Drake University Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Looking for important Drake University academic calendar dates? Below you'll find registration periods, semester information, finals, commencement, and planning resources.
Stay Organized at Drake University with Course Sync
Keep your Drake University classes, assignments, registration dates, exams, and important academic deadlines organized in one place. Course Sync helps you build a personalized semester plan so you can stay ahead of deadlines, reduce stress, and stay focused throughout the entire academic year.
Important Academic Dates
Fall Semester
Fall Semester Begins
August 24, 2026
Fall Add/Drop Deadline
Fall Withdrawal Deadline
Fall Finals Week Start Date
Monday, December 7, 2026
Fall Finals Week End Date
Friday, December 11, 2026
Spring Semester
Spring Semester Begins
Monday, January 25, 2027
Spring Add/Drop Deadline
Spring Break Start Date
Wednesday, April 21, 2027
Spring Break End Date
Saturday, April 24, 2027
Spring Withdrawal Deadline
Spring Finals Week Start Date
Monday, May 10, 2027
Spring Finals Week End Date
Friday, May 14, 2027
Other Important Dates
Commencement Date
Not Listed
Summer Semester Begins
Monday, May 17, 2027
University Overview
Drake University is a private university located in Des Moines, Iowa. Known for its strengths in business, law, pharmacy, journalism, education, public administration, and the health sciences, Drake emphasizes experiential learning through internships, community engagement, and undergraduate research. The university follows a semester-based academic calendar that also includes a January Term (J-Term), giving students additional flexibility for intensive coursework, travel courses, and unique learning experiences. The Office of the Registrar publishes the official academic calendar with important dates for registration, classes, academic deadlines, final evaluations, and commencement.
Semester Overview
Fall Semester
The Fall 2026 semester begins on August 24, 2026. Students should review the academic calendar before classes begin to understand registration deadlines, fall break, holidays, final evaluations, and important academic milestones. Drake's J-Term structure also makes long-term planning important for students considering winter courses.
Spring Semester
The Spring 2027 semester begins on January 25, 2027 following J-Term and concludes with final evaluations in May. Students should monitor spring break, registration periods, graduation deadlines, and internship opportunities throughout the semester.
Summer Semester
Drake offers summer coursework that allows students to accelerate degree completion, complete prerequisites, or stay on track for graduation. Summer classes begin in May and follow separate registration schedules and academic deadlines.
Registration Overview
Students register according to assigned registration appointments after meeting with their academic advisor. Planning ahead helps students secure required courses while staying on pace for graduation.
Finals Overview
Instead of a traditional "finals week," Drake refers to this period as the Final Evaluation Period. Fall final evaluations take place December 7 through December 11, 2026, while Spring final evaluations are scheduled for May 10 through May 14, 2027.
Graduation Overview
Spring Commencement is scheduled for May 15, 2027. Graduating students should monitor official announcements regarding graduation applications, degree audits, and ceremony details throughout their final semester.
What Actually Works
Add every important academic deadline to one calendar
Review every course syllabus during the first week
Meet with your academic advisor before registration begins
Plan ahead if you intend to enroll in J-Term courses
Begin preparing for final evaluations before evaluation week
Check the official academic calendar regularly for updates
FAQ
When does the fall semester begin at Drake University?
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Fall Semester begins on August 24, 2026.
Where can I find the official Drake University academic calendar?
The Office of the Registrar publishes the official academic calendar with semester dates, registration periods, holidays, final evaluations, and commencement information.
Does Drake University have a January Term?
Yes. Drake includes a three-week J-Term between the fall and spring semesters. Students can use J-Term to complete intensive courses, participate in travel experiences, or make progress toward graduation.
Why should I check the Drake University academic calendar throughout the semester?
Reviewing the academic calendar regularly helps you stay informed about registration deadlines, add/drop periods, academic breaks, final evaluations, J-Term dates, and commencement so you can better organize your semester and avoid missing important deadlines.
Semester Experience
Early Semester
Use the first week to finalize your schedule, review every syllabus, organize assignment deadlines, and note important academic dates. If you're considering a J-Term course, begin planning early in the fall semester.
Mid Semester
Mid-semester often combines exams, major projects, advising appointments, registration, internship recruiting, and preparation for J-Term or spring classes. Meeting with your advisor before registration helps keep your degree plan on schedule.
Final Weeks
As final evaluations approach, prioritize completing major assignments before evaluation week begins. Graduating students should confirm that all graduation requirements and commencement responsibilities have been completed.
Final Thoughts
The Drake University academic calendar is more than a schedule of dates. It helps students coordinate coursework, internships, J-Term opportunities, registration, and graduation throughout the academic year. Reviewing it regularly can help you stay organized and avoid missing important deadlines.
Important Note
Academic calendars may change because of administrative updates or unforeseen circumstances. Always use the official Drake University academic calendar as the final authority for semester dates, evaluation schedules, commencement, and other important academic deadlines.
