Application Deadlines
- Fall quarter: July 15
- Winter quarter: October 15
- Spring quarter: January 15
- Summer quarter: April 15
Academic Calendar
Below you will find important dates for graduate programs at SPS. Prospective students should note the application deadlines, and current students can find quarter start dates and registration deadlines on our calendar. For more information on the refund schedule, please see the Refund Schedule at the Student Finance website where you can also utilize the Withdrawal Calculator.
Graduate Quarter Start Dates
2024–25 Academic Year
- Fall quarter: September 24, 2024
- Winter quarter: January 6, 2025
- Spring quarter: March 31, 2025
- Summer quarter: June 23, 2025
- 2025-26 Academic Year
Applications are accepted year round and are reviewed by the faculty admissions committee once per quarter. The exceptions are the full-time Accelerated MA in Public Policy and Administration and Accelerated MS in Data Science programs which review applications in December and January for the following fall quarter program start. Applicants will be notified of their admission status approximately four weeks after the deadline.
2024–25 Academic and Holiday Calendar
Archived academic calendars from previous years can be found here. The academic calendar for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year can be found here.
September 2024 |
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Monday, September 2, 2024 |
Labor Day; Northwestern University closed |
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Tuesday, September 3, 2024 |
Deadline to submit the Registration forms for 499, 579, 580, 589, and 590 and all other special registration requests for Fall Quarter registration by 5pm. Please visit the Canvas course site for your program for guidelines on proposals for independent studies, practicum, and thesis. Deadline to submit the Application for Tuition Remission for MFA courses. |
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Monday, September 23, 2024 |
Students who drop a class after this date will not receive a 100% refund for tuition. |
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Tuesday, September 24, 2024 |
Fall Quarter on-campus and online classes begin. |
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Monday, September 30, 2024 |
End of Fall Quarter registration period in CAESAR. Students may not add a class after this date. |
October 2024 |
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Tuesday, October 15, 2024 |
Application for readmission for Winter Quarter due. Application for admission for Winter Quarter due. |
November 2024 |
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| Friday, November 1, 2024 | Last day to drop a Fall course without academic penalty (withdrawals after this date will result in a “W” grade posted to the transcript) |
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Friday, November 8, 2024 |
Last day to submit a Graduation Application for December graduation |
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Monday, November 11, 2024 |
Registration for Winter Quarter opens in CAESAR. |
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Friday, November 22, 2024 |
Last day to withdraw from a Fall 2024 course with academic penalty (withdrawals will result in a "W" grade posted to the transcript Requests for withdrawal can be initiated until the Friday of the ninth week of the term). |
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Wednesday, November 27, 2024 |
Thanksgiving Break begins at 6PM (No sync sessions for online classes). |
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Thursday, November 28, 2024 |
Thanksgiving Break (No sync sessions for online classes). |
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Friday, November 29, 2024 |
Thanksgiving Break (No sync sessions for online classes). |
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Saturday, November 30, 2024 |
Thanksgiving Break (No sync sessions for online classes). |
December 2024 |
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Sunday, December 1, 2024 |
Thanksgiving Break (No sync sessions for online classes). |
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Friday, December 6, 2024 |
All thesis requirements and approvals due by 5pm for students completing 590 Thesis to receive a degree for Fall 2024. |
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Saturday, December 14. 2024 |
Official end of quarter (does not affect graduate course end dates). |
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Monday, December 16, 2024 |
Fall quarter grades due from instructors before 3pm. Deadline to submit Registration forms for 499, 579, 580, 589, and 590 and all other special registration requests for Winter 2024 registration by 5pm. Please visit the Canvas course site for your program for guidelines on proposals for independent studies, practicum, and thesis. Deadline to submit the Application for Tuition Remission for MFA courses. |
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Friday, December 20, 2024 |
Fall 2024 degrees awarded. |
| Tuesday, December 24, 2024 | Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
| Wednesday, December 24, 2024 | Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
| Thursday, December 26, 2024 | Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
| Friday, December 27, 2024 | Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
| Monday, December 30, 2024 | Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
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Tuesday, December 31, 2024 |
Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
January 2025 |
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Wednesday, January 1, 2025 |
New Year's Day, Northwestern University closed |
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Sunday, January 5, 2025 |
Students who drop a class after this date will not receive a 100% refund for tuition. |
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Monday, January 6, 2025 |
Winter Quarter on-campus and online classes begin. |
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Friday, January 10, 2025 |
End of Winter Quarter registration period in CAESAR. Students may not add a class after this date. |
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Wednesday, January 15, 2025 |
Application for readmission for Spring Quarter due. Application for admission for Spring Quarter due. |
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Monday, January 20, 2025 |
Martin Luther King Jr. Day; no classes (No sync sessions for online classes). |
February 2025 |
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Friday, February 7, 2025 |
Last day to submit a Graduation Application for March graduation |
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Friday, February 14, 2025 |
Last day to drop a Winter course without academic penalty (withdrawals after this date will result in a “W” grade posted to the transcript) |
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Monday, February 24, 2025 |
Registration for Spring Quarter opens in CAESAR. |
March 2025 |
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Friday, March 7, 2025 |
Last day to withdraw from a Winter 2025 course with academic penalty (withdrawals will result in a "W" grade posted to the transcript. Requests for withdrawal can be initiated until the Friday of the ninth week of the term). |
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Friday, March 14, 2025 |
All thesis requirements and approvals due by 5pm for students completing 590 Thesis to receive a Winter 2025 degree. |
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Monday, March 17, 2025 |
Deadline to submit Registration forms for 499, 579, 580, 589, and 590 and all other special registration requests for Spring Quarter registration by 5pm. Please visit the Canvas course site for your program for guidelines on proposals for independent studies, practicum, and thesis. Deadline to submit the Application for Tuition Remission for MFA courses. |
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Friday, March 21, 2025 |
Last day to submit a Graduation Application for June graduation. |
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Saturday, March 22, 2025 |
Official end of quarter (does not affect graduate course end dates) |
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Monday, March 24, 2025 |
Winter Quarter grades due from instructors before 3pm. |
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Friday, March 28, 2025 |
Winter 2025 degrees awarded. |
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Sunday, March 30, 2025 |
Students who drop a class after this date will not receive a 100% refund for tuition. |
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Monday, March 31, 2025 |
Spring Quarter SPS on-ground and online classes begin |
April 2025 |
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Friday, April 4, 2025 |
End of Spring Quarter registration period in CAESAR. Students may not add a class after this date. |
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Monday, April 7, 2025 |
Registration for Summer Quarter begins. |
| Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
Application for program transfer for Summer Quarter due. Application for readmission for Summer Quarter due. Application for admission for Summer Quarter due. |
May 2025 |
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Friday, May 9, 2025 |
Last day to drop a spring course without academic penalty (withdrawals after this date will result in a “W” grade posted to the transcript). |
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Monday, May 26, 2025 |
Memorial Day; Northwestern University closes (No sync sessions for online classes). |
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Friday, May 30, 2025 |
Last day to withdraw from a Spring 2025 course with academic penalty (withdrawals will result in a "W" grade posted to the transcript. Requests for withdrawal can be initiated until the Friday of the ninth week of the term). |
June 2025 |
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Monday, June 9, 2025 |
All thesis requirements and approvals must be complete for students completing 590 Thesis to receive a Spring 2025 degree. Deadline to submit the Registration forms for 499, 579, 580, 589, 590 and all other special registration requests for Summer Quarter by 5pm. Please visit the Canvas course site for your program for guidelines on proposals for independent studies, practicum, and thesis. Deadline to submit the Application for Tuition Remission for MFA courses. |
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Saturday, June 14. 2025 |
School of Professional Studies Convocation Ceremony Official end of quarter. |
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Sunday, June 15, 2025 |
Commencement for all Northwestern graduates |
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Tuesday, June 17, 2025 |
Spring Quarter grades due from instructors before 3pm. |
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Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
Juneteenth; Northwestern University closed. |
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Friday, June 20, 2025 |
Spring 2025 degrees awarded. |
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Sunday, June 22, 2025 |
Students who drop a Summer class after this date will not receive a 100% refund for tuition. |
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Monday, June 23, 2025 |
Summer Quarter on-campus and online classes begin. |
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Friday, June 27, 2025 |
End of Summer Quarter registration period in CAESAR. Students may not add a class after this date. |
July 2025 |
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Friday, July 4, 2025 |
Independence Day; Northwestern University closed (no sync sessions for online classes). |
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Monday, July 7, 2025 |
Registration for Fall 2025 quarter opens in CAESAR. |
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Tuesday, July 15, 2025 |
Application for program transfer for Fall Quarter due. Application for readmission for Fall Quarter due. Application for admission for Fall Quarter due. |
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Friday, July 18, 2025 |
Last day to submit a Graduation Application for August graduation |
August 2025 |
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Friday, August 1, 2025 |
Last day to drop a summer course without academic penalty (withdrawals after this date will result in a “W” grade posted to the transcript). |
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Friday, August 15, 2025 |
All thesis requirements and approvals due by 5pm for students completing 590 Thesis to receive a Summer 2025 degree. |
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Friday, August 22, 2025 |
Last day to withdraw from a Summer 2025 course with academic penalty (withdrawals will result in a "W" grade posted to the transcript. Requests for withdrawal can be initiated until the Friday of the ninth week of the term). |
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Saturday, August 30, 2025 |
Last day of Summer Quarter for on-campus classes and online classes.
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September 2025 |
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Tuesday, September 2, 2025 |
Summer quarter grades due from instructors before 3pm. |
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Friday, September 5, 2025 |
Summer 2025 degrees awarded. |
2025–26 Academic and Holiday Calendar
The current 2024-25 academic calendars can be found here.
September 2025 |
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Monday, September 1, 2025 |
Labor Day; Northwestern University closed |
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Tuesday, September 2, 2025 |
Deadline to submit the registration forms for 499, 579, 580, 589 and 590, and all other special registration requests for Fall Quarter registration. Deadline is 5:00 PM CT. Please visit the Canvas course site for your program to view guidelines and proposal for independent studies, practicum, and thesis. Deadline to submit Application for Tuition Remission for MFA courses. |
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Monday, September 15, 2025 |
Students who drop a class after this date will not receive a 100% refund for tuition. |
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Tuesday, September 16, 2025 |
Fall Quarter on-campus and online classes begin. |
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Monday, September 22, 2025 |
End of Fall Quarter registration period in CAESAR. Students may not add a class after this date. |
October 2025 |
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Wednesday, October 15, 2025 |
Application for readmission for Winter Quarter due. Application for admission for Winter Quarter due. |
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Friday, October 17, 2025 |
Last day to submit a Graduation Application for December graduation. |
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Friday, October 24, 2025 |
Last day to drop a Fall course without academic penalty (withdrawals after this date will result in a “W” grade posted to the transcript). |
November 2025 |
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Monday, November 10, 2025 |
Registration for Winter Quarter opens in CAESAR. |
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Friday, November 14, 2025 |
Last day to withdraw from a Fall 2025 course with academic penalty (withdrawals will result in a "W" grade posted to the transcript Requests for withdrawal can be initiated until the Friday of the ninth week of the term). |
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Monday, November 24, 2025 |
Thanksgiving Break begins at 6PM (no sync sessions for online classes). |
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Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
Thanksgiving Break (no sync sessions for online classes). |
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Wednesday, November 26, 2025 |
Thanksgiving Break (no sync sessions for online classes). |
| Thursday, November 27, 2025 | Thanksgiving Break (no sync sessions for online classes). |
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Friday, November 28, 2025 |
Thanksgiving Break (no sync sessions for online classes). |
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Saturday, November 29, 2025 |
Thanksgiving Break (no sync sessions for online classes). |
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Sunday, November 30, 2025 |
Thanksgiving Break (No sync sessions for online classes). |
December 2025 |
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Friday, December 5, 2025 |
All thesis requirements and approvals due for students completing 590 Thesis to receive a degree for Fall 2025. Deadline is 5:00 p.m. CT. |
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Saturday, December 13, 2025 |
Official end of quarter (does not affect graduate course end dates). |
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Monday, December 15, 2025 |
Fall quarter grades due from instructors before 3:00 p.m. CT. Deadline to submit Registration forms for 499, 579, 580, 589 and 590, and all other special registration requests for Winter 2026 registration. Deadline is 5:00 p.m. CT. Please visit the Canvas course site for your program for guidelines on proposals for independent studies, practicum, and thesis. Deadline to submit the Application for Tuition Remission for MFA courses. |
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Friday, December 19, 2025 |
December 2025 degrees awarded. |
| Wednesday, December 24, 2025 | Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
| Thursday, December 25, 2025 | Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
| Friday, December 26, 2025 | Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
| Monday, December 29, 2025 | Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
| Tuesday, December 30, 2025 | Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
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Wednesday, December 31, 2025 |
Winter Recess, Northwestern University closed |
January 2026 |
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Thursday, January 1, 2026 |
New Year's Day, Northwestern University closed |
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Sunday, January 4, 2026 |
Students who drop a class after this date will not receive a 100% refund for tuition. |
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Monday, January 5, 2026 |
Winter Quarter on-campus and online classes begin. |
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Friday, January 9, 2026 |
End of Winter Quarter registration period in CAESAR. Students may not add a class after this date. |
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Thursday, January 15, 2026 |
Application for readmission for Spring Quarter due. Application for admission for Spring Quarter due. |
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Monday, January 19, 2026 |
Martin Luther King Jr. Day; no classes (No sync sessions for online classes). |
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Friday, January 23, 2026 |
Last day to submit a Graduation Application for March graduation |
February 2026 |
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Friday, February 13, 2026 |
Last day to submit a Graduation Application for June graduation. Last day to drop a Winter course without academic penalty (withdrawals after this date will result in a “W” grade posted to the transcript). |
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Monday, February 23, 2026 |
Registration for Spring Quarter opens in CAESAR. |
March 2026 |
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Friday, March 6. 2026 |
Last day to withdraw from a Winter 2026 course with academic penalty (withdrawals will result in a "W" grade posted to the transcript. Requests for withdrawal can be initiated until the Friday of the ninth week of the term). |
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Friday, March 13, 2026 |
All thesis requirements and approvals due for students completing 590 Thesis to receive a Winter 2026 degree. Deadline is 5:00 p.m. CT. |
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Monday, March 16, 2026 |
Deadline to submit Registration forms for 499, 579, 580, 589 and 590, and all other special registration requests for Spring Quarter registration. Deadline is 5:00 p.m. CT. Please visit the Canvas course site for your program for guidelines on proposals for independent studies, practicum, and thesis. Deadline to submit the Application for Tuition Remission for MFA courses. |
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Saturday, March 21, 2026 |
Official end of quarter (does not affect graduate course end dates) |
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Monday, March 23, 2026 |
Winter Quarter grades due from instructors before 3:00 p.m. CT. |
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Friday, March 27, 2026 |
March 2026 degrees awarded. |
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Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
Students who drop a class after this date will not receive a 100% refund for tuition. |
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Monday, March 30, 2026 |
Spring Quarter SPS on-ground and online classes begin |
April 2026 |
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Friday, April 3, 2026 |
End of Spring Quarter registration period in CAESAR. Students may not add a class after this date. |
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Monday, April 6, 2026 |
Registration for Summer Quarter begins. |
| Wednesday, April 15, 2026 |
Application for program transfer for Summer Quarter due. Application for readmission for Summer Quarter due. Application for admission for Summer Quarter due. |
May 2026 |
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Friday, May 8, 2026 |
Last day to drop a spring course without academic penalty (withdrawals after this date will result in a “W” grade posted to the transcript). |
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Monday, May 25, 2026 |
Memorial Day; Northwestern University closes (no sync sessions for online classes). |
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Friday, May 29, 2026 |
Last day to withdraw from a Spring 2026 course with academic penalty (withdrawals will result in a "W" grade posted to the transcript. Requests for withdrawal can be initiated until the Friday of the ninth week of the term). |
June 2026 |
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Monday, June 8, 2026 |
All thesis requirements and approvals must be complete for students completing 590 Thesis to receive a Spring 2026 degree. Deadline to submit the Registration forms for 499, 579, 580, 589 and 590, and all other special registration requests for Summer Quarter. Deadline is 5:00 p.m. CT. Please visit the Canvas course site for your program for guidelines on proposals for independent studies, practicum, and thesis. Deadline to submit the Application for Tuition Remission for MFA courses. |
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Friday, June 12, 2026 |
Official end of quarter. |
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Saturday, June 13, 2026 |
School of Professional Studies Convocation Ceremony. |
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Sunday, June 14, 2026 |
Commencement for all Northwestern graduates |
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Tuesday, June 16, 2026 |
Spring Quarter grades due from instructors before 3:00 p.m. CT. |
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Friday, June 19, 2026 |
Juneteenth; Northwestern University closed. |
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Sunday, June 21, 2026 |
Students who drop a Summer class after this date will not receive a 100% refund for tuition. |
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Monday, June 22, 2026 |
June 2026 degrees awarded. Summer Quarter on-campus and online classes begin (may be subject to change). |
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Friday, June 26, 2026 |
End of Summer Quarter registration period in CAESAR. Students may not add a class after this date. |
July 2026 |
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Saturday, July 4, 2026 |
Independence Day; Northwestern University closed (no sync sessions for online classes). |
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Monday, July 6, 2026 |
Registration for Fall 2026 quarter opens in CAESAR. |
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Friday, July 10, 2026 |
Last day to submit a Graduation Application for August graduation |
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Wednesday, July 15, 2026 |
Application for program transfer for Fall Quarter due. Application for readmission for Fall Quarter due. Application for admission for Fall Quarter due. |
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Friday, July 31, 2026 |
Last day to drop a summer course without academic penalty (withdrawals after this date will result in a “W” grade posted to the transcript). |
August 2026 |
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Friday, August 14, 2026 |
All thesis requirements and approvals due for students completing 590 Thesis to receive a Summer 2026 degree. Deadline is 5:00 p.m. CT. |
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Friday, August 21, 2026 |
Last day to withdraw from a Summer 2026 course with academic penalty (withdrawals will result in a "W" grade posted to the transcript. Requests for withdrawal can be initiated until the Friday of the ninth week of the term). |
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TBD |
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September 2026 |
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Saturday, September 5, 2026 |
Last day of Summer Quarter for on-campus classes and online classes. |
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Monday, September 7, 2026 |
Summer quarter grades due from instructors before 3pm. |
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Friday, September 11, 2026 |
August 2026 degrees awarded. |