Dates & Deadlines

Review the dates below for key academic dates, including dissertation and commencement deadlines, exam schedules and more. Dates may be subject to change.

For other important dates during the semester, not included in the calendars below, refer to the:

• Schedule of Classes to see when classes are offered
• Course Registration Deadlines
• GW Events Calendar and GSEHD Event Calendar to learn about upcoming events and activities
• University-Wide Academic Calendar for a comprehensive list of dates

  GSEHD Academic Calendar

Spring 2025

*Please note: Additional dates/deadlines will be added as the calendar is finalized.

Spring Course Registration	November 7-January 12
Ed Leadership & Admin Session 1*	January 6 - March 2
First Day of Classes	January 13
Dissertation Defenses (First Day)	January 13
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day / Inauguration Day (No Classes)	January 20
Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due	February 1
Last day to drop a course on GWeb	February 9
SP '25 Doctoral Graduates: Dissertation Defense Materials Due for SP '25 Graduate Eligibility	February 19
President's Day (No Classes)	February 17
Ed Leadership & Admin Session 2*	March 3 - April 27
Spring Break (No Classes)	March 10-15
SP '25 Graduates: Graduation Applications Due	March 14
SP '25 Doctoral Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations	March 19
SP '25 Doctoral Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (Final Dissertation Submitted to GW Library)	April 9, 5 pm
Last Day of Classes	April 28
Make-Up Day**	April 29
SU '25 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the spring semester	May 1
Dissertation Defense Materials Due for SU '25 Defense while Enrolled in CE	May 1
GSEHD Commencement Celebration	May 17
Spring Degree Conferral + Commencement	May 18

*For more information, please contact Marcia Brightman at mbrightgwu [dot] edu (mbright[at]gwu[dot]edu).

**Make-Up Day: This day is held to allow the university and/or an individual faculty member to offer a make-up class for any unanticipated class cancelations or disruptions related to weather, emergencies, or a change to the class schedule. The Provost Office and/or the instructor will provide an update prior to March 30.

 

Summer 2025

*Please note: Additional dates/deadlines will be added as the calendar is finalized.

Summer Course Registration Opens	Session 1: March 15-May 19 Session 2: March 15-June 30
Ed Leadership & Admin Session 1*	April 28 - June 21
First Day of Classes: Session I (6-week courses) and Full-Term	May 19
Dissertation Defenses (First Day)	May 19
Memorial Day (No Classes)	May 26
Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due	June 1
SU '25 Doctoral Graduates: Dissertation Defense Materials Due for SU '25 Graduate Eligibility	June 18
Juneteenth (No Classes)	June 19
Last day to drop a course on GWeb	Session 1: June 16 Session 2: July 28
Ed Leadership & Admin Session 2*	June 23 - August 16
Last Day of Session I (6-week courses)	June 28
First Day of Classes: Session II (6-week courses)	June 30
Independence Day (No Classes)	July 4
SU '25 Graduates: Graduation Applications Due	Date TBA
SU '25 Doctoral Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations	July 18
Last Day of Session II (6-week courses)	August 9
SU '25 Doctoral Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (Final Dissertation Submitted to GW Library)	August 15, 5 pm
FA '25 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the summer semester	August 15
Dissertation Defense Materials Due for FA '25 Defense while Enrolled in CE	August 15
Last Day of Classes: Full-Term	August 16
Summer Degree Conferral	August 31

EdD in Higher Education Administration Students: See Detailed Cohort Weekend Calendar >

*For more information, please contact Marcia Brightman at mbrightgwu [dot] edu (mbright[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Fall 2025

*Please note: Additional dates/deadlines will be added as the calendar is finalized.

Fall Course Registration	TBD
In-Person New Student Orientation	August 22
First Day of Classes	August 25
Dissertation Defenses (First Day)	August 25
Ed Leadership & Admin Session 1*	TBD
Labor Day (No Classes)	September 1
Last day to drop a course on GWeb	TBD
Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due	October 1
Fall Break (No Classes)	October 9-10
Ed Leadership & Admin Session 2*	TBD
FA '25 Doctoral Graduates: Dissertation Defense Materials Due for FA '25 Graduate Eligibility	TBD
FA '25 Graduates: Graduation Applications Due	TBD
FA '25 Doctoral Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations	TBD
Thanksgiving Break (No Classes)	November 24-29
Last Day of Classes	December 8
Make-Up Day**	December 11
FA '25 Doctoral Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (Final Dissertation Submitted to GW Library)	TBD
SP '26 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the fall semester	TBD
Dissertation Defense Materials Due for SP '26 Defense while Enrolled in CE	TBD
Fall Degree Conferral	January 9, 2026

EdD in Human and Organizational Learning Students: See Detailed Residency/Synchronous Saturday Calendar >

EdD in Higher Education Administration Students: See Detailed Cohort Weekend Calendar >

*ELA Students: For more information, please contact Marcia Brightman at mbrightgwu [dot] edu (mbright[at]gwu[dot]edu).

**Make-Up Day: This day is held to allow the university and/or an individual faculty member to offer a make-up class for any unanticipated class cancelations or disruptions related to weather, emergencies, or a change to the class schedule. The Provost Office and/or the instructor will provide an update prior to Thanksgiving break.

  Appeals Committee Meetings

Master's Appeals Committee (MAC)

• All meetings will be held Tuesdays, 12-2pm – ONLINE
  • January 21, 2025
  • February 18, 2025
  • March 18, 2025
  • April 15, 2025
  • May 6, 2025

(Note: in order for your appeal to be heard by MAC, it must be submitted to your Student Success Representative two weeks prior to the Committee meeting. For instructions on formulating an appeal, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.)

Post-Master's Appeals Committee (PMAC)

• February 5, 10am-12pm
• April 16, 10am-12pm

(Note: in order for your appeal to be heard by PMAC, it must be submitted to docgsehdgwu [dot] edu (docgsehd[at]gwu[dot]edu) two weeks prior to the Committee meeting. For instructions on formulating an appeal, please review the Doctoral Student Handbook.)

  Key Dissertation Dates

Spring 2025

January 13	First Day to Defend Dissertation
February 19	SP '25 Graduates: Last day to turn in Dissertation Defense Materials to Dean's Office
March 19	SP '25 Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations
April 9 at 5 pm	SP '25 Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (submission of final dissertation to GW library)
May 1	SU '25 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the spring semester
May 1	Last day to submit dissertation materials to defend in SU '25 while enrolled in CE (free, zero credit option)

View Full Deadlines/Instructions for Dissertation

Summer 2025

May 19	First Day to Defend Dissertation
June 18	SU '25 Graduates: Last day to turn in Dissertation Defense Materials to Dean's Office
July 18	SU '25 Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations
August 15, 5 pm	SU '25 Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (submission of final dissertation to GW library)
August 15	FA '25 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the summer semester
August 15	Last day to submit dissertation materials to defend in FA '25 while enrolled in CE (free, zero credit option)

View Full Deadlines/Instructions for Dissertation

Fall 2025

August 25	First Day to Defend Dissertation
TBD	FA '25 Graduates: Last day to turn in Dissertation Defense Materials to Dean's Office
TBD	FA '25 Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations
TBD	FA '25 Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (submission of final dissertation to GW library)
TBD	SP '26 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the fall semester
TBD	Last day to submit dissertation materials to defend in SP '26 while enrolled in CE (free, zero credit option)

View Full Deadlines/Instructions for Dissertation

  Comprehensive Exam Schedule

Learn more about comprehensive exams: Master's/EdS/Certificate Students   |   Doctoral Students

Spring 2025

February 1	Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due
May 1	PRAXIS Deadline for SP '25 Grads

Summer 2025

June 1	Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due
August 1	PRAXIS Deadline for SU '25 Grads

Fall 2025

October 1	Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due
January 1	PRAXIS Deadline for FA '25 Grads

  Graduation Dates & Deadlines

Spring 2025 Graduates

March 14	Applications for SP '25 Graduation Due
May 17	GSEHD School Celebration
May 18	GW Commencement on the National Mall

Summer 2025 Graduates

Date TBA	Applications for SU '25 Graduation Due
August 31	Summer Degree Conferral

Fall 2025 Graduates

TBD	Applications for FA '25 Graduation Due
January 9, 2026	Fall Degree Conferral