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
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 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 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 30Ed 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 28Ed 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 28 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 mbright@gwu.edu.
- Fall 2025
*Please note: Additional dates/deadlines will be added as the calendar is finalized.
Fall Course Registration TBD 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 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.
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.)
- All meetings will be held Tuesdays, 12-2pm – ONLINE
- 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 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
- 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) - 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) - 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)
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