Academic Calendar 2026‑27

Transylvania uses a modified calendar called a “4-4-1 system.” The academic year is divided into three parts: two regular terms (fall and winter) and a one-month term in May. 

A regular term is 14 weeks long, and students normally take four courses.

During the four‑week May term, students concentrate on one class and often get their first taste of international study. Many May term courses are team-taught and are highly interdisciplinary.

2025-26 Academic Calendar

Fall 2026

August 27ThursdayNew students arrive on campus – Move In Day
August 29-30Saturday-SundayReturning students arrive on campus
August 31MondayClasses begin
September 3ThursdayLast day to add a first-half course
September 8FridayLast day to add a full-term course
Last day to change a grade option
Tuition Charges become final
September 7MondayLabor Day Holiday- No Classes/Offices Closed
September 9WednesdayLast day to drop a first-half course
September 18FridayLast day to drop a full-term course
September 21MondayLast day to withdraw from a first-half course
October 9FridayMidterm Progress Reports Due
October 12–13Monday – TuesdayFall Break
October 1–20May Travel Course Registration
October 20TuesdaySecond-half courses begin
October 22ThursdayLast day to add a second-half course
October 23FridayLast day to withdraw from a full-term course
October 27TuesdayLast day to drop a second-half course
November 9MondayLast day to withdraw from a second-half course
November 3-10Wednesday – WednesdayRegistration for Winter & May 2027 Terms
November 24TuesdayResidence halls close at 6:00 PM for Thanksgiving Break
November 25-27Wednesday – FridayThanksgiving Holiday
November 29SundayResidence halls open at 10:00 AM
December 4FridayLast day of regular classes
December 7MondayReading Day
December 8-11Tuesday – FridayFinal Exams
December 11 FridayResidence halls close at 6:00 PM for Winter Break
December 15TuesdayFall Term Grades Available (after 2pm)

Winter 2027

January 10SundayResidence halls re-open at 10:00 AM
January 11MondayClasses begin
January 14ThursdayLast day to add a first-half course
January 15FridayLast day to add a full-term course
Last day to change a grade option
Tuition Charges become final
January 18MondayMartin Luther King, Jr. Holiday – No Classes/Offices Closed
January 19TuesdayLast day to drop a first-half course
January 29FridayLast day to drop a full-term course
February 19FridayMidterm Progress Reports Due
February 23TuesdaySecond-half courses begin
February 25ThursdayLast day to add a second-half course
March 1MondayLast day to drop a second-half course
Incomplete grades from Fall term due
March 5FridayLast day to withdraw from a full-term course
March 12FridayResidence halls close at 5:00 PM for Spring Break
March 15 – 19Monday – FridaySpring Break
March 21SundayResidence halls re-open at 12:00 PM
March 24WednesdayLast day to withdraw from a second-half course
March 29–April 2Monday – FridayRegistration for Fall term 2027
April 16FridayLast day of regular classes
April 19MondayReading Day
April 20–23Tuesday – FridayFinal Exams
April 23FridayResidence halls close at 6:00 PM for students not enrolled in May term
April 27TuesdayWinter Term Grades Available (after 2pm)

May 2027

April 28WednesdayClasses begin
April 29ThursdayLast day to Add/Drop a course
Last day to change a grade option
May 6ThursdayLast day to withdraw from a course
May 25TuesdayLast day of classes – Final Exams
Residence halls close at 6:00 PM for non-graduates
May 29SaturdayCommencement
Residence halls close at 5:00 PM for graduates
May 31MondayMemorial Day Holiday – Offices Closed
June 1TuesdayMay Term Grades Available (after 2pm)

Summer 2027

June 7MondayClasses begin
June 8TuesdayLast day to Add/Drop a course
Last day to change a grade option
June 18FridayLast day to withdraw from a course
June 21MondayJuneteenth Observed – Offices Closed
July 2FridayIndependence Day Holiday Observed – Offices Closed
July 13TuesdayLast day of classes – Final Exams
July 16FridaySummer Term Grades Available (after 2pm)