Academic Calendar

Fall and spring terms are 16 weeks in length: The Fall term starts in late August or early September and goes through mid December.  Spring starts in early January and goes through mid-May.  Summer sessions vary in length from 4 weeks to 12 weeks, May through August, with classes typically meeting Monday through Friday.

If you are looking for a holiday and break calendar, please see the SD BOR Academic Calendar.

Spring 2018 Schedule

  • Jan. 6 (Sat) - 8 a.m. Residence halls open for all students
  • Jan. 8 (Mon) - 8 a.m. Classes begin
  • Jan. 15 (Mon) - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - no classes
  • Jan. 17 (Wed) - CENSUS DAY
    • Last day to register for any spring class to determine financial aid eligibility
    • Last day to add a full semester class; Last day to drop a full semester class and receive 100% refund
  • Jan. 18 (Thurs) - Tuition and fees - deadline for payment or payment plan to avoid cancellation of registration and late fee assessment
  • Jan. 31 (Wed) - Last day to apply for Spring 2018 and Summer 18 graduation
  • Feb. 19 (Mon) - President’s Day - no classes
  • Mar. 2 (Fri) - Last day of first half semester classes
  • Mar. 3-11 (Sat-Sun) - Spring Break
    • Residence Halls close at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 2 and reopen 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 11
  • Mar. 15 (Thurs) - Mid-term deficient grades due
  • Mar. 19-April 13 (Mon-Fri) - Continuing student pre-registration for Fall and Summer 2018 and Spring 2019
  • Mar. 21 (Wed) - Last day a student can withdraw from the university and be eligible for a refund of university charges based on federal regulations and Board of Regents policy
  • Mar. 30-April 1 (Fri-Sun) - Easter Holiday - Please note Easter holiday begins 5 p.m. on March 30
  • April 2 (Mon) - Classes resume
  • April 3 (Tue) - Last day to withdraw from a full semester class or school
  • April 30-May 4 (Mon-Fri) - Final examination period; semester ends; residence halls close at 3 p.m.
  • May 5 (Sat) - Commencement, Fieldhouse, 10:30 a.m.
  • May 9 (Wed) - Final grades due

Summer 2018 Schedule

  • May 14 (Mon) - Full 12-week and first 6-week sessions begin
  • May 17 (Thur) - Census date for first 6-week session
    • Last day to add a class or drop a 6-week class with full refund
  • May 22 (Mon) - Census date for full 12-week session
    • Last day to add a Claus or drop a 12-week class with full refund
  • May 28 (Mon) - Memorial Day - no classes
  • May 30 (Wed) - Last day to withdraw from all first 6-week session classes and receive a prorated refund
  • June 11 (Mon) - Last day to withdraw with a “W” from first 6-week session - no refund
  • June 22 (Fri) - First 6-week session ends
    • Last day to withdraw from all full 12-week session classes and receive a prorated refund
  • June 25 (Mon) - Second 6-week session begins
  • June 28 (Thur) - Census date for second 6-week session
    • Last day to add a class or drop a class with full refund
  • July 4 (Thur) - Independence Day - no classes
  • July 11 (Wed) - Last day to withdraw with a “W” from full 12-week session - no refund
    • Last day to withdraw from all second 6-week session classes and receive a prorated refund
  • July 23 (Mon) - Last day to withdraw with a “W” for second 6-week session - no refund
  • Aug 3 (Fri) - Full 12 week and second 6-week sessions end

Fall 2018 Schedule

  • Aug. 17 (Fri) - 8:00 a.m. Residence Halls open for First Year Students only. New Student Orientation Activities begin
  • Aug. 18-19 (Sat-Sun) - 8:00 a.m. Residence Halls open for all students
  • Aug. 20 (Mon) - 8:00 a.m. Classes begin
  • Aug. 30 (Thur)  - CENSUS DAY
    • Last day to register for any fall class to determine financial aid eligibility
    • Last day to add a full semester class
    • Last day to drop a full semester class and receive 100% refund
  • Aug. 31 (Fri) - Tuition and Fees - Deadline for payment or payment plan to avoid cancellation of registration and late fee assessment
  • Sept. 3 (Mon) - Labor Day – no classes
  • Sept. 28 (Fri) - Last day to apply for Fall 2018 graduation
  • Oct. 8 (Mon) - Native American Day – no classes
  • Oct. 12 (Fri)  - Last day of first half semester classes
  • Oct. 17 (Wed) - Mid-term deficiency grades due
  • Oct. 22-Nov. 9 -Continuing student pre-registration for spring 2019 and summer 2019 and Fall 2019 (tentative)
  • Oct. 24 (Wed)  - Last day a student may withdraw from the University and be eligible for a partial refund of University charges based on federal regulations and Board of Regents policy. 
  • Nov. 2 (Fri) - Last day to withdraw from a full semester course or school
  • Nov. 12 (Mon) - Veterans Day holiday observed – no classes
  • Nov. 21- Nov. 25 (Wed-Sun) - Thanksgiving holiday – no classes - Please note: Tuesday, Nov. 20, evening classes will be held
  • Nov. 26 (Mon) - Classes Resume
  • Dec. 5 (Wed) - No Classes
  • Dec. 6-12 (Th-Wed) - Final Examination Period
  • Dec. 8 (Sat) - Commencement – Fieldhouse – 10:30 AM
  • Dec. 12 (Wed) - Semester Ends
    • Residence Halls Close – 5:00 p.m.
  • Dec. 17 (Mon) - Final grades due 

Note: Dates and events are subject to change. Changes will be communicated to campus via email, campus newspaper, or other means as appropriate.