Academic Calendar
The Cornell academic year follows a semester system, consisting of a fall and a spring semester, both of which include a final exam week. Each semester must be a minimum of 14 weeks of instruction, yet must combine in fall and spring to a minimum of 30 weeks of instruction. Instructional periods/terms include fall, winter intersession, spring, and summer. In all academic terms, variable-length, short-session courses are available, and meet the same total contact (class) hours as in a standard semester. See the policy on Defining and Assigning Credit Hours for additional information.
The university bylaws define the academic year as the approximately nine-month period beginning two working days before registration in the fall term and ending on the last day of final examinations in the spring term.
The summer period is defined as the period between the last day of one academic year and the first day of the following academic year. Summer courses carry full credit because classes meet the name number of contact hours as in the standard fall or spring semester.
For the current Academic Calendar and other important dates, see Key Academic Dates on the University Registrar's website.
2025-2026 Academic Calendar
Fall 2025
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 25 | Instruction Begins |
| September 1 | Labor Day - No Classes |
| October 11 | Fall Break Begins |
| October 13 | Indigenous Peoples' Day |
| October 15 | Instruction Resumes |
| November 26 | Thanksgiving Break Begins |
| December 1 | Instruction Resumes |
| December 8 | Last Day of Instruction |
| December 9-11 | Study Period |
| December 12-20 | Scheduled Exams |
| December 21 | December Recognition Ceremony |
| December 31 | December Degree Date |
Winter 2025-2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 2 | Winter Session Instruction Begins |
| January 16 | Winter Session Instruction Ends |
| January 19 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day / Holiday / No Classes |
Spring 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 20 | Instruction Begins |
| February 14 | February Break begins |
| February 18 | Instruction Resumes |
| March 28 | Spring Break Begins |
| April 6 | Instruction Resumes |
| May 5 | Last Day of Instruction |
| May 6-8 | Study Period |
| May 9-16 | Scheduled Exams |
| May 22-24 | University Commencement Weekend |
Some programs, including Johnson MBA Programs, Law School, and College of Veterinary Medicine have different academic calendars. Please review the respective program pages for specifics. Calendar dates are subject to change.