Graduate Calendar 2026-2027

An asterisk (*) indicates the dates and times are tentative and we will update once those dates once finalized. Thank you!

Spring 2026

  • January 13 (T)

    Mandatory New GTA Conference, Budig Hall, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM for GTAs beginning in the Spring

  • January 14 (W)

    Music History Diagnostic Examinations, online via Canvas, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. If you have questions about the exams, please contact Dr. Roberta Swartz (rfschwar@ku.edu).

  • January 15

    Piano Diagnostic Exam, in-person, 12:00-4:00 PM in 402 Murphy Hall. If you have questions about this exam please contact Dr. Rachel Wilder (rwilder@ku.edu).

  • January 19 (M)

    MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY – No Classes

  • January 20 (T)

    FIRST DAY OF CLASSES, $150 Late Enrollment fee begins

  • February 3 (T)

    Early Spring Graduation Deadline, Last day to meet all requirements for May graduation to avoid enrolling in Spring classes. You must have been enrolled in the Fall semester.

  • February 20-23

    Music Theory Doctoral Qualifying Examination, Access the test at 9:00 AM on Friday, 2/20. Due no later than 9:00 AM on Monday, 2/23 (administered via Canvas). Contact musicgrad@ku.edu by 2/12, if you plan to complete this exam in spring. Contact Dr. Scott Murphy with questions about the exam.

  • March 2

    Last day to submit an online Application for Graduation to be listed in the Commencement and Doctoral Hooding Ceremony programs

  • March 16-22

    SPRING BREAK (classes resume on Monday, March 23rd)

  • March 27 (F)

    Music History Doctoral Qualifying Examination, Music Library Seminar room, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM with a lunch break. More information available in the School of Music Doctoral Handbook. Contact Dr. Martin Nedbal if you plan to complete this exam by March 23rd.

  • April 20

    Last day to withdraw from a class or the University

  • May 7 (Th)

    Last Day of Classes

  • May 8 (F)

    STOP DAY – No classes

  • May 11-15

    Final examinations

  • May 15 (F)

    Spring Graduation Deadline, Last day for spring graduates to meet all degree requirements. This includes submission of ALL paperwork to the School of Music graduate coordinator at musicgrad@ku.edu. No extensions will be granted. Applicants will not be listed in the commencement program if they apply between April 15-May 15. Application for Graduation deadline – apply for graduation on Enroll & Pay

  • May 16

    School of Music Recognition Ceremony, 10:30 AM, Crafton-Preyer Theater, Murphy Hall KU Doctoral Hooding Ceremony – Only for those graduating in the Class of 2026 (summer 2025, fall 2025, and spring 2026)

  • May 17

    University of Kansas Commencement Ceremony

  • June 23

    Degrees post to transcripts. Transcripts can be ordered online at: https://registrar.ku.edu/transcripts.

  • August 3

    Spring diplomas are made available through the Registrar’s Office (more info at: https://registrar.ku.edu/diplomas)

Summer 2026

  • June 1 (M)

    First day of regular summer classes (important note: students should check the course dates in Enroll & Pay prior to this date as summer MEMT courses are on a compressed schedule), Late Enrollment begins.

  • June 15 (M)

    Early Summer Graduation Deadline, Last day to meet all requirements for summer graduation to avoid enrolling for summer classes. You must have been enrolled in the spring semester to be eligible.

  • July 4 (Sa)

    INDEPENDENCE DAY – No Classes

  • July 24 (F)

    Last day to file Application for Graduation in Enroll & Pay for summer graduation Summer Graduation Deadline, Last day for summer master’s and doctoral candidates to meet all degree requirements. This includes submission of ALL paperwork to the School of Music graduate coordinator at musicgrad@ku.edu. No extensions will be granted. Applicants will not be listed in the commencement program. Last day of classes

  • *August 1

    Degrees awarded (formally conferred at May 2027 commencement)

  • *August 24

    Degrees post to transcript. Transcripts can be ordered online at: https://registrar.ku.edu/transcripts.

  • *October 1

    Summer diplomas are made available through the Registrar’s Office (more info at: https://registrar.ku.edu/diplomas)

Fall 2026

  • *August 17 (M)

    Mandatory New GTA Conference, In-Person from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (all day) in Budig Hall

  • August 18 (Tu)

    Graduate Student Fall Orientation, Swarthout Recital Hall, 1:00 PM-2:30 PM, ALL Graduate Students are welcome to attend.

  • August 19 (W)

    Music History Diagnostic Examination, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Online via Canvas If you have questions about the exams, please contact Dr. Roberta Swartz (rfschwar@ku.edu).

  • *August 20 (Th)

    Piano Diagnostic Examination, 402 Murphy Hall (Piano majors only), 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (online in Canvas)

  • August 23 (Su)

    School of Music (SOM) New Student Welcome, Swarthout Recital Hall, 3:00 PM-4:00 PM. All new students are welcome.

  • August 24 (M)

    FIRST DAY OF CLASSES, Late Enrollment Begins, $150 Fee

  • August 28 (F)

    LAST DAY to enroll online; Last day to drop for 100% refund

  • September 7 (M)

    LABOR DAY, no classes

  • September 8 (Tu)

    Early Fall Graduation Deadline, Last day to meet all requirements for Fall graduation to avoid enrolling in Fall classes. You must have been enrolled in Spring or Summer to be eligible.

  • *September 25-28

    Music Theory Doctoral Qualifying Examination. Access the test at 9:00 AM on Friday, 9/19. Due no later than 9:00 AM on Monday, 9/22 (administered via Canvas). Contact musicgrad@ku.edu by 9/11, if you plan to complete this exam in fall. Contact Dr. Scott Murphy with questions about the exam.

  • October 17-20

    FALL BREAK (classes resume on Wednesday, Oct. 15)

  • *November 26 (F)

    Music History Doctoral Qualifying Examination, Music Library Seminar room, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM with a lunch break. More information available in the School of Music Doctoral Handbook. Contact Dr. Martin Nedbal if you plan to complete this exam by October 17th.

  • November 18

    Last day to withdraw from a class or the University

  • Nov 25-29

    THANKSGIVING BREAK (classes resume Monday, November 30th)

  • December 10 (Th)

    Last Day of Classes

  • December 11 (F)

    STOP DAY – No classes

  • December 14-18

    Final Examinations

  • December 18 (F)

    Fall Graduation Deadline, Last day to complete all degree requirements for fall graduation. This includes submission of ALL paperwork to the School of Music graduate coordinator at musicgrad@ku.edu. No extensions will be granted. Last day to file Application for Graduation in Enroll & Pay for December graduation.

  • December 31

    Fall degrees awarded (formally conferred at May commencement)

  • January 25, 2027

    Fall degrees post to transcripts. Transcripts can be ordered online at: https://registrar.ku.edu/transcripts.

  • March 1, 2027

    Fall diplomas are made available through the Registrar’s Office (more info at: https://registrar.ku.edu/diplomas)

Spring 2027

  • *January 11 (M)

    Mandatory New GTA Conference, Budig Hall, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM for GTAs beginning in the Spring

  • *January 13 (W)

    Music History Diagnostic Examinations, online via Canvas, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. If you have questions about the exams, please contact Dr. Roberta Swartz (rfschwar@ku.edu).

  • *January 14 (Th)

    Piano Diagnostic Exam, online in Canvas, 12:00-4:00 PM in 402 Murphy Hall. If you have questions about this exam please contact Dr. Rachel Wilder (rwilder@ku.edu).

  • January 18 (M)

    MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY – No Classes

  • January 19 (Tu)

    FIRST DAY OF CLASSES, $150 Late Enrollment fee begins

  • February 4 (Tu)

    Early Spring Graduation Deadline, Last day to meet all requirements for May graduation to avoid enrolling in Spring classes. You must have been enrolled in the Fall semester.

  • *February 19-22

    Music Theory Doctoral Qualifying Examination, Access the test at 9:00 AM on Friday, 2/20. Due no later than 9:00 AM on Monday, 2/23 (administered via Canvas). Contact musicgrad@ku.edu by 2/12, if you plan to complete this exam in spring. Contact Dr. Scott Murphy with questions about the exam.

  • March 1

    Last day to submit an online Application for Graduation to be listed in the Commencement and Doctoral Hooding Ceremony programs

  • March 15-21

    SPRING BREAK (classes resume on Monday, March 23rd)

  • *March 26 (F)

    Music History Doctoral Qualifying Examination, Music Library Seminar room, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM with a lunch break. More information available in the School of Music Doctoral Handbook. Contact Dr. Martin Nedbal if you plan to complete this exam by March 22nd.

  • *April 19

    Last day to withdraw from a class or the University

  • May 6 (Th)

    Last Day of Classes

  • May 7 (F)

    STOP DAY – No classes

  • May 10-14

    Final examinations

  • May 14 (F)

    Spring Graduation Deadline, Last day for spring graduates to meet all degree requirements. This includes submission of ALL paperwork to the School of Music graduate coordinator at musicgrad@ku.edu. No extensions will be granted. Applicants will not be listed in the commencement program if they apply between April 15-May 15. Application for Graduation deadline – apply for graduation on Enroll & Pay

  • May 15 (Sat)

    School of Music Recognition Ceremony, 10:30 AM, Crafton-Preyer Theater, Murphy Hall KU Doctoral Hooding Ceremony – Only for those graduating in the Class of 2026 (summer 2026, fall 2026, and spring 2027)

  • May 16 (Su)

    University of Kansas Commencement Ceremony

  • June 24

    Degrees post to transcripts. Transcripts can be ordered online at: https://registrar.ku.edu/transcripts.

  • August 2

    Spring diplomas are made available through the Registrar’s Office (more info at: https://registrar.ku.edu/diplomas)

Summer 2027

  • June 7 (M)

    First day of summer classes, Late Enrollment begins

  • June 21 (M)

    Early Summer Graduation Deadline, Last day to meet all requirements for summer graduation to avoid enrolling for summer classes. You must have been enrolled in the spring semester to be eligible.

  • July 4 (F)

    INDEPENDENCE DAY – No Classes

  • July 30 (F)

    Last day to file Application for Graduation in Enroll & Pay for summer graduation Summer Graduation Deadline, Last day for summer master’s and doctoral candidates to meet all degree requirements. This includes submission of ALL paperwork to the School of Music graduate coordinator at musicgrad@ku.edu. No extensions will be granted. Applicants will not be listed in the commencement program. Last day of classes

  • *August 1

    Degrees awarded (formally conferred at May 2023 commencement)

  • *August 24

    Degrees post to transcript. Transcripts can be ordered online at: https://registrar.ku.edu/transcripts.

  • *October 1

    Summer diplomas are made available through the Registrar’s Office (more info at: https://registrar.ku.edu/diplomas)