Dates & Deadlines
DATES
DATES
AND DEADLINES
Mark Your Calendars
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
Jump To Section:
GSEHD Academic Calendar
- Fall 2023
- *Please note: Additional dates/deadlines will be added as the calendar is finalized.
First Day of Classes August 24 Dissertation Defenses (First Day) August 24 Ed Leadership & Admin Session 1* August 28 - October 22 Labor Day (No Classes) September 4 Last day to drop a course on GWeb September 24 Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due October 1 Fall Break (No Classes) October 12-13 FA '23 Doctoral Graduates: Dissertation Defense Materials Due for FA '23 Graduate Eligibility October 18 Ed Leadership & Admin Session 2* October 23 FA '23 Graduates: Graduation Applications Due November 15 FA '23 Doctoral Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations November 17 Thanksgiving Break (No Classes) November 20-25 Master's Comprehensive Exams November 29-30 Doctoral Comprehensive Exams December 1 FA '23 Doctoral Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (Final Dissertation Submitted to GW Library) December 8 Last Day of Classes December 11 Make-Up Day** December 12 SP '24 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the fall semester December 15 Dissertation Defense Materials Due for SP '24 Defense while Enrolled in CE December 15 Fall Degree Conferral January 5, 2024 *For more information, please contact Marcia Brightman at mbright@gwu.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.
- Spring 2024
- *Please note: Additional dates/deadlines will be added as the calendar is finalized.
Spring Course Registration November 9-January 15 Ed Leadership & Admin Session 1* January 9-March 3 First Day of Classes January 16 Dissertation Defenses (First Day) January 16 Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due February 1 Last day to drop a course on GWeb February 11 SP '24 Doctoral Graduates: Dissertation Defense Materials Due for SP '24 Graduate Eligibility February 14 President's Day (No Classes) February 19 Ed Leadership & Admin Session 2* March 4-April 28 Spring Break (No Classes) March 11-16 SP '24 Doctoral Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations March 15 SP '24 Graduates: Graduation Applications Due March 18 SP '24 Doctoral Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (Final Dissertation Submitted to GW Library) April 10 Last Day of Classes April 29 Make-Up Day** April 30 SU '24 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the spring semester May 1 Dissertation Defense Materials Due for SU '24 Defense while Enrolled in CE May 1 GSEHD Commencement Celebration May 18 Spring Degree Conferral May 19 *For more information, please contact Marcia Brightman at mbright@gwu.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 2024
- *Please note: Additional dates/deadlines will be added as the calendar is finalized.
Summer Course Registration Dates TBA Ed Leadership & Admin Session 1* Date TBA First Day of Classes: Session I (6-week courses) and Full-Term May 20 Dissertation Defenses (First Day) May 20 Memorial Day (No Classes) May 27 Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due June 1 Juneteenth (No Classes) June 19 SU '24 Doctoral Graduates: Dissertation Defense Materials Due for SU '24 Graduate Eligibility June 19 Last day to drop a course on GWeb Date TBA Last Day of Session I (6-week courses) June 29 First Day of Classes: Session II (6-week courses) July 1 Ed Leadership & Admin Session 2* Date TBA Independence Day (No Classes) July 4 SU '24 Graduates: Graduation Applications Due Date TBA SU '24 Doctoral Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations July 19 Last Day of Session II (6-week courses) August 10 SU '24 Doctoral Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (Final Dissertation Submitted to GW Library) August 15 FA '24 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the summer semester August 15 Dissertation Defense Materials Due for FA '24 Defense while Enrolled in CE August 15 Last Day of Classes: Full-Term August 17 Summer Degree Conferral August 31 *For more information, please contact Marcia Brightman at mbright@gwu.edu.
Appeals Committee Meetings
- Master's Appeals Committee (MAC)
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- Fall 2023
- October 3
- November 7
- December 5
- Spring 2024
- January 16
- February 13
- March 19
- April 16
- May 7
(Note: in order for your appeal to be heard by MAC, it must be submitted to your Student Services Representative two weeks prior to the Committee meeting. For instructions on formulating an appeal, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.)
- Fall 2023
- Post-Master's Appeals Committee (PMAC)
-
- November 15, 2023
- February 7, 2024
- (Additional dates to follow)
(Note: in order for your appeal to be heard by PMAC, it must be submitted to docgsehd@gwu.edu two weeks prior to the Committee meeting. For instructions on formulating an appeal, please review the Doctoral Student Handbook.)
Key Dissertation Dates
- Fall 2023
-
August 24 First Day to Defend Dissertation October 18 FA '23 Graduates: Last day to turn in Dissertation Defense Materials to Dean's Office November 17 FA '23 Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations December 8 FA '23 Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (submission of final dissertation to GW library) December 15 SP '24 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the fall semester December 15 Last day to submit dissertation materials to defend in SP '24 while enrolled in CE (free, zero credit option) - Spring 2024
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January 16 First Day to Defend Dissertation February 14 SP '24 Graduates: Last day to turn in Dissertation Defense Materials to Dean's Office March 15 SP '24 Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations April 10 SP '24 Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (submission of final dissertation to GW library) May 1 SU '24 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the spring semester May 1 Last day to submit dissertation materials to defend in SU '24 while enrolled in CE (free, zero credit option) - Summer 2024
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May 20 First Day to Defend Dissertation June 19 SU '24 Graduates: Last day to turn in Dissertation Defense Materials to Dean's Office July 19 SU '24 Graduates: Last Day to Defend Dissertations August 15 SU '24 Graduates: ProQuest Deadline (submission of final dissertation to GW library) August 15 FA '24 Graduates: Last day to hold a defense during the summer semester August 15 Last day to submit dissertation materials to defend in FA '24 while enrolled in CE (free, zero credit option)
Comprehensive Exam Schedule
- Fall 2023
-
October 1 Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due November 29-30 Master's Comprehensive Exams (Online) December 1 Doctoral Comprehensive Exams (Online) January 1 PRAXIS Deadline for FA '23 Grads - Spring 2024
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February 1 Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due TBD Master's Comprehensive Exams TBD On-campus Doctoral Comprehensive Exams May 1 PRAXIS Deadline for SP '24 Grads - Summer 2024
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June 1 Applications for Comprehensive Exams Due TBD Master's Comprehensive Exams TBD On-campus Doctoral Comprehensive Exams August 1 PRAXIS Deadline for SU '24 Grads
Graduation Dates & Deadlines
- Fall 2023 Graduates
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November 15 Applications for FA '23 Graduation Due January 5, 2024 Fall Degree Conferral - Spring 2024 Graduates
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March 18, 2024 Applications for SP '24 Graduation Due May 18, 2024 GSEHD School Celebration May 19, 2024 GW Commencement on the National Mall