Dakota State University students walking around campus

Rise with us

DSU is a place where innovation meets opportunity. We are a nationally recognized leader in technology-driven education, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. With hands-on learning experiences, expert faculty, and cutting-edge facilities, we prepare you for modern careers. Choose from a wide range of affordable, forward-thinking programs that allow you to shape your own path. Your future begins today.

Majors & Degrees

Academic Calendar

The calendar outlines key academic dates, including federal and state holidays (when no classes or assignments are scheduled), final exam periods, non-instructional days, and census dates. The fall and spring academic terms each span 16 weeks. Summer sessions run from May through August and vary in length from 4 to 12 weeks.

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

Fall 2026

Date Event
Aug 21 (Fri) Residence Halls open for first year students only
New Student Orientation activities begin
Aug 22 (Sat) Residence Halls open for all students
Aug 24 (Mon) Classes begin
Sept 3 (Thurs)

CENSUS DAY
Last day to register for any fall classes 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

Sept 4 (Fri) Tuition and Fees - Deadline for payment or payment plan to avoid cancellation of registration and late fee assessment
Sept 7 (Mon) Labor Day - No classes
Sept 21 (Mon) Last day to apply for Fall 2026 graduation
Sept 28 (Mon) Second 5-week session begins - see census and drop dates below calendar
Oct 8 (Thur) Day of Giving - no afternoon classes
Oct 12 (Mon) Native American Day - No classes
Oct 16 (Fri) Mid-term
Oct 20 (Mon) Second 8-week session begins - see census and drop dates below calendar
Oct 21 (Wed) Mid-term grades for undergraduate full-term courses are due at midnight
TBD Registration dates for continuing students’ pre-registration for summer/fall of 2026
Nov 2 (Mon) Third 5-week session begins - see census and drop dates below calendar
Nov 6 (Fri) Last day to withdraw from a full semester course or withdraw from the university entirely with no refund of university charges
Nov 11 (Wed) Veterans’ Day Holiday Observed - No classes
Nov 25-29 (Wed-Sun) Thanksgiving recess
Dec 9 (Wed) Final exam preparation - No classes
Dec 10-16 (Thurs-Wed) Final examination period
Dec 12 (Sat) Commencement
Dec 16 (Wed) Semester Ends* (*official graduate date on student transcript)
Dec 21 (Mon) Final grades due by midnight 

Standard full term: August 24 to December 16

  • Census date: September 3
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): November 6

First 8-week session: August 24 to October 16

  • Census date: September 3
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): November 6

Second 8-week session: October 19 to December 16

  • Census date: October 23
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): November 30

First 5-week session: August 24 to September 25

  • Census date: August 26
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): September 16

Second 5-week session: September 28 to October 30

  • Census date: September 30
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): October 21

Third 5-week session: November 2 to December 8

  • Census date: November 4
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): November 24

 

Schedule for classes meeting on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Combination (MWF, M, MW, WF, MTWTh, MTWThF, F)

Time class begins Day of Final Date of Final Time of Final
8 a.m. Monday December 14 8 - 10 a.m.
9 a.m. Friday December 11 8 - 10 a.m.
10 a.m. Monday December 14 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
11 a.m. Friday December 11 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
12 P.m. Friday December 11 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
1 p.m. Monday December 14 1 - 3 p.m.
2 p.m. Friday December 11 1 - 3 p.m.
3 p.m. Monday December 14 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
4 p.m. Wednesday December 16 8 - 10 a.m.

Schedule for class meeting on Tuesday and Thursday Combination (TTh, T, Th)

Time class begins Day of Final Date of Final Time of Final
8 a.m. Tuesday December 15 8 - 10 a.m.
9:30 a.m. Tuesday December 15 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
11 a.m. Thursday December 10 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
12 p.m. Tuesday December 15 1 - 3 p.m.
1 P.m. Thursday December 10 1 - 3 p.m.
2:30 p.m. Tuesday December 15 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
4 p.m. Thursday December 10

3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Courses beginning 5 p.m. or later will be held during their regular scheduled times.

Spring 2027

Date Event
Jan 9 (Sat) 8:00 AM Residence Halls open for all students
Jan 11 (Mon) Classes begin
Jan 18 (Mon) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No classes
Jan 20 (Wed)

Census Day
Last day to register for any spring classes 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 21 (Thur) Tuition and Fees - Deadline for payment or payment plan to avoid cancellation of registration and late assessment
Feb 5 (Fri) Last day to apply for Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 graduation
Feb 15 (Mon) President’s Day - No classes
Feb 16 (Tue) Second 5-week session begins - see census and drop dates below calendar
Mar 5 (Fri) Last day of first half semester classes
Mar 8 (Mon) Midterm - Second 8-week session begin - see census and drop dates below calendar
May 11 (Thurs) Midterm grades due 11:59 PM for undergraduate full-term courses
Mar 12-21 (Sat-Sun) Spring break - Residence Halls close at 5:00 PM on Friday, March 12 and reopen 8:00 AM on Sunday, March 21
TBD Registration dates for continuing students’ pre-registration for summer and fall 2027 and spring 2028
Mar 26-28 (Fri-Sun) Easter Holiday
Mar 29 (Mon) Third 5-week session begins - see census and drop dates below calendar
Apr 6 (Tue) Last day to withdraw from a full semester course or withdraw from the university entirely with no refund of university charges
May 3-7 (Mon-Fri) Final examination period - see full testing schedule below
May 7 (Fri) Semester ends* (*official graduation date noted on transcript)
May 8 (Sat) Commencement - DSU Fieldhouse
May 12 (Wed) Final grades due by 11:59 PM

Standard full term: January 11 to May 7

  • Census date: January 20
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): April 6

First 8-week session: January 11 to March 5

  • Census date: January 15
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): February 18

Second 8-week session: March 8 to May 7

  • Census date: March 12
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): May 21

First 5-week session: January 11 to February 12

  • Census date: January 13
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): February 3

Second 5-week session: February 16 to March 26

  • Census date: February 18
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): March 9

Third 5-week session: March 29 to April 30

  • Census date: March 31
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): April 21

Schedule for classes meeting on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Combination (MWF, M, MW, MF, MTWTh, MTWThF, F)

Time class begins Day of Final Date of Final Time of Final
8:00 AM Monday May 3 8:00 - 10:00 AM
9:00 AM Wednesday May 5 8:00 - 10:00 AM
10:00 AM Monday May 3 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
11:00 AM Wednesday May 5 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
12:00 PM Friday May 7 8:00 - 10:00 AM
1:00 PM Monday May 3 1:00 - 3:00 PM
2:00 PM Wednesday May 5 1:00 - 3:00 PM
3:00 PM Monday May 3 3:30 - 5:30 PM
4:00 PM Wednesday May 5 3:30 - 5:30 PM

Schedule for class meeting on Tuesday and Thursday Combination (TTh, T, Th)

Time class begins Day of Final Date of Final Time of Final
8:00 AM Tuesday May 4 8:00 - 10:30 AM
9:30 AM Tuesday May 4 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
11:00 AM Thursday May 6 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
12:00 PM Tuesday May 4 1:00 - 3:00 PM
1:00 PM Thursday May 6 1:00 - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM Tuesday May 4 3:30 - 5:30 PM
4:00 PM Thursday May 6 3:30 - 5:30 PM

Courses beginning 5:00 PM and later will be held during their regular scheduled times.

Summer 2027

Date Event
May 17 (Mon) Full 12-week and first 6-week sessions begin
May 20 (Thur) Census date for first 6-week sessions
Last day to add or drop a first session class with full refund
May 24 (Mon) Census date for full 12-week sessions
Last day to add or drop a full session class with full refund
May 31 (Mon) Memorial Day - No classes
June 14 (Mon) Last day to withdraw from first 6-week session - no refund
June 18 (Fri) Juneteenth Holiday - No classes
June 25 (Fri) First 6-week session ends
July 1 (Thur) Census Date for second 6-week sessions
Last day to add or drop a second session class with full refund
July 5 (Mon) Independence Day - No classes
July 14 (Wed) Last day to withdraw from the full 12-week sessions - no refund
July 26 (Fri) Last day to withdraw from the second 6-week sessions - no refund
Aug 6 (Fri) Full 12-week and second 6-week sessions end
Aug 11 (Wed) Final grades due by 11:50 PM

Standard full term: May 17 to August 6

  • Census date: May 24
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): July 14

First 6-week session: May 17 to June 25

  • Census date: May 20
  • Last day to withdraw (LDW): July 17

Second 6-week session: June 28 to August 6

  • Census date: July 1

More information

Find past academic calendars and complete finals schedules for fall and spring:

Full Academic Calendar