PRINT DISCLAIMER: Official version of this document is accessible in the online policy library at https://policyoffice.ku.edu/. Printed copies may not reflect the most recent updates.
DOCUMENT TYPE:
Policy
PURPOSE:
The academic calendar establishes the institutional framework for structuring academic terms and instructional periods. These standards ensure consistency in course delivery, academic rigor, and equitable access to learning while maintaining compliance with University standards, Kansas Board of Regents regulations, Higher Learning Commission accreditation requirements, and applicable federal regulations, including federal financial aid requirements.
APPLIES TO:
All academic courses.
CAMPUS:
Lawrence, Edwards, Leavenworth, Juniper Gardens, Parsons, Pittsburg, Salina (KUL), Topeka, Wichita (KUL), Yoder, Medical Center (KUMC), Salina (KUMC), Wichita (KUMC)
DEFINITIONS:
Day 1: The first day of the semester. For module courses, this refers to the first day of the module session.
Stop Day: The day directly following the last day of regularly scheduled classes. All KUL activities must comply with the University Senate Rules and Regulations Article I Section 3.
Instructional Days: Weekends, observed holidays, and university breaks are not considered instructional days. Saturday and Sunday may be considered instructional days if a course is regularly scheduled to meet on those dates.
Observed Holidays: The University observes the following official holidays when it is closed and classes are not in session: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following it, and Christmas Day.
University Breaks: The university closure between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day is considered non-instructional time. Classes are not permitted to be scheduled on university observed breaks or holidays. Additional university closures may be designated by the institution.
Intersession: Courses designed to be offered in a compressed format outside of the traditional semester.
Module: Courses offered in a condensed, accelerated format within a standard semester.
Census Day: The official enrollment reporting date. Census Day occurs on the 20th instructional day of a 16-week semester and on the final instructional day of the summer semester. This date is used for state reporting.
POLICY STATEMENT:
Academic Calendar Governance
The Office of the University Registrar develops the academic calendars and presents them to the Calendar Committee for review. Following committee approval, the academic calendars are forwarded to the University Senate for approval and submission to the Kansas Board of Regents for final approval.
Operational adjustments necessary for compliance or emergency circumstances may be made by the Office of the University Registrar in consultation with university leadership.
Instructional Time and Credit Hour Compliance
All courses, including those offered in modules, intersessions, or approved as an exception to deviate from standard regulations, must meet the instructional time and academic engagement requirements defined in the Credit Hour Definition policy to comply with accreditation standards.
Course Scheduling
The Schedule of Classes includes the dates and times of all courses offered in a semester. Course sections must begin and end within one semester.
Students should not be required to complete coursework prior to the official start of the class or after the final day of the class, including the scheduled final examination period, as listed in the Schedule of Classes, unless the instructor has assigned an appropriate continuing grade per standard grading policies.
Academic Year Structure
Each academic year consists of a minimum of two 16-week semesters with at least 146 instructional days.
Traditional Semester Calendar
Fall Semester
- The Fall semester begins the first Monday following August 17 and consists of 73 instructional days followed by a five-day final examination period.
- Stop Day occurs on the Friday directly preceding the week of final examinations.
- Fall Break 1 occurs Saturday through Tuesday following the eighth Friday of the semester.
- Fall Break 2 occurs the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving Day through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day.
Spring Semester
- The Spring semester begins the Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day and consists of 73 instructional days followed by a five-day final examination period.
- Stop Day occurs on the Friday directly preceding the week of final examinations.
- Spring Break occurs during the ninth week of the semester and includes the preceding and following Saturday and Sunday.
Summer Semester
- The Summer semester begins the first Monday in June and consists of approximately eight weeks and 38 instructional days.
- Final examinations (if required) occur during the final scheduled class meeting.
Intersessions
Intersessions provide condensed opportunities for students to complete coursework between standard semesters.
Fall Intersession
- Fall intersession begins the Monday following the last day of the Summer semester and ends the Friday prior to the first day of the Fall standard semester. The intersession spans approximately three instructional weeks.
- Final examinations (if required) occur during the final scheduled class meeting.
Spring Intersession
- Spring intersession begins the Monday following the last day of Fall semester final examinations and ends the Friday following three instructional weeks.
- Final examinations (if required) occur during the final scheduled class meeting.
- The university closure between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day is considered non-instructional time.
Summer Intersession
- Summer intersession begins the Monday following the last day of the Spring semester and ends the Friday prior to the first day of the Summer standard semester.
- Final examinations (if required) occur during the final scheduled class meeting.
Modules
Modules provide condensed opportunities for students to complete coursework at an accelerated pace within standard semesters. Modules are offered in eight-week and four-week sessions.
- The Office of the University Registrar establishes module session dates.
- Modules follow observed holidays and university breaks as defined by the traditional calendar.
- For module courses, the final exam (if required) occurs during the final scheduled class meeting.
EXCLUSIONS OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Exceptions to Calendar Standards
The Office of the University Registrar accepts exception requests for an educational or pedagogical need to deviate from the calendar standards. Requests must be submitted via email to registrar@ku.edu at least 60 days prior to the start of the semester.
Standing exceptions may be granted when necessary to meet programmatic, accreditation, or partnership requirements.
Examples of permissible exceptions include:
- Student teaching;
- Internships;
- Clinical placements;
- Study abroad;
- Beginning class on the Saturday or Sunday prior to the Monday of the intersession;
- Courses extending from an intersession into the standard semester when the course is considered part of the subsequent semester; or
- Dual credit courses aligned with partner school district calendars.
All approved exceptions must be documented with the Office of the University Registrar.
The following exceptions will not be approved:
- Course sections that overlap multiple semesters
- Lengthening the semester for convenience
The following programs operate under standing approved calendar exceptions:
- The KU Medical Center Doctor of Medicine Program
- Clinical, simulation, and practicum hours for clinical programs at KUMC
- Dual credit courses aligned with partner school district calendars
- Courses delivered at Haskell Indian Nations University and aligned with its academic calendar
CONSEQUENCES:
Courses that do not comply with this policy are subject to cancellation by the Office of the University Registrar.
CONTACT:
Office of the University Registrar
1502 Building
1502 Iowa Street
Lawrence, KS 66045
registrar@ku.edu
785-864-4423
RESPONSIBLE UNIT:
Registrar
APPROVED BY:
Chancellor
APPROVAL DATE:
2026-07-30
EFFECTIVE DATE:
2026-07-30
REVIEW CYCLE:
3 years
RELATED STATUTES, REGULATIONS, AND/OR POLICIES:
Academic Years, Academic Calendars, Payment Periods, and Disbursements
Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) Academic Calendars
RELATED RESOURCES:
Schedule of Classes
CHANGE HISTORY:
07/30/2026: New Policy published in Policy Library.
TITLE:
Academic Calendar Policy