Johns Hopkins University, located in Baltimore, Maryland, operates on a traditional semester-based academic calendar. The university typically divides its academic year into two main semesters—Fall and Spring—with an optional Summer term for additional coursework or research opportunities. The Fall semester generally begins in late August or early September and concludes in mid-December, while the Spring semester starts in late January and ends in mid-May. A notable feature of Johns Hopkins’ calendar is the inclusion of a short Intersession in January, allowing students to engage in intensive courses, internships, or independent projects during the winter break. This structure provides flexibility for students to accelerate their studies or explore specialized topics outside the regular semester framework.
The academic calendar at Johns Hopkins University aligns closely with national norms for semester-based systems, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region, with breaks corresponding to major U.S. holidays like Thanksgiving and spring recesses. The January Intersession offers unique flexibility, especially for international students who may use this period for travel, research, or additional coursework without extending their stay beyond standard semester dates. Additionally, the university’s scheduling accommodates its research-intensive environment, providing ample time during breaks for students and faculty to engage in groundbreaking projects or internships, a hallmark of the Johns Hopkins experience.
