Courses of Study 2024-2025 
    
    Dec 09, 2024  
Courses of Study 2024-2025

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 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

DATE

EVENT

August 26

Instruction Begins

September 2

Labor Day - No Classes

October 12

Fall Break Begins

October 14

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

October 16

Instruction Resumes

November 27

Thanksgiving Break Begins

December 2

Instruction Resumes

December 9

Last Day of Instruction

December 10 - 12

Study Period

December 13 - 21

Scheduled Exams

December 22

December Recognition Ceremony

December 31

December Degree Date

Winter 2024-2025

DATE

EVENT

January 2

       Winter Session Instruction Begins

January 17

Winter Session Instruction Ends

January 20

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day /
Holiday / No Classes

Spring 2025

DATE

EVENT

January 21

   Instruction Begins

February 15

   February Break begins

February 19

Instruction Resumes

March 29

Spring Break Begins

April 7

Instruction Resumes

May 6

Last Day of Classes

May 10 - 17

Scheduled Exams

May 23 - 25

University Commencement Weekend

Some programs, including Johnson MBA ProgramsLaw 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.