Grand Canyon University Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Phoenix, Arizona
Private | Semester System | ~120000 Students
Source:
Grand Canyon University's Registrar
Grand Canyon University
- Office of the Registrar.
Last Verified:
August 10, 2026
Table of Contents
Looking for important Grand Canyon University academic calendar dates? Below you'll find registration periods, semester information, finals, commencement, and other resources.
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Important Academic Dates
Fall Semester
Fall Semester Begins
September 7, 2026
Fall Add/Drop Deadline
Not listed on the official academic calendar
Fall Withdrawal Deadline
November 21, 2026
Fall Finals Week Start Date
Not listed on the official academic calendar
Fall Finals Week End Date
Not listed on the official academic calendar
Spring Semester
Spring Semester Begins
January 3, 2027
Spring Add/Drop Deadline
Not listed on the official academic calendar
Spring Break Start Date
March 14, 2027
Spring Break End Date
March 20, 2027
Spring Withdrawal Deadline
March 28, 2027
Spring Finals Week Start Date
Not listed on the official academic calendar
Spring Finals Week End Date
Not listed on the official academic calendar
Other Important Dates
Commencement Date
April 18, 2027
Summer Semester Begins
May 2, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Grand Canyon University's Fall term begin?
Grand Canyon University's Fall begins on Sep, 8 2026.
When is Grand Canyon University’s Spring Break?
Grand Canyon University's Spring Break is from Mar, 15 2027 through Mar, 21 2027.
When are Grand Canyon University’s final exams?
Grand Canyon University's Fall final exams are scheduled from through .
Does Grand Canyon University use semesters or quarters?
Grand Canyon University uses a semester academic calendar.
Semester Overview
Fall Semester
The Fall 2026 semester begins September 8, 2026, following move-in and Welcome Week activities. For traditional 15-week courses, the final drop date is November 22, instruction moves to asynchronous online for most courses November 23-25, and Thanksgiving Break is November 26-27. Face-to-face instruction ends December 18 and the term ends December 20.
Spring Semester
The Spring 2027 semester begins January 4, 2027. Spring Break runs March 15-21, the final drop date is March 28, face-to-face instruction ends April 23, and the term ends April 25. Final course grades for 15-week courses are due May 2.
Grand Canyon University does not have a traditional Winter semester. Winter Break occurs between the Fall and Spring semesters. GCU's online and nontraditional programs may have courses beginning during this period because those programs use frequent start dates rather than a traditional fixed-term schedule.
Summer Semester
The Summer 2027 calendar follows GCU's Summer semester structure, with traditional campus courses offered in multiple sessions. GCU's traditional Summer calendar includes Session A and Session B, while individual courses can have different start and end dates.
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 Grand Canyon University's official academic calendar before making academic decisions.
University Overview
Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona. GCU follows a semester-based academic calendar for its traditional campus, with Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Traditional campus courses generally follow a 15-week schedule, while online and evening programs use shorter sessions and frequent course start dates.
Registration Overview
Registration and course-start dates vary substantially depending on whether a student is enrolled in a traditional campus, online, evening, satellite, or cohort program. GCU's online programs generally use rolling enrollment with many courses starting weekly, while traditional campus programs follow the published semester calendar.
Finals Overview
GCU's traditional 15-week calendar does not identify one universal finals-week date in the same way as many universities. Students should follow the examination requirements and schedule provided for their individual courses and program. The published calendar identifies the end of face-to-face instruction and end of term dates.
Graduation Overview
GCU holds commencement ceremonies throughout the academic year for different colleges and student populations. Fall 2026 traditional campus commencement ceremonies are scheduled by college during the week of December 14, while Fall nontraditional campus commencements are scheduled by college during the week of October 12.