Academic Calendar

Graphic

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art operates within a three-semester calendar (fall, spring, and summer). Most classes are scheduled Monday through Friday between 8 am and 9 pm. View all building hours.

FALL 2025
 

Tue, August 5
PAYMENT DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS WHO REGISTERED FOR CLASSES IN SPRING 2025

Fri, August 8
STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT PAID OR ENROLLED IN THE PAYMENT PLAN WILL BE DEREGISTERED BY 5 P.M.
Students are advised to review the terms of their payment plans

Tue, August 26 - Mon, September 1
WELCOME WEEK
Orientation Events, Wed - Mon

Fri, August 29
WELCOME BACK PICNIC
Community picnic to welcome new students, all invited

Mon, September 1
LABOR DAY
Academic buildings and administrative offices closed

Tue, September 2
START OF FALL TERM

Tue, September 2
ALL-COOPER CONVOCATION
Starts at 12 p.m.; Last day for registration fee refund

Tue, September 2 - Tue, September 9
ADD/DROP PERIOD
Students can add or drop courses with advisor assistance

Tue, September 9
ADD/DROP DEADLINE
Last day to add/drop courses with advisor assistance
Last day to fully withdraw, take a leave of absence, and receive full refund of paid tuition and fees, other than the registration fee 

Wed, September 10
VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT ROSTERS AVAILABLE TO FACULTY

Mon, September 15
PAYMENT DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS WHO REGISTERED FOR CLASSES ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 2
Students are advised to review the terms of their payment plans

Wed, September 17
STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT PAID FOR OR ENROLLED IN THE PAYMENT PLAN WILL BE DEREGISTERED BY 5 P.M.
Students are advised to review the terms of their payment plans

Tue, October 28
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASSES
After the withdrawal deadline, students are not permitted to withdraw; in the event of extenuating circumstances, students are advised to meet with their advisor 

Tue, November 18 - Fri, November 21
COURSE REGISTRATION FOR SPRING 2026
Registration for spring semester courses; all students must have advisor approval to register

Tue, November 25
MODIFIED SCHEDULE DAY
Thursday classes meet

Wed, November 26
MODIFIED SCHEDULE DAY
Friday classes meet

Thu, November 27 - Fri, November 28
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Academic buildings and administrative offices closed

Mon, December 1
CLASSES RESUME

Thu, December 11 - Fri, December 12
STUDY PERIOD
No classes; administrative offices open

Mon, December 15 - Fri, December 19
FINAL CLASSES/CRITS/EXAMS
Final Exams are administered in regularly assigned rooms

Fri, December 19
END OF FALL TERM

Sat, December 20
RESIDENCE HALL CLOSES FOR WINTER BREAK AT 12 P.M.

Mon, December 22 - Mon, January 19
WINTER RECESS
No classes 

Mon, December 22 - Fri, January 2
STAFF HOLIDAY
December 24 and December 25 academic buildings and administrative offices closed

Fri, January 2
FALL GRADES DUE
Grades due to the Office of the Registrar before 12 p.m.


SPRING 2026
 

Mon, January 5
PAYMENT DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS WHO REGISTERED FOR CLASSES IN FALL 2025

Mon, January 5
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES REOPEN
RESIDENCE HALL REOPENS AT 10 A.M.

Fri, January 9
STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT PAID OR ARE NOT ENROLLED IN THE PAYMENT PLAN WILL BE DEREGISTERED BY 5 P.M.
Students are advised to review the terms of their payment plans

Wed, January 14
VERIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT ROSTERS AVAILABLE TO FACULTY

Mon, January 19
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
Academic buildings and administrative offices closed

Tue, January 20
START OF SPRING TERM

Tue, January 20
LAST DAY FOR REGISTRATION FEE REFUND
Last day to drop all courses and receive a full refund of paid registration fee; registration fee is nonrefundable after Jan 20

Tue, January 20 - Tue, January 27
ADD/DROP PERIOD
Students can add or drop courses with advisor assistance.

Tue, January 27
COURSE ADD/DROP DEADLINE
Last day to add/drop courses with advisor assistance.
Last day to fully withdraw, take a leave of absence, and receive a full refund of paid tuition and fees, other than the registration fee 

Wed, January 28
CENSUS DATE

Thu, February 5
PAYMENT DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS WHO REGISTERED FOR CLASSES ON OR AFTER JANUARY 20

Wed, February 11
MODIFIED SCHEDULE DAY
Friday classes meet

Wed, February 11
STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT PAID OR ARE NOT ENROLLED IN THE PAYMENT PLAN WILL BE DEREGISTERED BY 5 P.M.
Students are advised to review the terms of their payment plans

Fri, February 13 - Mon, February 16
FOUNDER'S DAY/PRESIDENT'S DAY
Academic buildings and administrative offices closed

Tue, February 17 
MODIFIED SCHEDULE DAY
Monday classes meet

Fri, March 13
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASSES
After the withdrawal deadline, students are not permitted to withdraw; in the event of extenuating circumstances, students are advised to meet with their advisor 

Mon, March 16 - Fri, March 20
SPRING RECESS
Academic buildings closed and administrative offices open

Tue, April 21 - Fri, April 24
COURSE REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER 2026 AND FALL 2026
Registration for summer and fall semester courses; all students must have advisor approval to register

Thu, May 7 - Fri, May 8 
STUDY PERIOD
No classes; administrative offices remain open

Mon, May 11 - Fri, May 15
FINAL CLASSES/CRITS/EXAMS
Classes meet in regularly assigned rooms at regular times

Fri, May 15
END OF SPRING TERM

Sat, May 16
RESIDENCE HALL CLOSES AT 12 P.M.

Mon, May 18
SENIOR GRADES DUE
Senior grades due to the Office of the Registrar before 12 p.m.

Wed, May 20
NON-SENIOR GRADES DUE
All non-senior grades due to the Office of the Registrar before 12 p.m.

Mon, May 25
MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY
Academic buildings and administrative offices closed

Wed, May 27
COMMENCEMENT REHEARSAL

Wed, May 27
END OF YEAR SHOW OPENING

Thu, May 28 
COMMENCEMENT

 

SUMMER 2026
 

Mon, June 1
START OF SUMMER TERM; START OF SESSION A

Mon, June 1 - Wed, June 3
ADD/DROP PERIOD FOR SESSIONS A AND B
Students can add or drop courses with advisor assistance

Wed, June 3
COURSE ADD/DROP DEADLINE FOR SESSIONS A AND B
Last day to add/drop courses with advisor assistance for all sessions

Wed, June 10
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM SESSION A COURSES

Fri, June 19
JUNETEENTH
Academic buildings and administrative offices closed

Sat, July 4
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Academic buildings and administrative offices closed

Mon, July 13
END OF SUMMER SESSION A

Tue, July 14
START OF SUMMER SESSION B

Mon, July 20
SESSION A GRADES DUE
Grades due to the Office of the Registrar before 12 p.m.

Tue, July 21
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM SESSION B COURSES

Tue, August 25
END OF SUMMER SESSION B

Mon, August 31
SESSION B GRADES DUE
Grades due to the Office of the Registrar before 12 p.m.

  • 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.