement ceremonies
Fri, Dec 11: Final thesis/dissertation submission deadline to Graduate School (includes ETD form, upload to Scholars Compass, and Survey of Earned Doctorates for Ph.D. students)
Sat, Dec 12: Universitywide commencement ceremony
Thu, Dec 17: Final grades due by noon via Faculty eServices [date change]
Sat, Dec 19: Official date for certifying December diplomas
Thu–Fri, Dec 24–Jan 1: University closed**
Mon, Dec 28: Holiday intersession classes begin; January Term classes begin
Wed, Dec 30: Deadline for written notice to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays – holiday intersession and January Term*

Spring 2026| VCU Academic Calendar 2026-2027

January 2026

Mon–Fri, Dec 22–Jan 2: University closed [begin date change]
Fri, Jan 9: Holiday intersession classes end
Mon, Jan 12: Classes begin (MCV campus students follow departmental schedule)
Mon–Sun, Jan 12–18: Add/drop and late registration period
Mon, Jan 19: University closed**
Tue, Jan 20: Deadline for dean/departmental offices to submit approved undergraduate change of major requests effective for Spring 2026
Tue–Mon, Jan 20–Feb 9: Progress reports due for undergraduate students in need of academic support
Fri, Jan 23: Last day for degree candidates to submit graduation applications for May degrees
Fri, Jan 23: Deadline for students to give written notice to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays*

February 2026

Mon, Feb 2: February Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Feb 3)
Tue, Feb 10: Advance registration for summer semester begins
Mon, Feb 16: Spring Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Feb 17)

March 2026

Fri, Mar 6: February Miniterm ends (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option)
Sun–Sun, Mar 8–15: Spring break for both campuses
Mon, Mar 16: March Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Mar 17)
Fri, Mar 20: Midterm grades due [date change]
Tue, Mar 24: Advance registration for fall semester begins

April 2026

Fri, Apr 3: Deadline to request Pass/Fail option for courses [date change]; Last day to withdraw from a course with “W” (except non-full-semester courses) [date change]
Fri, Apr 17: Spring Miniterm ends (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option); March Miniterm ends (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option)
Fri, Apr 24: Last day to defend thesis/dissertation for Spring 2026 graduation (check with graduate program director for internal deadlines)
Tue, Apr 28: Last day of classes – Monroe Park campus
Wed, Apr 29: Reading day – Monroe Park campus
Thu–Thu, Apr 30–May 7: Final examinations – Monroe Park campus

May 2026

Fri, May 1: Last day of classes – MCV campus
Sat, May 2: Last day to convert incomplete grades from fall semester
Mon–Fri, May 4–8: Final examinations – MCV campus
Thu–Sun, May 7–10: May school and departmental commencement ceremonies
Fri, May 8: Final thesis/dissertation submission deadline to Graduate School (includes ETD form, upload to Scholars Compass, and Survey of Earned Doctorates for Ph.D. students)
Sat, May 9: Universitywide commencement ceremony
Tue, May 12: Final grades due by noon via Faculty eServices
Sat, May 16: Official date for certifying May diplomas

Summer 2026

May 2026

Mon–Fri, May 18–Jun 5: 3-week session (add/drop & withdraw deadlines)
Mon–Thu, May 18–Jun 18: 5-week session (add/drop & withdraw deadlines)
Mon–Thu, May 18–Jul 9: 8-week session, classes beginning 3 p.m. or later (add/drop & withdraw deadlines)
Wed, May 20: Deadline to provide written notification to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays – 3-week session*
Fri, May 22: Deadline to provide written notification to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays – 5-week & 8-week sessions
Mon, May 25: University closed

June 2026

Mon–Wed, Jun 8–Jul 8: 4½-week session (add/drop & withdraw deadlines)
Mon–Thu, Jun 8–Jul 16: 6-week session (add/drop & withdraw deadlines)
Mon–Thu, Jun 8–Jul 30: 8-week session, classes beginning 3 p.m. or later (add/drop & withdraw deadlines)
Fri, Jun 12: Deadline to provide written notification to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays – 4½-week, 6-week, & 8-week sessions*
Fri, Jun 19: University closed** [new entry]
Mon–Thu, Jun 22–Jul 23: 5-week session (add/drop & withdraw deadlines)
Fri, Jun 26: Deadline to provide written notification to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays – 5-week session*
Fri, Jun 26: Last day for degree candidates to submit graduation applications for August degrees

July 2026

Fri, Jul 3: University closed**
Thu–Fri, Jul 9–Aug 7: 4½-week session (add/drop & withdraw deadlines)
Mon, Jul 13: Deadline to provide written notification to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays – 4½-week session*
Mon–Fri, Jul 20–Aug 7: 3-week session (add/drop & withdraw deadlines)
Wed, Jul 22: Deadline to provide written notification to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays – 3-week session*
Fri, Jul 24: Last day to defend thesis/dissertation for Summer 2026 graduation (check with graduate program director for internal deadlines)

August 2026

Fri, Aug 7: Final thesis/dissertation submission deadline to Graduate School (includes ETD form, upload to Scholars Compass, & Survey of Earned Doctorates for Ph.D. students)
Fri, Aug 7: Summer sessions end
Tue, Aug 11: Final grades due by noon via Faculty eServices
Sat, Aug 15: Official date for certifying August diplomas

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Spring 2027

January 2027

Thu–Fri, Dec 24–Jan 1: University closed**
Sat, Jan 9: Holiday intersession classes end
Fri, Jan 15: January Term classes end
Mon, Jan 18: University closed**
Tue, Jan 19: Classes begin (MCV campus students follow departmental schedule)
Tue–Mon, Jan 19–25: Add/drop and late registration period
Tue–Mon, Jan 26–Feb 15: Progress reports due for undergraduate students in need of academic support
Wed, Jan 27: Deadline for dean/departmental offices to submit approved undergraduate change of major requests effective for Spring 2027
Fri, Jan 29: Last day for degree candidates to submit graduation applications for May degrees
Fri, Jan 29: Deadline for students to give written notice to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays*

February 2027

Mon, Feb 8: February Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Feb 9)
Tue, Feb 16: Advance registration for summer semester begins
Mon, Feb 22: Spring Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Feb 23)

March 2027

Sun–Sun, Mar 7–14: Spring break for both campuses
Fri, Mar 19: February Miniterm ends (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option)
Mon, Mar 22: March Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Mar 23)
Fri, Mar 26: Midterm grades due
Tue, Mar 30: Advance registration for fall semester begins

April 2027

Fri, Apr 9: Last day to withdraw from a course with “W” (except non-full-semester courses); Deadline to request Pass/Fail option
Fri, Apr 23: Spring Miniterm ends (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option); March Miniterm ends (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option)
Fri, Apr 30: Last day to defend thesis/dissertation for Spring 2027 graduation (check with graduate program director for internal deadlines)

May 2027

Tue, May 4: Last day of classes – Monroe Park campus
Wed, May 5: Reading day – Monroe Park campus
Thu–Thu, May 6–13: Final examinations – Monroe Park campus
Fri, May 7: Last day of classes – MCV campus
Sat, May 8: Last day to convert incomplete grades from fall semester
Mon–Fri, May 10–14: Final examinations – MCV campus
Thu–Sun, May 13–16: May school and departmental commencement ceremonies
Fri, May 14: Final thesis/dissertation submission deadline to Graduate School (includes ETD form, upload to Scholars Compass, and Survey of Earned Doctorates for Ph.D. students)
Sat, May 15: Universitywide commencement ceremony
Tue, May 18: Final grades due by noon via Faculty eServices
Sat, May 22: Official date for certifying May diplomas

Summer 2027

May 2027

Mon–Fri, May 24–Jun 11: 3-week session (add/drop and withdrawal deadlines apply)
Mon–Thu, May 24–Jun 24: 5-week session (add/drop and withdrawal deadlines apply)
Mon–Thu, May 24–Jul 15: 8-week session (classes beginning 3 p.m. or later; add/drop and withdrawal deadlines apply)
Wed, May 26: Deadline to provide written notice to instructors for observing religious holidays – 3-week session*
Fri, May 28: Deadline to provide written notice to instructors for observing religious holidays – 5-week and 8-week sessions*
Mon, May 31: University closed**

June 2027

Mon–Wed, Jun 14–Jul 14: 4½-week session (add/drop and withdrawal deadlines apply)
Mon–Thu, Jun 14–Jul 22: 6-week session (add/drop and withdrawal deadlines apply)
Mon–Thu, Jun 14–Aug 5: 8-week session (classes beginning 3 p.m. or later; add/drop and withdrawal deadlines apply)
Fri, Jun 18: Deadline to provide written notice to instructors for observing religious holidays – 4½-week, 6-week, and 8-week sessions*
Fri, Jun 18: University closed**
Mon–Thu, Jun 28–Jul 29: 5-week session (add/drop and withdrawal deadlines apply)

July 2027

Fri, Jul 2: Deadline to provide written notice to instructors for observing religious holidays – 5-week session*
Fri, Jul 2: Last day for degree candidates to submit graduation applications for August degrees
Mon, Jul 5: University closed**
Thu–Fri, Jul 15–Aug 13: 4½-week session (add/drop and withdrawal deadlines apply)
Mon, Jul 19: Deadline to provide written notice to instructors for observing religious holidays – 4½-week session*
Mon–Fri, Jul 26–Aug 13: 3-week session (add/drop and withdrawal deadlines apply)
Wed, Jul 28: Deadline to provide written notice to instructors for observing religious holidays – 3-week session*
Fri, Jul 30: Last day to defend thesis/dissertation for Summer 2027 graduation (check with graduate program director for internal deadlines)

August 2027

Fri, Aug 13: Final thesis/dissertation submission deadline to Graduate School (includes ETD form, upload to Scholars Compass, and Survey of Earned Doctorates for Ph.D. students)
Fri, Aug 13: Summer sessions end
Tue, Aug 17: Final grades due by noon via Faculty eServices
Sat, Aug 21: Official date for certifying August diplomas

Fall 2027| VCU Academic Calendar 2026-2027

August 2027

Thu, Aug 19: Orientation for new graduate students
TBA: Weeks of Welcome begin
Mon, Aug 23: New Student Convocation
Tue, Aug 24: Classes begin (MCV campus students follow departmental schedule)
Tue–Mon, Aug 24–30: Add/drop and late registration
TBA: Faculty Convocation
Tue–Mon, Aug 31–Sep 20: Progress reports due for undergraduate students in need of academic support

September 2027

Wed, Sep 1: Deadline for dean/departmental offices to submit all approved undergraduate change of major requests (effective Fall 2027 semester)
Fri, Sep 3: Deadline to provide written notification to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays*
Mon, Sep 6: University closed**
Fri, Sep 10: Last day for degree candidates to submit graduation applications for December degrees
Mon, Sep 13: September Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Sep 14)
Mon, Sep 27: Fall Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Sep 28)

October 2027

Fri, Oct 15: September Miniterm classes end (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option)
Fri, Oct 22: Reading day – No classes held (Monroe Park campus)
Fri, Oct 22: Midterm grades due
Mon, Oct 25: October Miniterm classes begin (last day to add/drop is Oct 26)

November 2027

Tue, Nov 2: Spring semester advance registration begins
Tue, Nov 2: University closed**
Fri, Nov 5: Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” (both campuses; excludes non-full-semester courses)
Fri, Nov 5: Deadline to request Pass/Fail option
Thu, Nov 11: Veterans Day – University open, classes in session (Honor American Veterans of All Wars)
Fri, Nov 19: Fall Miniterm classes end (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option)
Mon–Sun, Nov 22–28: Fall break – No classes (University offices open Nov 22–24) – Monroe Park campus (MCV campus follows departmental schedule)
Thu–Sun, Nov 25–28: University closed**
Fri, Nov 26: Last day to defend thesis/dissertation for Fall 2027 graduation (check with graduate program director for internal deadlines)

December 2027

Fri, Dec 3: October Miniterm classes end (last day to withdraw or choose Pass/Fail option)
Thu–Sun, Dec 9–12: December School and Departmental commencement ceremonies
Fri, Dec 10: Final thesis/dissertation submission deadline to Graduate School (includes ETD form, upload to Scholars Compass, & Survey of Earned Doctorates for Ph.D. students)
Fri, Dec 10: Last day of classes – MCV campus
Sat, Dec 11: December universitywide commencement ceremony
Mon, Dec 13: Last day for grades of incomplete to be converted from Spring semester or Summer sessions
Mon, Dec 13: Last day of classes – Monroe Park campus
Mon–Fri, Dec 13–17: Final examinations – MCV campus
Tue–Tue, Dec 14–21: Final examinations – Monroe Park campus
Wed, Dec 22: Final grades due by 11:59 p.m. via Faculty eServices [date & time change]
Fri–Sat, Dec 24–Jan 1: University closed**
Sat, Dec 25: Official date for certifying December diplomas
Mon, Dec 27: Holiday intersession classes begin
Mon, Dec 27: January Term classes begin
Wed, Dec 29: Deadline to provide written notification to instructors of intent to observe religious holidays – holiday intersession & January Term*

Contact VCU

1015 Floyd Ave. Box 842520 Richmond, Virginia 23284-2520
Phone: (804) 828-1349
Email: rar@vcu.edu

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