The campus remains closed with all summer courses being conducted online and staff working remotely. Classes will resume on August 31, 2020 for the fall semester. For updates on campus operations, both virtual and in person, for the fall semester, please see the Fall 2020 Info Hub page.

Academic Calendars

The Cooper Union for The Advancement of Science and Art operates within a two semester calendar (fall and spring). Most classes are scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. We offer a limited summer session with courses typically provided in Math, Physics, and Engineering. See building hours for when buildings are open.

2020 – 2021

Add the 2020 – 2021 academic calendar to your calendar app

Mon, Aug 3 Student bill due date  
Tue, Aug 25 – Sun, Aug 30 Orientation  
Mon, Aug 31 Fall 2020 Semester Begins Monday Classes Meet
Mon, Aug 31 – Tue, Sep 8 Course Adjustment Period Students can add/drop courses with advisor assistance
Mon, Sep 7 Labor Day Offices and Classrooms are closed
Tue, Sep 8 Fall Festival  
Tue, Sep 8 Course Add/Drop deadline Last day to add/drop courses. Last day to take leave of absence or fully withdraw from School and receive full tuition and fees refund.
Mon, Oct 12 Outstanding Student Bills Due and Account Hold Hold placed on student records preventing fruture course registration and/or release of transcript pending payment
Wed, Oct 28 Last Day to withdraw from classes  
Tue, Nov 17 – Mon, Nov 23 Registration for Spring 2021 classes All students must have advisor approval in order to register
Tue, Nov 24 MODIFIED SCHEDULE THURSDAY classes meet
Wed, Nov 25 MODIFIED SCHEDULE FRIDAY classes meet
Thu, Nov 26 – Fri, Nov 27 Thanksgiving Holiday Offices and Classrooms are closed
Mon, Nov 30 Classes Resume  
Thu, Dec 10 – Fri, Dec 11 Study Period No Classes
Mon, Dec 14 – Fri, Dec 18 Final Classes, crits and exams Students meet in regularly assigned rooms at regular times
Fri, Dec 18 End of Fall term Last day of the fall 2020 term
Mon, Dec 21 – Sun, Jan 17 Winter Recess All schools closed
Wed, Dec 23 – Sun, Jan 3 Staff Holiday  
Mon, Jan 4 Administrative Offices Re-open Fall grades due All grades due to the Office of the Registrar before noon (12PM)
Tue, Jan 5 Spring 2021 Bill Due Date  
Mon, Jan 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Staff Holiday
Tue, Jan 19 Spring 2021 Semester begins Spring semester begins. MONDAY classes meet
Tue, Jan 19 – Tue, Jan 26 Course Adjustment Period Students can add/drop courses with advisor assistance
Tue, Jan 26 Course Add/Drop Deadline Last day to add/drop courses. Last day to take leave of absence or fully withdraw from School and receive full tuition and fees refund. Advisors and School Offices are informed as to how to handle Tuesday evening courses.
Wed, Feb 10 MODIFIED SCHEDULE FRIDAY classes meet
Fri, Feb 12 Founder's Day Classrooms and office closed
Mon, Feb 15 President's Day Classrooms and office closed
Fri, Mar 12 Outstanding Student Bills Due and Account Hold Hold placed on student records preventing fruture course registration and/or release of transcript pending payment
Sat, Mar 13 – Sun, Mar 21 Spring Recess No Classes. Administrative offices remain open
Wed, Mar 31 Last Day to withdraw from classes  
Tue, Apr 20 – Fri, Apr 23 Course Registration for both Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 Registration into Summer and/or Fall semester courses. All students must have advisor approval in order to register
Thu, May 6 – Fri, May 7 Study Period No classes
Mon, May 10 – Fri, May 14 Final classes, crits, and exams Students meet in regularly assigned rooms at regular times
Fri, May 14 End of Spring 2021 Term  
Mon, May 17 Senior Grades due Senior grades due to Office of the Registrar before noon (12PM)
Wed, May 19 All non-senior grades due All non-senior grades due Office of the Registrar before noon (12PM)
Tue, May 25 Commencement Rehearsal Time TBD
Tue, May 25 End of Year Show Opening 5 – 9pm
Wed, May 26 Commencement 10:30am – 12pm
Mon, May 31 Memorial Day Classrooms and offices closed
Sat, Jun 19 Juneteenth Classrooms and offices closed
Mon, Jul 5 Independence Day Observed Classrooms and offices closed

 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.