Academic Calendar and Critical Deadlines

Students are expected to know regulations and policies found in this catalog and the Samford University Student Handbook. Keeping abreast of the school calendar, critical deadlines, as well as all university communication is also the student’s responsibility.

Most Graduate Students

Semester System

Samford University operates on the semester system, consisting of two four-month semesters: fall and spring. The fall semester begins in late August and ends in mid-December. The spring semester begins in January and ends in late April. The maximum number of credits allowed in a semester varies depending on the school or academic program.

Fall and Spring Semesters and A/B Terms

For students in the online Environmental Management, Graduate Law, and Graduate Organizational Leadership programs, the fall and spring semesters are split into two eight-week terms: A and B. The typical mid-semester point for fall is mid-October and for spring is mid-March. The maximum number of credits allowed in a semester varies depending on the school or academic program.

Summer Terms

Summer term classes are split into one three-week May Term and, in the summer, two five-week terms (Summer I and Summer II), one 10-week term (Summer III), one 12-week summer term, and one 14-week summer term. The latter two terms are primarily reserved for specific graduate programs. The maximum number of credits allowed during the summer varies depending on the school or academic program.

May Term

As noted above, Samford University offers a three-week interterm called May Term. Interterm opportunities may include research in libraries or laboratories, contacts with visiting scholars, internships, externships, field trips, and more. The maximum class load allowed in May Term is typically two courses, not to exceed a total of six credits. Not all graduate programs offer classes in May Term.

Calendar for Academic Year 2025-2026 for
Most Graduate Programs

(excluding Divinity and Law*)

Calendar dates/deadlines are subject to change.

*These calendar dates are applicable to students in the following graduate colleges/schools: School of the Arts, Business, Education, as well as Graduate CHS programs, even though they may have different beginning and end dates. Environmental Management, Graduate Law, and Organizational Leadership (MSOL) programs follow the A/B calendar (see the next page). Divinity programs follow the Divinity Calendar and Doctoral Law programs follow the Law Calendar (see the links below).

CHS=College of Health Sciences (includes School of Health Professions, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health)

Note about Graduation Application Deadlines: All students must complete the Application for Graduation to ensure timely assessment of their graduation requirements. The form is accessible online through the Samford Portal.

Important Note: See the Financial Information section for payment due dates for each semester/term. Students who register AFTER the payment due date MUST make their payments IMMEDIATELY upon registration.

Inclement weather or other events beyond the control of the university that might cause risk or danger to students, faculty, and staff may occasionally result in changes to normal university operations, including cancellation of classes or events; the calendar schedule may be adjusted.

For the Beeson School of Divinity Academic Calendar, use the following link: http://www.samford.edu/beeson-divinity/academic-calendar

For the Cumberland School of Law Academic Calendar, use the following link: https://www.samford.edu/cumberlandlaw/calendars-and-schedules

For a calendar with dates specific to the McWhorter School of Pharmacy, use the following link: http://www.samford.edu/pharmacy/student-services/

Calendar for Academic Year 2025-2026 for
Selected Graduate Programs: 

Environmental Management, Graduate Law, and Organizational Leadership (MSOL) (Online Only)

Note about Graduation Application Deadlines: All students must complete the Application for Graduation to ensure timely assessment of their graduation requirements. The form is accessible online through the Samford Portal.

Important Note: See the Financial Information  section for payment due dates for each semester/term. Students who register AFTER the payment due date MUST make their payments IMMEDIATELY upon registration.

Inclement weather or other events beyond the control of the university that might cause risk or danger to students, faculty, and staff may occasionally result in changes to normal university operations, including cancellation of classes or events; the calendar schedule may be adjusted.