| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | 20 January 2025 | University-wide holiday honoring civil rights leader; no classes, offices closed, impacting students and staff with a day for reflection and community service. |
| 📚 | Spring Semester Classes Begin | 13 January 2025 | Start of spring term courses; students return from winter break, faculty commence teaching, affecting academic planning and enrollment. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day Holiday | 17 February 2025 | Federal holiday; classes suspended, allowing time for rest or study amid the semester. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 10 March 2025 | Week-long break for rejuvenation; students travel or relax, faculty prepare for post-break classes. |
| 🛫 | Spring Break Ends | 16 March 2025 | Return to classes after break; resumption of academic activities. |
| 🏁 | Last Day of Spring Classes | 28 April 2025 | Conclusion of spring semester instruction; preparation for finals begins. |
| 📝 | Spring Final Exams | 1 May 2025through May 8 | Examination period; high stress for students, grading for faculty. |
| 🎓 | Commencement Ceremony | 11 May 2025 | Graduation event celebrating achievements; affects graduates, families, and faculty. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Starts | 19 May 2025 | Beginning of optional summer courses; for accelerated learning or credit recovery. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day Holiday | 26 May 2025 | Holiday honoring military personnel; no classes. |
| 🗽 | Juneteenth Holiday | 19 June 2025 | Federal holiday commemorating emancipation; university closure. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day Holiday | 4 July 2025 | National celebration; break in summer session. |
| 🍂 | Fall Semester Classes Begin | 25 August 2025 | Start of fall term; new academic year excitement for all. |
| 👷 | Labor Day Holiday | 1 September 2025 | Holiday honoring workers; no classes early in fall. |
| 🍁 | Fall Break | 13 October 2025 | Short break for rest amid fall semester. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 26 November 2025 | Holiday break starting; time for family and travel. |
| 🍽️ | Thanksgiving Break Ends | 30 November 2025 | Return to classes post-Thanksgiving. |
| ❄️ | Last Day of Fall Classes | 8 December 2025 | End of fall instruction; finals prep. |
| 📊 | Fall Final Exams | 11 December 2025through December 18 | End-of-semester assessments. |
| 🎄 | Winter Break Begins | 19 December 2025 | Start of holiday season break. |
Are you planning on applying to American University next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at American University. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 | Early Decision I Application Deadline | 1 November 2025 | Deadline for binding early applications; ideal for committed applicants. |
| 📩 | Early Action Application Deadline | 15 November 2025 | Non-binding early submission for faster decisions. |
| ✉️ | Early Decision I Notification | 15 December 2025approximate | Decisions released for Early Decision I applicants. |
| 🗓️ | Regular Decision Application Deadline | 15 January 2026 | Standard deadline for fall 2026 entry. |
| 💰 | FAFSA Priority Deadline | 1 February 2026 | Financial aid application priority for maximum aid consideration. |
| 📬 | Regular Decision Notification | 1 April 2026approximate | Admissions decisions sent out. |
| ✅ | Enrollment Deposit Deadline | 1 May 2026 | Deadline to secure spot with deposit. |
| 🔄 | Transfer Application Deadline | 1 March 2026 | For students transferring from other institutions. |
| 🌍 | International Student Deadline | 15 January 2026 | Aligned with regular decision for visa processing time. |
| 🏆 | Scholarship Application Deadline | 1 December 2025 | For merit-based awards consideration. |
| 🗣️ | Admissions Interviews Period Ends | 28 February 2026 | Last chance for optional interviews. |
American University's academic calendar serves as the backbone for the institution's educational rhythm, guiding students, faculty, and staff through a structured year of learning, assessment, and rest. Located in the vibrant city of Washington, District of Columbia, in the United States, this calendar reflects a typical American higher education framework, divided primarily into fall and spring semesters, with an optional summer session. The fall semester generally begins after the summer period, allowing time for orientation and settling in, while the spring semester follows a winter break, providing a fresh start midway through the academic year. This structure has evolved over the university's history, founded in 1893, to accommodate the needs of a diverse student body, including undergraduates, graduates, and professionals pursuing degrees in fields like international relations, law, and business. Compared to other universities, American University's calendar aligns closely with those of East Coast institutions, emphasizing a balance between rigorous academics and personal well-being. For students, it impacts everything from course selection to extracurricular involvement, ensuring they can plan around key periods of intensity like midterms and finals. Faculty use it to align syllabi and research timelines, while staff coordinate administrative tasks. International students particularly benefit from understanding how holidays integrate, such as national observances that might differ from their home countries. Admissions processes are timed to fit this calendar, with prospective students needing to align application deadlines with semester starts. The calendar also considers alignments with holidays, offering breaks that allow for travel and rejuvenation. If you're a student or professor at American University, consider sharing your experiences on Rate My Professor to help others navigate the academic landscape. This resource provides insights into teaching styles and course demands, enhancing planning efforts. Overall, the academic calendar at American University is designed to foster success, blending tradition with flexibility to meet modern educational demands.
Planning classes around American University's semester dates is crucial for academic success. The university operates on a semester system, with fall and spring terms forming the core, supplemented by shorter summer sessions for accelerated learning or catch-up. Students should start by reviewing degree requirements and consulting advisors to map out courses, ensuring prerequisites are met and workloads are balanced. Tools like the university's online portal help in registering for classes, often opening well in advance to secure spots in popular courses. Ratings from Rate My Professor can guide choices, offering peer insights into instructor effectiveness and course rigor. For international students, understanding visa implications and cultural adjustments is key when planning across semesters. Faculty, meanwhile, design syllabi to fit within these periods, incorporating deadlines for assignments and projects. Balancing class schedules with part-time jobs or internships is common, especially in a dynamic city like Washington, where opportunities in government and NGOs abound. Prospective students can explore higher ed jobs related to academic planning. By anticipating the flow of the academic year, everyone can optimize their time, reducing stress and enhancing productivity.
Exam schedules at American University are integrated into the academic calendar to provide structured assessment periods, typically at the midpoint and end of each semester. Preparation involves strategic study habits, such as forming study groups and utilizing campus resources like tutoring centers. Faculty often provide review sessions, and students benefit from past exam insights shared on platforms like Rate My Professor. Time management is essential, with breaks built into the calendar to allow for rest before intense exam weeks. International students might need to adapt to American-style testing, focusing on critical thinking over rote memorization.
Thanksgiving break at American University offers a cherished pause in the fall semester, aligning with the national holiday celebrated in the United States. This break allows students to travel home, reconnect with family, and partake in traditions like feasts and gratitude reflections. Planning tips include booking travel early, especially from Washington, DC, with its busy airports. The university encourages safe travel and provides resources for those staying on campus, such as dining options. This period impacts work schedules for faculty and staff, offering time for professional development or rest. Students often use it to catch up on studies or prepare for upcoming deadlines, blending relaxation with productivity.
Holidays and breaks in American University's calendar provide essential downtime, incorporating U.S.-specific observances like Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and spring break. These periods allow for travel, family coordination, and personal recharge. Spring break, for instance, is ideal for trips or volunteer work, while Thanksgiving emphasizes communal gatherings. International students appreciate how these align with global holidays, facilitating cross-cultural experiences. Planning involves checking for class cancellations and using the time for academic catch-up or exploring Washington, DC's landmarks.
Faculty and staff at American University align work schedules with the academic calendar, managing deadlines for grading, research submissions, and administrative tasks. This ensures smooth operations, with peaks during enrollment and exam periods. Tools for time management help in balancing responsibilities, and opportunities in lecturer jobs highlight the importance of calendar awareness.
Faculty and staff notes in the academic calendar include key meetings, professional development days, and grading periods. Employees are invited to rate their employer on Rate My College. Explore research jobs for career advancement.
Historical calendars at American University reveal patterns, such as consistent semester lengths since its founding. Future calendars maintain these traditions while adapting to modern needs, aiding long-term planning.
Major events like orientation and commencement are highlights. Students are invited to rate professors on Rate My Professor or view results to inform choices.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday | 19 January 2026 | Holiday for civil rights observance; no university activities. |
| 📚 | Spring Semester Classes Begin | 12 January 2026 | Commencement of spring courses. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day Holiday | 16 February 2026 | Federal holiday break. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 9 March 2026 | Week off for students and faculty. |
| 🛫 | Spring Break Ends | 15 March 2026 | Classes resume. |
| 🏁 | Last Day of Spring Classes | 27 April 2026 | Spring term conclusion. |
| 📝 | Spring Final Exams | 30 April 2026through May 7 | Examination week. |
| 🎓 | Commencement Ceremony | 10 May 2026 | Graduation celebrations. |
| ☀️ | Summer Session Starts | 18 May 2026 | Summer classes begin. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day Holiday | 25 May 2026 | Military honor day. |
| 🗽 | Juneteenth Holiday | 19 June 2026 | Emancipation commemoration. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day Holiday | 3 July 2026observed | National holiday. |
| 🍂 | Fall Semester Classes Begin | 24 August 2026 | Fall term start. |
| 👷 | Labor Day Holiday | 7 September 2026 | Workers' holiday. |
| 🍁 | Fall Break | 12 October 2026 | Mid-fall rest period. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 25 November 2026 | Thanksgiving start. |
| 🍽️ | Thanksgiving Break Ends | 29 November 2026 | Post-holiday return. |
| ❄️ | Last Day of Fall Classes | 7 December 2026 | Fall end. |
| 📊 | Fall Final Exams | 10 December 2026through December 17 | Assessments. |
| 🎄 | Winter Break Begins | 18 December 2026 | Holiday break. |
