Academic calendar 2026–27
What does a year at A-State look like?
So families can plan flights, holidays and visits home, here is the 2026–27 structure with the milestones the university has published. Exact dates for each term are in the official calendar.
01
Structure of the academic year
| Term | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Mid-August – mid-December | Main intake with the most new students; Thanksgiving break late November; ends with finals week |
| Spring | Mid-January – early May | Second intake; one-week spring break in March; commencement in May |
| Summer | Late May – early August | Two short optional sessions; good for getting ahead, CPT internships or 2–3 months back home |
Periods reflect the university’s usual semester structure. Exact 2026–27 start and end dates, exam weeks and commencement are in the official calendar linked below.
Source: astate.edu — Academic Calendar 2026–27 (PDF) · astate.edu — Academics · Updated Aug 22, 2026
02
Published 2026–27 milestones
Halls open: Aug 15, 2026
New students can move in from this date for Fall 2026. Aim to arrive within 1–3 days afterwards to be in time for orientation week.
Spring break (tentative): Mar 22–26, 2027
A week without classes in the spring term — a popular time for travel within the US or for family visits.
Fall 2026 application deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Plus Spring 2027: Nov 1, 2026 and Summer 2027: Mar 2, 2027 for international undergraduates.
Source: astate.edu — Academic Calendar 2026–27 (PDF) · astate.edu — University Housing · Updated Aug 22, 2026
Lunar New Year
What about Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year usually falls in late January or February — right in the middle of the spring term, and the university does not close for it. Students who observe it celebrate together on campus: cooking, video calls home and cultural events at the Multicultural Center. If your family wants to be together for the holiday, the two realistic options are a trip home during the winter break (mid-December to mid-January, about four weeks) or a family visit during spring break in March.
03
Breaks during the year and tips for families
| Break | When (approx.) | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | Last week of November (2–3 days) | Too short to fly home; students visit Memphis or stay on campus |
| Winter break | Mid-December – mid-January (≈ 4 weeks) | Best time to visit home; book flights from September |
| Spring break | Tentatively Mar 22–26, 2027 | Parent visits, or travel in the US with friends |
| Summer | Early May – mid-August | Go home, take summer classes, or do a CPT internship in the US |
Calendar FAQ
When should I book my flight for Fall 2026?
Halls open on Aug 15, 2026. Plan to land in Memphis around Aug 15–18 so you can move in, complete the health screening and attend orientation before the first day of class. An F-1 visa allows entry up to 30 days before the I-20 start date.
How many weeks is a semester?
Fall and Spring run about 15–16 weeks including finals. Summer consists of short sessions of 5–10 weeks.
Can students go home mid-semester?
Visa-wise yes, but leaving mid-term affects attendance and grades. Use the winter or summer break; for a family emergency, contact the international office for guidance on re-entry documents.
Does the university observe holidays from my home country?
No. The university follows US holidays (Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day and others). Lunar New Year and other national holidays are normal class days.
Can the calendar change?
The university may adjust some dates (spring break is still marked tentative). The official calendar on astate.edu is the final source — this page is updated when changes are announced.
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