Ferris State University Academic Calendar 2026–2027
Looking for important Ferris State University academic calendar dates? Below you'll find registration periods, semester information, finals, commencement, and planning resources.
Stay Organized at Ferris State University with Course Sync
Keep your Ferris State 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 31, 2026
Fall Add/Drop Deadline
September 3, 2026
Fall Withdrawal Deadline
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Fall Finals Week Start Date
Monday, December 14, 2026
Fall Finals Week End Date
Friday, December 18, 2026
Spring Semester
Spring Semester Begins
Monday, January 11, 2027
Spring Add/Drop Deadline
Thursday, January 14, 2027
Spring Break Start Date
Saturday, March 6, 2027
Spring Break End Date
Sunday, March 14, 2027
Spring Withdrawal Deadline
Wednesday, March 24, 2027
Spring Finals Week Start Date
Monday, May 3, 2027
Spring Finals Week End Date
Friday, May 7, 2027
Other Important Dates
Commencement Date
Not Listed
Summer Semester Begins
Tuesday, May 18, 2027
University Overview
Ferris State University is a public university located in Big Rapids, Michigan, with additional locations in Grand Rapids and other regional centers. The university offers career focused undergraduate and graduate programs across health sciences, business, technology, education, and applied sciences. Ferris State operates on a semester based academic calendar with fall, spring, and summer terms, along with additional part of term sessions that allow flexible course scheduling. Each year, the Registrar publishes official academic calendars that include registration windows, add/drop deadlines, withdrawal dates, final examinations, holidays, and commencement schedules to help students stay organized throughout the academic year.
Semester Overview
Fall Semester
The fall semester typically begins in late August and runs through early December. Students register for courses, adjust schedules during the add/drop period, attend classes, complete coursework, and finish the term with final examinations. Ferris State also uses multiple part of term formats, meaning different classes may start and end on different schedules. This makes it especially important for students to track deadlines carefully throughout the semester.
Spring Semester
The spring semester begins in mid January and continues through early May. Students manage coursework, advising, registration for future semesters, and final exams. The semester includes breaks such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and spring recess. Registration for future terms often opens during the spring semester, so students who plan ahead are better able to secure preferred courses.
Summer Semester
Ferris State offers multiple summer sessions with varying start and end dates depending on course length. Summer classes are often accelerated, meaning deadlines such as add/drop and withdrawal occur much earlier than in fall or spring. Students use summer terms to complete additional credits, catch up, or graduate earlier.
Registration Overview
Registration is based on student classification and earned credits. Students are assigned priority registration windows and should meet with advisors before enrollment opens. Because courses fill quickly and multiple part of term options exist, early planning is essential to building a workable schedule.
Finals Overview
Final examinations are held at the end of each term during a designated exam week. The university publishes official exam schedules in advance, and some classes may have exams outside normal meeting times. Students benefit from preparing early since finals often overlap across multiple courses.
Graduation Overview
Ferris State University hosts commencement ceremonies at the end of fall and spring semesters, with additional summer degree conferrals. Students must apply for graduation before published deadlines and confirm degree completion requirements with academic advisors. Missing deadlines can delay graduation even if all coursework is completed.
What Actually Works
Review the academic calendar weekly
Track part of term schedules separately
Register as early as possible
Keep all deadlines in one planner
Prepare for finals early
Meet with advisors before registration
FAQ
Where can I find the official Ferris State University academic calendar?
The official academic calendar is published by Ferris State University and includes all key academic dates such as registration, semester schedules, exams, and commencement.
Does Ferris State use multiple part of term schedules?
Yes. Ferris State uses multiple part of term schedules where different courses may start and end on different dates.
When does registration open at Ferris State?
Registration opens in phases based on student classification and earned credits.
Why is the academic calendar important at Ferris State?
Because different courses follow different schedules, the academic calendar helps students track deadlines across all classes and avoid missing important dates.
Semester Experience
Early Semester
Early semester is when students should organize syllabi, confirm registration, and map out all deadlines. Because part of term courses may start at different times, students should build a full semester overview rather than tracking only one set of dates.
Mid Semester
Mid semester often includes overlapping deadlines from multiple course formats. Assignments, exams, and registration for future terms can all occur at the same time, making calendar tracking especially important.
Final Weeks
Final weeks include exams, final projects, and graduation preparation. Students who have tracked deadlines throughout the semester generally experience fewer surprises and can focus more on academic performance.
Final Thoughts
The Ferris State University academic calendar is more complex than a standard semester system due to its part of term structure. Students who actively track deadlines across all course formats are more likely to stay organized, avoid scheduling conflicts, and complete their academic goals on time. At Ferris State, consistent planning is essential for success.
Important Note
This page is for informational purposes only. Academic dates may vary by program, course format, or academic year. Always verify registration deadlines, add/drop periods, withdrawal deadlines, final exam schedules, and commencement information using Ferris State University’s official academic calendar before making academic decisions.
