Miami University, located in Oxford, Ohio, operates on a traditional semester-based academic calendar, which includes fall and spring semesters, along with optional summer and winter terms. The fall semester typically begins in late August and concludes in mid-December, while the spring semester starts in mid-January and ends in early May. A unique feature of Miami University’s calendar is its Winter Term, a short, intensive session in January that allows students to focus on a single course or project. This structure provides flexibility for accelerated learning or catching up on credits, alongside extended breaks for holidays and summer exploration.
- Fall Semester Start: August 25, 2025 (estimated based on historical data), marking the beginning of the academic year with orientation for new students.
- Labor Day Holiday: September 1, 2025, with campus closure and no classes.
- Thanksgiving Break: November 26–30, 2025 (estimated), providing a week-long hiatus for students and faculty.
- Fall Final Exams: December 8–12, 2025 (estimated), concluding the fall semester.
- Winter Term: January 5–23, 2026 (estimated), a focused three-week session for intensive study.
- Spring Semester Start: January 26, 2026 (estimated), following the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
- Spring Break: March 16–20, 2026 (estimated), a mid-semester break for relaxation or travel.
- Commencement: May 16, 2026 (estimated), celebrating graduating students with ceremonies.
- Early Decision Deadline: November 15, 2024 (estimated), for binding applications with notification by mid-December 2024.
- Early Action Deadline: December 1, 2024 (estimated), a non-binding option with decisions released by late January 2025.
- Regular Decision Deadline: February 1, 2025 (estimated), for standard applications with notifications by late March 2025.
- Financial Aid Priority Deadline: February 15, 2025 (estimated), to ensure consideration for scholarships and grants.
- Enrollment Deposit Deadline: May 1, 2025 (estimated), to secure a spot for the incoming Class of 2030.
The academic calendar at Miami University aligns closely with national norms for semester-based systems, particularly in the Midwest, where fall and spring breaks often coincide with regional weather patterns and holidays like Thanksgiving and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The inclusion of a Winter Term offers notable flexibility, especially for international students who may use this period to complete coursework without extending their stay over the summer. Additionally, the university’s scheduling considers significant public holidays, ensuring students have adequate downtime, while maintaining a rigorous academic pace suitable for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
