Academic Calendar 2025‑26

Transylvania uses a modified calendar called a “4-4-1 system.” The academic year is divided into three parts: two regular terms (fall and winter) and a one-month term in May. 

A regular term is 14 weeks long, and students normally take four courses.

During the four‑week May term, students concentrate on one class and often get their first taste of international study. Many May term courses are team-taught and are highly interdisciplinary.

Fall 2025

August 22FridayNew students arrive on campus – Move In Day
August 23-24Saturday – SundayNew Student Orientation
August 25MondayFirst Engagements Class begins for First-Year students
August 28ThursdayFirst Engagements Class ends for First-Year students
August 31-September 1Sunday – MondayReturning students arrive on campus
September 1MondayLabor Day Holiday- No Classes/Offices Closed
September 2TuesdayClasses begin
September 5FridayLast day to add a first-half course
September 8MondayLast day to add a full-term course
Last day to change a grade option
Tuition Charges become final
September 10WednesdayLast day to drop a first-half course
September 19FridayLast day to drop a full-term course
September 22MondayLast day to withdraw from a first-half course
October 10FridayMidterm Progress Reports Due
October 13–14Monday – TuesdayFall Break
October 1–20May Travel Course Registration
October 21TuesdaySecond-half courses begin
October 23ThursdayLast day to add a second-half course
October 24FridayLast day to withdraw from a full-term course
November 3MondayLast day to drop a second-half course
November 4TuesdayLast day to withdraw from a second-half course
November 5-12Wednesday – WednesdayRegistration for Winter & May 2026 Terms
November 26-28Wednesday – FridayThanksgiving Holiday
December 5FridayLast day of regular classes
December 8MondayReading Day
December 9-12Tuesday – FridayFinal Exams
December 12 FridayResidence halls close at 6:00 PM for Winter Break
December 16TuesdayFall Term Grades Available (after 2pm)

Winter 2026

January 4SundayResidence halls re-open at 10:00 AM
January 5MondayClasses begin
January 7WednesdayLast day to add a first-half course
January 9FridayLast day to add a full-term course
Last day to change a grade option
Tuition Charges become final
January 15ThursdayLast day to drop a first-half course
January 19MondayMartin Luther King, Jr. Holiday – No Classes/Offices Closed
January 23FridayLast day to drop a full-term course
February 13FridayMidterm Progress Reports Due
February 17TuesdaySecond-half courses begin
February 19ThursdayLast day to add a second-half course
February 23MondayLast day to drop a second-half course
February 27FridayLast day to withdraw from a full-term course
Incomplete grades from Fall term due
March 6FridayResidence halls close at 5:00 PM for Spring Break
March 9 – 13Monday – FridaySpring Break
March 15SundayResidence halls re-open at 12:00 PM
March 18WednesdayLast day to withdraw from a second-half course
March 23–March 27Monday – FridayRegistration for Fall term 2026
April 10FridayLast day of regular classes
April 13MondayReading Day
April 14–17Tuesday – FridayFinal Exams
April 17FridayResidence halls close at 6:00 PM for students not enrolled in May term
April 21TuesdayWinter Term Grades Available (after 2pm)

May 2026

April 22WednesdayClasses begin
April 23ThursdayLast day to Add/Drop a course
Last day to change a grade option
April 30ThursdayLast day to withdraw from a course
May 19TuesdayLast day of classes – Final Exams
Residence halls close at 6:00 PM for non-graduates
May 23SaturdayCommencement
Residence halls close at 5:00 PM for graduates
May 25MondayMemorial Day Holiday – Offices Closed
May 26TuesdayMay Term Grades Available (after 2pm)

Summer 2026

June 1MondayClasses begin
June 2TuesdayLast day to Add/Drop a course
Last day to change a grade option
June 12FridayLast day to withdraw from a course
June 19ThursdayJuneteenth Observed-Offices Closed
July 3TuesdayLast day of classes – Final Exams
July 7ThursdaySummer Term Grades Available (after 2pm)