Lehigh University Academic Calendar 2026–2027
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Private University | ~7400 Students | Semester System
Looking for important Lehigh University academic calendar dates? Below you'll find registration periods, semester information, finals, commencement, and planning resources.
Stay Organized at Lehigh University with Course Sync
Keep your Lehigh 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
September 4, 2026
Fall Withdrawal Deadline
Friday, November 6, 2026
Fall Finals Week Start Date
Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Fall Finals Week End Date
Wednesday, December 16, 2026
Spring Semester
Spring Semester Begins
Monday, January 25, 2027
Spring Add/Drop Deadline
Friday, February 5, 2027
Spring Break Start Date
Thursday, March 15, 2001
Spring Break End Date
Friday, March 19, 2027
Spring Withdrawal Deadline
Friday, April 16, 2027
Spring Finals Week Start Date
Tuesday, May 11, 2027
Spring Finals Week End Date
Wednesday, May 19, 2027
Other Important Dates
Commencement Date
Not Listed
Summer Semester Begins
Monday, May 24, 2027
University Overview
Lehigh University is a private research university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Known for its nationally recognized programs in engineering, business, arts and sciences, education, and health, Lehigh follows a semester based academic calendar with fall, winter, spring, and summer terms. The Office of the Registrar publishes an official academic calendar each year that includes registration periods, add/drop deadlines, withdrawal dates, university breaks, final examinations, and commencement, helping students successfully plan every semester.
Semester Overview
Fall Semester
The fall semester begins in late August and continues through early December. Students attend classes, finalize schedules during the add/drop period, complete coursework, participate in common hour exams, and finish the semester with a reading period followed by final examinations. Thanksgiving Break provides students with a short academic break before the final weeks of the semester.
Spring Semester
The spring semester begins in late January and concludes in early May. Throughout the semester, students balance coursework, advising appointments, registration for future semesters, common hour exams, spring break, and final examinations. Planning ahead allows students to stay organized during one of the busiest parts of the academic year.
Summer Semester
Lehigh offers multiple summer sessions that allow students to complete degree requirements, earn additional credits, or accelerate graduation. Summer courses operate on compressed schedules, making registration, add/drop, and withdrawal deadlines arrive much earlier than during the regular academic year.
Registration Overview
Students register according to assigned enrollment periods based on class standing. Before registration opens, students should meet with their academic advisor, resolve registration holds, and prepare course selections. Registering early provides the greatest opportunity to enroll in preferred classes.
Finals Overview
Lehigh schedules a dedicated review, consultation, and study period before final examinations begin. Final exams are administered over multiple consecutive days following the end of classes, giving students time to prepare before testing begins.
Graduation Overview
Lehigh University hosts commencement ceremonies each May for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students. Students planning to graduate should submit graduation applications before university deadlines and verify degree requirements with the Office of the Registrar.
What Actually Works
Review the academic calendar every week.
Meet with your academic advisor before registration.
Register as soon as your assigned enrollment window opens.
Keep assignments and university deadlines together in one planner.
Begin studying before the official review period.
Check the Registrar website regularly for updates.
FAQ
Where can I find the official Lehigh University academic calendar?
The official academic calendar is published by Lehigh University's Office of the Registrar and includes semester dates, registration periods, holidays, final examinations, and commencement information.
Does Lehigh University have a winter term?
Yes. Lehigh offers a winter term between the fall and spring semesters in addition to summer sessions.
When does the spring semester begin at Lehigh University?
For the 2026 to 2027 academic year, spring classes begin on January 25, 2027.
Why should students regularly review the academic calendar?
Reviewing the academic calendar helps students stay informed about registration periods, add/drop deadlines, withdrawal deadlines, university breaks, final examinations, and graduation requirements before important deadlines arrive.
Semester Experience
Early Semester
The first few weeks of the semester are the best time to organize syllabi, enter assignment due dates into a planner, review university deadlines, and establish a weekly planning routine. Building strong organizational habits early makes the rest of the semester significantly easier.
Mid Semester
Projects, common hour exams, advising appointments, and registration periods often overlap during the middle of the semester. Students who continue checking the academic calendar are better prepared because they can anticipate deadlines before they become urgent.
Final Weeks
The final weeks include review days, final examinations, graduation preparation, and planning for the next semester. Students who consistently tracked deadlines throughout the semester can focus on finishing classes successfully rather than managing last minute administrative tasks.
Final Thoughts
The Lehigh University academic calendar serves as the foundation for organizing each semester. Registration, coursework, university breaks, examinations, and graduation all depend on understanding important academic deadlines. Students who consistently review the calendar throughout the year are more likely to stay organized, reduce stress, and avoid preventable scheduling problems.
Important Note
This page is intended for informational and planning purposes only. Academic calendars may change, and certain academic programs or course formats may follow different schedules. Always verify registration dates, withdrawal deadlines, final examination schedules, and commencement information using Lehigh University's official academic calendar before making academic decisions.
