Chapman Academic Calendar

Chapman University, located in Orange, California, operates on a semester-based academic calendar with two main terms—Fall and Spring—along with optional shorter sessions such as Winter Intersession and Summer terms. The Fall semester typically begins in late August or early September and concludes in mid-December, while the Spring semester generally starts in late January and ends in mid-May. A unique feature of Chapman’s calendar is the Winter Intersession, a brief intensive term in January that allows students to take focused courses or catch up on credits before the Spring semester begins. This structure provides flexibility for students to customize their academic schedules and engage in internships or travel during extended breaks.

• Fall Semester Start: Late August 2025 (typically around August 25–30), marking the beginning of the academic year with orientation for new students.
• Thanksgiving Break: November 26–30, 2025, aligning with the national holiday for a short campus closure.
• Fall Finals Week: Mid-December 2025 (approximately December 10–15), concluding the semester with exams.
• Winter Intersession: Early to mid-January 2026 (around January 5–20), an optional term for intensive coursework.
• Spring Semester Start: Late January 2026 (typically January 25–30), following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
• Spring Break: Mid-March 2026 (approximately March 15–22), offering a week-long break for students.
• Commencement: Mid-May 2026 (around May 15–20), celebrating graduation for completing students.

• Early Action Deadline: November 1, 2025, for prospective students seeking early consideration with notification typically by mid-December.
• Regular Decision Deadline: January 15, 2026, the standard application cutoff with decisions generally released by late March or early April.
• Priority Financial Aid Deadline: February 15, 2026, recommended for students applying for need-based aid to ensure timely processing.
• Enrollment Deposit Deadline: May 1, 2026, the national deadline for admitted students to confirm their intent to enroll.
• International Student Application Deadline: January 15, 2026, aligning with Regular Decision but with additional visa processing considerations.

Chapman University’s academic calendar aligns closely with national norms for semester-based institutions in the United States, particularly in its observance of major holidays like Thanksgiving and spring breaks that coincide with typical K-12 schedules in California. The inclusion of the Winter Intersession offers notable flexibility, especially for international students who may use this period to accelerate their studies or return home during longer breaks. Additionally, the university’s scheduling considers the needs of its diverse student body, providing ample time for research, internships, and creative projects, particularly in fields like film and media for which Chapman is well-known. While specific dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle are estimates based on historical patterns, they reflect standard practices for private universities in the region.