Rev. OUR 1-10-2018
2017–2018 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The academic calendar is divided into fall and spring semesters of approximately 15 weeks each and summer sessions of varying length. The last
week of the fall and spring semesters is set aside for final examinations. The academic calendar for the Washington College of Law (WCL) of
American University varies from this general schedule, and its key dates are noted below in italics. For the full WCL academic calendar, please go
to: http://www.wcl.american.edu/registrar/
The holidays and vacations observed by the university are noted below. Spring break is the week following the spring semester midterm. Classes
continue until 10:40 p.m. the evening before a holiday or vacation period.
Note: The refund/withdrawal schedule applies to all courses with a standard schedule during a regular semester (fall/spring). Refunds/withdrawals
for courses on nonstandard schedules (including MBA modules), as well as all summer session courses, are calculated proportionately, based on the
percentage of the course completed. For more information, please go to: www.american.edu/finance/studentaccounts/Refunds-for-Course-Drops-and-
Withdrawals.cfm.
Dates in red need to be verified with appropriate office or department and may be subject to change.
FALL SEMESTER 2017
August 1 T Payment due for fall 2017
August 19–27 S–Su Welcome Week
August 21 M WCL: First day of classes
August 25 F Last day to register for fall without a late fee
August 28 M Fall classes begin
Late registration (with $100 fee) begins
September 1 F Late registration for fall ends
September 4 M Labor Day; no classes, university offices closed
September 6 W Mathematics Equivalency Examination
September 11 M Last day to add a fall course, internship, Independent Reading or Research, or Community Service-Learning project
Last day to drop a fall course for a 100% refund and without a "W" recorded
September 18 M Last day to drop a fall course for a 50% refund
September 25 M Last day to drop a fall course for a 25% refund (no refunds after this date)
October 2 M Early warning notices due in Registrar's Office
October 13 F Fall Break; no classes, university offices open
October 20–22 F-Su All-American Weekend
October 23 M Spring 2018 priority registration for graduate students begins.
October 25 W Spring 2018 priority registration for undergraduate students begins.
October 28 S Writing Proficiency Examination
October 31 T Last day to apply for graduation in fall 2017
November 3 F Last day to drop a fall course or change a grade option (end of the 10
th
week)
November 10 F Theses and dissertations due in deans’ offices for fall degree candidates
November 21 T Tuesday classes cancelled; Friday classes meet
November 22–26 W–Su Thanksgiving holiday; no classes; university offices closed Thursday and Friday
November 30 Th WCL: Last day of classes (includes make-ups for holidays)
December 6 W WCL: Examinations begin
December 8 F Fall classes end
Theses and dissertations due in Registrar's Office for fall degree candidates
December 9-10 S-Su Fall Study Days
December 11–16 M–S Fall final examinations; grades are due 72 hours following the exam
December 16 S WCL: Examinations end
December 17 Su Fall Commencement Ceremony for August and December 2017 graduates (10:00 a.m.)
December 21 Th WCL: Official Degree Award Date (date that appears on December 2017 diplomas; no event associate with this date)
December 31 Su Official Degree Award Date (date that appears on December 2017 diplomas; no event associated with this date)
December 23– S-M Winter break; university offices closed
January 1