USC Academic Schedule 2026: Official Calendar, Registration Deadlines, And Key Dates

This guide provides comprehensive operational details for the University of Southern California (USC) academic schedule for the 2026 calendar year, including the Spring, Summer, and Fall terms. Students seeking dates for the University of South Carolina should reference the official Gamecock Registrar portal for institution-specific timelines.

Navigating the University of Southern California's academic calendar requires precise attention to registration windows, add/drop cutoffs, grade-option adjustments, and exam periods. Operating on a semester-based system across its University Park and Health Sciences campuses, USC maintains strict institutional timelines that impact academic standing, financial obligations, and degree progress. This guide breaks down every key milestone for the 2026 academic year, outlining procedural requirements, policy mechanics, and actionable scheduling strategies.

Key Milestones for the Spring 2026 Semester at USC

The Spring 2026 semester begins in mid-January, following the winter administrative recess. Students must finalize their course schedules during the initial registration adjustment window to ensure full compliance with financial aid disbursal and degree progress mandates.

• Semester Start Date: Classes officially convene on Monday, January 12, 2026.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (University Holiday): Monday, January 19, 2026 (No classes held; administrative offices closed).
• Last Day to Add/Drop without a "W" and Receive 100% Refund: Friday, January 30, 2026 (End of Week 3). This represents the official session census date.
• Presidents' Day (University Holiday): Monday, February 16, 2026 (No classes held).
• Last Day to Change Grade Option (Pass/No Pass or Audit): Friday, February 20, 2026 (End of Week 6).
• Spring Recess: Sunday, March 15, 2026 – Sunday, March 22, 2026. Instructional activity resumes Monday, March 23.
• Last Day to Drop with a Mark of "W": Friday, April 10, 2026 (End of Week 12).
• Classes End: Friday, May 1, 2026.
• Study Days: Saturday, May 2 – Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Faculty members are strictly prohibited from scheduling mandatory review sessions or assigning new coursework during these designated dates.
• Final Examinations: Wednesday, May 6 – Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
• Commencement Ceremonies: Friday, May 15, 2026.

Important Advisory on Course Drop DeadlinesDropping a course prior to the Friday of Week 3 completely removes the class from your transcript and waives tuition liability. Dropping between Week 4 and Week 12 generates a non-punitive grade of "W" on official transcripts and yields no tuition adjustment. Dropping after Week 12 is prohibited under ordinary circumstances without an approved petition for exception to academic policy from your home school's Dean of Academic Records.

Comprehensive Summer 2026 Session Timelines

USC offers flexible summer terms organized into multiple overlapping sessions. Summer instruction is accelerated, meaning academic policies and drop windows scale proportionally to condensed course durations.

Session A (1st 6-Week Session)

• Classes Begin: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
• Memorial Day Holiday: Monday, May 25, 2026
• Juneteenth Holiday: Friday, June 19, 2026
• Session Ends & Final Exams: Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Session B (2nd 6-Week Session)

• Classes Begin: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
• Independence Day Holiday (Observed): Friday, July 3, 2026
• Session Ends & Final Exams: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Session C (Full 12-Week Term)

• Classes Begin: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
• Session Ends & Final Exams: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Summer registration typically opens concurrently with Fall registration during the preceding spring semester. Degree candidates planning to fulfill major requirements over the summer must verify department-level prerequisite checks prior to enrollment.

Fall 2026 Academic Calendar and Holiday Schedule

The Fall 2026 term opens the 2026–2027 academic year. Incoming undergraduate students participate in Welcome Week activities prior to the formal start of instruction.

• Move-In & Welcome Week: August 17–23, 2026.
• First Day of Fall Classes: Monday, August 24, 2026.
• Labor Day Holiday: Monday, September 7, 2026 (No classes held).
• Last Day to Register, Add/Drop without a "W", and Full Tuition Refund: Friday, September 11, 2026.
• Last Day to Change Grading Option (P/NP or Audit): Friday, October 2, 2026.
• Fall Recess: Thursday, October 15 – Friday, October 16, 2026 (No classes held; campus resources remain operational).
• Last Day to Drop with a Mark of "W": Friday, November 13, 2026.
• Thanksgiving Recess: Wednesday, November 25 – Sunday, November 29, 2026.
• Last Day of Classes: Friday, December 4, 2026.
• Study Days: Saturday, December 5 – Tuesday, December 8, 2026.
• Final Examinations: Wednesday, December 9 – Wednesday, December 16, 2026.
• Winter Recess Begins: Thursday, December 17, 2026.

Master 2026 USC Academic Calendar Reference Table

The following master reference table provides a comparative side-by-side view of the critical operational deadlines across the Spring, Summer (Session C), and Fall terms for 2026.

Critical Academic Policies, Add/Drop Windows, and Registration Strategies

To maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and prevent unintended tuition liabilities, USC students must align their schedules with university administrative guidelines enforced by the Office of the Registrar.

Registration Permits and Departmental Clearances (D-Clearance)

Certain courses require Departmental Clearance (D-clearance) before web registration can process the enrollment request. Classes tagged with a "D" suffix in the USC Schedule of Classes require direct approval from the academic department offering the course. Standard "R" suffix courses permit open registration, provided prerequisite criteria are met. Students must request D-clearances well in advance of their designated registration permit time.

Final Exam Overlap Policies

USC institutional policy strictly governs final exam scheduling. The official final exam schedule is determined by the standard daily meeting time of the course, not individual instructor preference.

• Three-Exam Conflict Rule: If a student has three final examinations scheduled on the same calendar day, university regulations permit them to request an alternative examination time for one of those courses.
• Notification Window: Students must notify their professor in writing at least two weeks prior to the start of the final examination period to arrange an adjusted testing slot.
• Exam Rescheduling Rules: Instructors are prohibited from giving final examinations prior to the scheduled exam period or during designated Study Days.

Grading Option Impact: Letter Grade vs. Pass/No Pass

Undergraduate students may opt to evaluate specific non-major courses under the Pass/No Pass (P/NP) grading schema.

• P/NP Requirements: A grade of "Pass" is awarded for work equivalent to C- or higher. A grade of D+ or lower results in a "No Pass" designation, yielding zero academic units toward graduation without impacting the overall GPA.
• Degree Requirements: Courses applied toward major requirements, minor requirements, or Writing Program prerequisites must be taken for a letter grade unless explicitly waived by the specific academic department.
• Credit Limits: A maximum of 24 units of Pass/No Pass coursework can be applied toward an undergraduate degree at USC.

Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating Web Registration and OASIS

Registration at USC is executed through Web Registration, accessible via the myUSC portal. Managing your course sequence effectively requires a systematic approach.

1. Check Your Registration Permit Time: Log into the Online Academic Student Information System (OASIS) via myUSC to view your assigned registration start time. Permits are granted based on completed units, prioritizing senior degree candidates.
2. Clear Administrative Holds: Review OASIS for registration holds. Common holds include Financial Hold (Student Financial Services), Health Center Hold (Engemann Student Health Center immunization verification), and Mandatory Advising Holds. Holds must be resolved at least 48 hours prior to your permit date.
3. Build Course Calendars in Course Bin: Navigate to the Web Registration portal and search the current semester schedule. Add primary course options and backup sections directly into your digital "Course Bin."
4. Secure Required D-Clearances: Submit clearance requests to relevant department advisors for restricted courses. Verify that cleared courses reflect an active clearance stamp in Web Registration.
5. Execute Registration at Permit Time: As soon as your permit window opens, access Web Registration, move your Course Bin selections into your schedule, and click Submit Schedule. Ensure you receive a confirmation green checkmark indicating successful registration.
6. Verify Tuition and Fees: Confirm your updated fee bill in the USPay or ePay system within 24 hours of adding or dropping units to avoid late registration charges or account freezes.

Frequently Asked Questions About the USC Academic Schedule

How many units can an undergraduate student take per semester at USC?

Full-time undergraduate tuition covers 12 to 18 units per semester. Students wishing to register for more than 18 units must apply for a Unit Overload permit through their home academic advising department, provided they maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

What is the deadline to drop a class without receiving a "W" on my USC transcript?

The deadline to drop a class without a mark of "W" is the end of the third week of classes during standard 15-week semesters. For Spring 2026, this deadline is January 30, and for Fall 2026, it is September 11.

What happens if I drop a course between Week 4 and Week 12?

Dropping a course between Week 4 and Week 12 results in a recorded mark of "W" (Withdrawal) on your official transcript. The "W" does not affect your cumulative GPA, but no tuition refund is granted, and the units do not count toward completed degree requirements.

How does USC handle final exam conflicts for students with back-to-back exams?

If a student has three final examinations scheduled on the exact same day, USC academic policy guarantees the right to reschedule one exam. Students must contact their course instructors at least two weeks before the final exam period begins to make arrangements.

Are classes held during USC Study Days?

No, classes and mandatory academic activities are strictly prohibited during designated Study Days. This multi-day window is reserved exclusively for independent student exam preparation and faculty office hours.

Maximizing Academic Success Through Schedule Management

Mastering the University of Southern California's academic calendar is critical for maintaining academic standing, managing personal commitments, and protecting financial investments. By actively tracking registration windows, resolving advising holds early, and remaining attentive to withdrawal and grading deadlines, students can construct an optimized schedule each semester.

Always consult your specific school advising units (such as Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Viterbi School of Engineering, or Marshall School of Business) for specialized program calendars, as executive degree tracks and health science professional programs may operate on adjusted schedules. Keep your OASIS portal updated, maintain open dialogue with your academic advisors, and align your academic workload with official university timelines for a successful 2026 academic year.