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

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)

• 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.)

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)

View Full Deadlines/Instructions for Dissertation      

Spring 2024

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)

View Full Deadlines/Instructions for Dissertation      

Summer 2024

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)

View Full Deadlines/Instructions for Dissertation      

  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

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

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

November 15	Applications for FA '23 Graduation Due
January 5, 2024	Fall Degree Conferral

Spring 2024 Graduates

March 18, 2024	Applications for SP '24 Graduation Due
May 18, 2024	GSEHD School Celebration
May 19, 2024	GW Commencement on the National Mall