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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 definition of credit/contact hours on this page 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.
View this year’s academic calendar.
2024-2025 Academic Calendar
Fall 2024
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DATE
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EVENT
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August 26
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Instruction Begins
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September 2
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Labor Day - No Classes
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October 12
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Fall Break Begins
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October 14
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day
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October 16
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Instruction Resumes
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November 27
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Thanksgiving Break Begins
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December 2
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Instruction Resumes
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December 9
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Last Day of Instruction
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December 10 - 12
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Study Period
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December 13 - 21
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Scheduled Exams
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December 22
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December Recognition Ceremony
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December 31
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December Degree Date
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Winter 2024-2025
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DATE
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EVENT
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January 2
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Winter Session Instruction Begins
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January 17
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Winter Session Instruction Ends
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January 20
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day /
Holiday / No Classes
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Spring 2025
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DATE
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EVENT
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January 21
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Instruction Begins
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February 15
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February Break begins
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February 19
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Instruction Resumes
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March 29
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Spring Break Begins
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April 7
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Instruction Resumes
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May 6
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Last Day of Classes
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May 10 - 17
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Scheduled Exams
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May 23 - 25
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University Commencement Weekend
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Some programs, including Johnson MBA Programs, Law School, and College of Veterinary Medicine have different academic calendars. Please review the respective sites for specifics. These calendars subject to change. In addition, please be aware of religious holidays.
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