Important Semester Dates

George Mason University operates on a semester system, with standard Fall and Spring semesters and a Summer semester consisting of several condensed sessions. The Fall semester usually begins the last week of August, and the Spring semester usually starts the third week of January. Each semester is 14 weeks long, plus a final exam week.  

There are important dates you should be aware of during the semester, including the last dates to add and drop classes, university holidays and breaks, and reading days. You should familiarize yourself with these dates and reflect them on your syllabus. Dates for each semester can be found on the Registrar’s website at Calendars - Office of the University RegistrarOffice of the University Registrar | George Mason University.

Final exams for 100% face-to-face and 100% online synchronous classes are scheduled by the Registrar’s office and take place in your usual classroom (if face-to-face) or virtually (if online synchronous). Please consult the Registrar’s website for the assigned date and time of your exam (found under the “Final Exam Schedule” link). Exam slots are scheduled based on the normal class meeting days and times of your course. Please reach out to the Administrative Support Specialist if you have trouble interpreting the exam schedule. You are required to use this date for your exam; if you use a take-home exam, the exam should be due on the date and time set aside for your class’s final exam. You should not give final exams during the last week of classes for the semester, as this reduces instructional time and the time allowed for students to prepare for final exams.

If you are teaching a hybrid course, you will receive an email from the Scheduling Office mid-semester to schedule a final exam (if needed). Async courses do not have in-person final exams.