George Washington University Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Washington, District of Columbia
Private | Semester System | ~26000 Students
Looking for important George Washington University academic calendar dates? Below you'll find registration periods, semester information, finals, commencement, and other resources.
Stay Organized at George Washington University with Course Sync
Keep your George Washington 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.
School Facts Card
School's Name
George Washington University
School's City
Washington
School's State
District of Columbia
School Semester System
Semester
School's Enrollment
26000
School's Type
Private
Important Academic Dates
Fall Semester
Fall Semester Begins
August 23, 2026
Fall Add/Drop Deadline
Fall Withdrawal Deadline
Fall Finals Week Start Date
December 10, 2026
Fall Finals Week End Date
December 16, 2026
Spring Semester
Spring Semester Begins
January 10, 2027
Spring Add/Drop Deadline
Spring Break Start Date
March 7, 2027
Spring Break End Date
March 12, 2027
Spring Withdrawal Deadline
Spring Finals Week Start Date
April 30, 2027
Spring Finals Week End Date
May 6, 2027
Other Important Dates
Commencement Date
George Washington University
Summer Semester Begins
Washington
University Overview
George Washington University is a private research university in Washington, D.C. GW follows a semester-based academic calendar with Fall and Spring semesters, along with multiple Summer sessions. The university's official academic calendar includes key academic dates, holidays, examination periods, and schedule modifications.
Semester Overview
Fall Semester
The Fall 2026 semester begins August 24, 2026. Fall Break is October 12-13, Thanksgiving Break is November 23-28, and the last day of classes is December 8. A make-up/reading day is scheduled for December 10, followed by final examinations from December 11-17.
Spring Semester
The Spring 2027 semester begins January 11, 2027. Spring Break runs March 8-13, the last day of classes is April 26, and reading days are April 29-30. Final examinations run May 1-7, followed by Commencement Weekend May 13-16.
George Washington University does not use a traditional university-wide Winter semester. Winter Break falls between the Fall and Spring semesters, with Spring 2027 classes beginning January 11.
Summer Semester
GW offers multiple Summer sessions. For Summer 2027, Session I begins May 17, with six-, eight-, ten-, and full-term sessions available. A second six-week session begins June 28. The full-term Summer session ends August 14.
Registration Overview
Registration dates vary based on student status and earned credits. GW recommends using GWeb and the university's registration schedule when planning for upcoming Fall and Spring semesters.
Finals Overview
Fall 2026 final examinations run from December 11 through December 17. Spring 2027 final examinations run from May 1 through May 7. GW also provides a separate final exam schedule for individual courses.
Graduation Overview
Spring 2027 Commencement Weekend is scheduled for May 13-16, with Spring degree conferral scheduled for May 16.
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
Register as soon as your enrollment window opens
Check GWeb for registration information
Track Summer courses separately
Begin preparing for final exams before finals week
Check the official academic calendar regularly for updates
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the official George Washington University academic calendar?
The Georgetown University Office of the University Registrar publishes the official main campus academic calendar with semester dates, registration deadlines, breaks, examinations, and commencement information.
Does George Washington University use semesters or quarters?
George Washington University follows a semester-based academic calendar with Fall and Spring semesters and multiple Summer sessions.
Does George Washington University offer Summer courses?
Yes. GW offers multiple Summer sessions, including six-, eight-, ten-, and full-term sessions.
When is Spring Break at George Washington University?
George Washington University's Spring 2027 Break runs from March 8 through March 13.
Final Thoughts
The George Washington University academic calendar is more than a schedule of important dates. It helps students coordinate coursework, registration, internships, employment, Summer courses, and graduation throughout the academic year. Reviewing it regularly can help you stay organized and avoid missing important academic deadlines.
Important Note
This page is intended for informational and planning purposes only. Academic calendars may vary by academic program, degree level, and course format. Always confirm registration dates, add/drop deadlines, withdrawal deadlines, examination schedules, and commencement information using George Washington University's official academic calendar before making academic decisions.
