Past Calendar

Academic Calendar

Dates May Be Subject to Change

Fall 2023
Event/Deadline Date(s)
JD New Student Orientation  August 21-24
LLM and SJD New Student Orientation August 23-24
First day of classes August 25
Add/drop period August 25 -September 1
Labor Day holiday (University closed; no classes) September 4
Deadline for IP grades from Spring 2023.
Missing grades convert to F after this date.
September 5
 
Last day to add externship fieldwork credits, independent studies, law school competitions, moot court, mock trial and journal credits September 8
Fall Break (Administrative offices open; no classes) October 13 – October 16
Last day to withdraw from a class with a W transcript notation November 3
Registration for Spring 2024 semester begins November 10
Thanksgiving holiday (University closed; no classes) November 23 – November 26
Deadline for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations November 27
Only Monday classes meet (make-up for Labor Day - Monday) November 27
Only Thursday classes meet (make-up for Thanksgiving - Thursday) Tuesday, November 28
Only Monday classes meet (make-up for Fall Break - Monday) Wednesday, November 29
Only Friday classes meet (make-up for Fall Break - Friday) Thursday, November 30
Last day of classes (includes make-ups for holidays) November 30
Deadline for Submitting Exam Deferral Requests November 30
Reading Period     December 1 – December 5
Examinations begin December 6
Examinations end December 16
Final due date for all assessments without an earlier deadline December 16
Winter break (University closed) December 23 –January 1

Dates May Be Subject to Change

Spring 2023
Event/Deadline Date(s)
New LLM student orientation/registration January 6
First day of classes January 9
Add/drop period January 9–13
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (University closed; no classes) January 16
Deadline for IP grades from Summer 2022.
Missing grades will convert to an F after this date.
January 16
Last day to add externship fieldwork credits, independent studies, law school competitions, moot court, mock trial and journal credits January 30
Spring break March 12–19
Last day to withdraw from a class with a W transcript notation March 20
Submission period for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations March 27–April 24
Registration for Summer & Fall 2023 begins April 21
Last day of classes (includes make ups for holidays) April 24
Deadline for submitting exam deferral requests April 24
Reading period April 25–May 1
Examinations begin May 2
Examinations end May 13
Final due date for all assessments without an earlier deadline May 13
May graduates grades due May 15
Commencement May 20
Official Degree Award Date May 20
Deadline for IP grades from Fall 2022.
Missing grades will convert to an F after this date.
June 10

Dates May Be Subject to Change

Summer 2023
Event/Deadline Date(s)
Memorial Day holiday (University closed; no classes) May 29
First day of classes May 30
Make up day for Memorial Day (Monday classes meet) June 2
Add/drop period May 30–June 6
Juneteenth (University closed; no classes) June 19
Make up for Juneteenth June 23
Independence Day (University closed; no classes) July 4
Make up day for Independence Day (Tuesday classes meet) July 7
Last day to withdraw from a full term summer class with a W transcript notation July 7
Last day of classes July 27
Deadline for submitting exam deferral requests July 27
Reading period July 28–31
Examinations begin August 1
Examinations end August 5
Final due date for all assessments without an earlier deadline August 5
Official Degree Award Date August 18
Deadline for IP grades from Spring 2023.
Missing grades will convert to an F after this date.
September 4

Dates May Be Subject to Change

Fall 2022
Event/Deadline Date(s)
JD new student orientation August 15–19
LLM and SJD new student orientation August 17-18
First day of classes August 19
Add/drop period August 19–September 2
Labor Day holiday (University closed; no classes) September 5
Last day to add externship fieldwork credits, independent studies, law school competitions, moot court, mock trial and journal credits September 9
Fall break (WCL offices open, no classes) October 14–17
Last day to withdraw from a class with a W transcript notation October 21
Submission period for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations November 1–28
Advance registration for Spring 2023 semester November 9
All classes remote November 23
Thanksgiving holiday (University closed; no classes) November 24–27
Make up class meeting days
     Thursday class make up Tuesday, November 29
     Monday class make up Wednesday, November 30
     Friday class make up Thursday, December 1
Official last day of classes December 1
Deadline for submitting exam deferral requests December 1
Reading period December 2–6
Examinations begin December 7
Examinations end December 17
Final due date for all assessments without an earlier deadline December 17
Official Degree Award Date December 21
Winter break – University closed December 24–January 2
Deadline for IP grades from Summer 2022.
Missing grades will convert to an F after this date.
January 16

Dates May Be Subject to Change

Spring 2022
Event/Deadline Date(s)
New student orientation/registration January 7
December graduates grades due January 7
Grades for continuing students due January 7
First day of classes January 10
Add/drop period January 10-18
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (University closed; no classes) January 17
Deadline for IP grades from Summer 2020. Missing grades will convert to an F after this date. January 18
Last day to add externship fieldwork credits, independent studies, moot court, mock trial and journal credits January 31
Spring break March 6-13
Last day to withdraw from a class with a W transcript notation March 18
Submission period for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations March 28-April 22
Registration for Fall 2022 begins April 14
Last day of classes (includes make ups for holidays) April 25
Reading period April 26-May 1
Examinations begin May 2
Final due date for all assessments without an earlier deadline May 7
Examinations end May 14
May graduates grades due May 16
WCL Official Degree Award Date May 22
Spring Commencement May 22
Deadline for IP grades from Fall 2021. Missing grades will convert to an F after this date. June 13

  Dates May Be Subject to Change

Fall 2021
Event/Deadline Date(s)
In My Backyard (IMBY) Day of Service August 16
New student orientation August 16-20
First day of classes August 20
Add/drop period August 20-30
Labor Day holiday (University closed; no classes) September 6
Last day to add externship credits, independent studies, moot court, mock trial and journal credits September 10
Last day to withdraw from a class with a 'W' October 29
Spring registration begins November 10
Submission period for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations November 15-29
Thanksgiving holiday (University closed; no classes) November 25-26
Last day of classes (includes make ups for holidays)
  • Monday, November 29
  • Tues, November 30
November 30
Monday classes (only) meet
Thursday classes (only) meet
Deadline for submitting exam deferral requests November 30
Reading period December 1-6
Examinations begin December 7
Final due date for all assessments without an earlier deadline December 11
Examinations end December 18
WCL Official Degree Award Date December 21
Winter break (University closed, no classes) December 24-January 2

  Dates May Be Subject to Change

Summer 2021
Event/Deadline Date(s)
Memorial Day holiday (University closed; no classes) Monday, May 31
First day of classes Tuesday, June 1
Add/drop period Tuesday, June 1 – Monday, June 7 at 11:59 p.m.
Monday classes meet (makeup for Memorial Day) Friday, June 25 or as set by Professor
4th of July Observance (University closed; no classes) Monday, July 5
Monday classes meet (makeup for 5th of July) Friday, July 23 or as set by Professor
Last day of classes Thursday, July 29
Reading period Friday, July 30 –Monday, August 2
Examinations begin Tuesday, August 3
Examinations end Friday, August 6
Final due date for all assessments without an earlier deadline Saturday, August 7
WCL Official Degree Award Date Wednesday, August 18
Spring 2021
Event/Deadline Date(s)
Orientation for new LLM students Friday, January 8
First day of classes Monday, January 11
Add/drop period Monday, January 11 - Friday, January 22 at 11:59 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (University closed; no classes) Monday, January 18
Inauguration Day (University closed; no classes) Wednesday, January 20
University open, no classes Thursday, January 28
Last day to add externship credits, independent studies, moot court, mock trial, or journal credits Friday, January 29
University open, no classes Tuesday, February 23
University open, no classes Thursday, March 25
Last day to withdraw from a class with a 'W' Friday, March 26
Deadline for Non-Native English Speakers (NNES) to request examination accommodations Thursday, April 1
Summer/Fall registration begins Thursday, April 8
Last day of classes (includes make-up for holiday) Friday, April 23
Thursday classes meet (make-up day) Friday, April 23
University open, no classes Monday, April 26
University open, no classes Tuesday, April 27
Deadline for submitting exam deferral requests Tuesday, April 27
Reading period Wednesday, April 28 – Monday, May 3
Examinations begin Tuesday, May 4
Examinations end Friday, May 14
Final due date for all assessments without an earlier deadline Saturday, May 15
May graduates grades due Monday, May 17
WCL Official Degree Award Date Sunday, May 23
Commencement Sunday, May 23
Deadline for IP grades from Fall 2020. Missing grades will convert to an F after this date. Monday, June 7
Fall 2020
Event/DeadlinE Date(s)
In My Backyard (IMBY) Day of Service TBD
Orientation for new part-time JD students TBD
Orientation for new full-time JD students TBD
Orientation for transfer JD students TBD
Orientation for new LLM students TBD
Orientation for new SJD candidates TBD
First day of classes Friday, August 21
Add/drop period Friday, August 21 – Friday, August 28 at 11:59 p.m.
Labor Day holiday (University closed; no classes) Monday, September 7
Last day to add externship credits, independent studies, moot court, mock trial, or journal credits Friday, September 11
Yom Kippur (University open; no classes) Monday, September 28
Last day to withdraw from a class with a 'W' Friday, October 30
Deadline for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations Monday, November 2
Spring registration begins Tuesday, November 17
Thanksgiving holiday (University closed; no classes) Thursday, November 26 –Sunday, November 29
Monday classes meet Monday, November 30
Monday classes meet (makeup day for Yom Kippur) Tuesday, December 1
Thursday classes meet (makeup day for Thanksgiving) Wednesday, December 2
Last day of classes (includes make-up for holiday) Wednesday, December 2
Deadline for submitting exam deferral requests Wednesday, December 2
Reading period Thursday, December 3 –Monday, December 7
Examinations begin Tuesday, December 8
Final due date for all assessments without an earlier deadline Friday, December 12
Examinations end Saturday, December 19
WCL Official Degree Award Date
 
Monday, December 21
Winter break (University closed; no classes) Thursday, December 24 – Sunday, January 3
December graduates grade due Tuesday, January 5
Grades for continuing students due Tuesday, January 5
Deadline for IP grades from Summer 2020. Missing grades will convert to an F after this date. Monday, January 18
Summer 2020
Event/Deadline Date(s)
Memorial Day Holiday (University closed; no classes) Monday, May 25
First day of classes Tuesday, May 26
Add/drop period Tuesday, May 26 – Monday, June 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Last day of classes (includes make-up for holiday) Monday, July 27
Reading Period Tuesday, July 28 –Thursday, July 30
Examinations Begin Friday, July 31
Examinations End Wednesday, August 5
Final Due Date for All Assessments without an Earlier Deadline Wednesday, August 5
WCL Official Degree Award Date Tuesday, August 18
Deadline for 'IP' Grades from Spring 2020. Missing grades will convert to an F after this date. Wednesday, September 2
Spring 2020
Event/Deadline Date(s)
Orientation for New LLM Students TBD
First day of classes Wednesday, January 8
Add/drop period Wednesday, January 8 – Tuesday, January 14 at 11:59 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (University closed; no classes) Monday, January 20
Last Day to add externship credits, independent studies, moot court, mock trial, or journal credits Friday, January 24
Spring Break (University open; no classes) Monday, March 16 – Friday, March 20
Classes Resume Monday, March 23
Deadline for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations Wednesday, April 1
Summer/Fall Registration Begins Wednesday, April 15
Monday classes meet (Makeup for MLK Day)
Last day of classes (includes make-up for holiday)
Wednesday, April 22
Last day to withdraw from a class with a 'W' (extended deadline as a one time exception due to coronavirus) Wednesday, April 22
Deadline for Submitting Exam Deferral Requests Wednesday, April 22
Reading period Thursday, April 23 – Monday, April 27
Examinations begin Tuesday, April 28
Examinations end Friday, May 8
Final Due Date for All Assessments without an Earlier Deadline Friday, May 8
May Graduates Grades Due Monday, May 11
WCL Official Degree Award Date Sunday, May 17
Commencement Sunday, May 17
Grading Period Saturday, May 9 - Sunday, June 7
Deadline for 'IP' Grades from Fall 2019. Missing grades will convert to an F after this date. Monday, June 8
Summer 2019
Event/Deadline Date(s)
In My Backyard (IMBY) Day of Service Monday, August 12
Orientation for New Part-Time JD Students Tuesday, August 13 – Thursday, August 15 (evenings) and Saturday, August 17 (day)
Orientation for New Full-Time JD Students Tuesday, August 13 – Friday, August 16
Orientation for Transfer JD Students Thursday, August 15
Orientation for New LLM Students Tuesday, August 13 – Wednesday, August 14
Orientation for New SJD Candidates Wednesday, August 14
First Day of Classes (Friday classes meet) Friday, August 16
Add/drop period Friday, August 16 – Thursday, August 22 at 11:59 p.m.
Labor Day holiday (University closed; no classes) Monday, September 2
Last Day to add externship credits, independent studies, moot court, mock trial, or journal credits Friday, September 6
Deadline for 'IP' Grades from Spring 2019. Missing grades will convert to an F after this date. Monday, September 9
Yom Kippur (University open; no classes) Wednesday, October 9
Last day to withdraw from a class with a 'W' Friday, October 25
Deadline for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations Friday, November 1
Spring Registration Begins Wednesday, November 13
Wednesday Classes meet (Makeup day for Yom Kippur) Tuesday, November 26
Last day of classes (includes make-up for holiday) Tuesday, November 26
Deadline for Submitting Exam Deferral Requests Tuesday, November 26
Reading Period Wednesday, November 27 – Wednesday, December 4
Thanksgiving holiday (University closed; no classes) Thursday, November 28 –Friday, November 29
Examinations begin Thursday, December 5
Examinations end Monday, December 16
Final Due Date for All Assessments without an Earlier Deadline Monday, December 16
WCL Official Degree Award Date Saturday, December 21
Winter break (University closed; no classes) Monday, December 23 – Wednesday, January 1
Grading Period Tuesday, December 17 - Sunday, January 12
Deadline for 'IP' Grades from Summer 2019. Missing grades will convert to an F after this date. Monday, January 13
Spring 2019
Event/Deadline Date(s)
Orientation for New LLM Students TBD
First day of classes Wednesday, January 9
Add/drop period Wednesday, January 9 – Tuesday, January 15 at 11:59 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (University closed; classes rescheduled on April 24) Monday, January 21
Last Day to add externship credits, independent studies, moot court, mock trial, or journal credits Friday, January 25
Spring Break (University open; no classes) Sunday, March 10 – Sunday, March 17
Classes Resume Monday, March 18
Last day to Withdraw from a Class with a W Friday, March 22 at 5:00 p.m.
Registration for Summer 2019 semester begins April 10
Registration for Fall 2019 semester begins April 10
Deadline for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations Friday, March 29 at 5:00 p.m.
Constructive Monday (Monday classes meet; no other classes meet) Wednesday, April 24
Last day of classes (includes make-up for holiday) Wednesday, April 24
Deadline for Submitting Exam Deferral Requests Wednesday, April 24
Reading period Thursday, April 25 – Monday, April 29
Examinations begin Tuesday, April 30
Examinations end Thursday, May 9
Final Due Date for All Assessments without an Earlier Deadline Thursday, May 9
May Graduates Grades Due Monday, May 13
WCL Official Degree Award Date Sunday, May 19
Commencement Sunday, May 19
Deadline for In Progress Grades from Previous Semester. Missing grades will convert to an F after this date. Friday, June 7
Fall 2018
Event/Deadline Date(s)
In My Backyard (IMBY) Day of Service Monday, August 20
Orientation for New Part-Time JD Students Tuesday, August 21 – Thursday, August 23 (evenings) and Saturday August 25 (day)
Orientation for New Full-Time JD Students Tuesday, August 21 – Friday, August 24
Orientation for Transfer JD Students Thursday, August 23
Orientation for New LLM Students Tuesday, August 21 – Wednesday, August 22
Orientation for New SJD Candidates TBD
First Day of Classes Friday, August 24
Add/drop period Friday, August 24 – Thursday, August 30 at 11:59 p.m.
Labor Day holiday (University closed; no classes) Monday, September 3
Last Day to add externship credits, independent studies, moot court, mock trial, or journal credits Friday, September 14
Yom Kippur (University open; no classes) Wednesday, September 19
Registration for Spring 2019 semester begins Thursday, November 8
Last day to Withdraw from a Class with a W Friday, November 2 at 5:00 p.m.
Deadline for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations Friday, November 2 at 5:00 p.m.
Thanksgiving holiday (University closed; classes rescheduled on Tuesday, December 4) Thursday, November 22 – Sunday, November 25
Constructive Thursday (Thursday classes meet; no other classes meet) Tuesday, December 4
Last day of classes (regular Wednesday classes meet) Wednesday, December 5
Deadline for Submitting Exam Deferral Request> Wednesday, December 5
Reading Period Thursday, December 6 – Monday, December 10
Examinations Tuesday, December 11
Examinations end Thursday, December 20
Final Due Date for All Assessments without an Earlier Deadline Thursday, December 20
WCL Official Degree Award Date Friday, December 21
Winter break (University closed; no classes) Monday, December 24 – Tuesday, January 1
December Graduates Grades Due Wednesday, January 9
Deadline for Pending Grades from Previous Semester. Missing grades will convert to an F after this date. Friday, January 18

 

Summer 2018
Event/Deadline Date(s)
Memorial Day Holiday (University closed; classes rescheduled on June 1) Monday, May 28
First day of classes Tuesday, May 29
Add/drop period Tuesday, May 29 - Saturday, June 2 at 11:59 p.m.
Make-up for Memorial Day (Monday classes meet) Friday, June 1
Independence Day (University closed; classes rescheduled on July 6) Wednesday, July 4
Make-up for Independence Day (Wednesday classes meet) Friday, July 6
Deadline for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations Friday, July 13 at 5:00 p.m.
Last day of classes Saturday, July 28
Deadline for Submitting Exam Deferral Requests Saturday, July 28
Reading Period Sunday, July 29 - Tuesday, July 31
Examinations Begin Wednesday, August 1
Examinations End Monday, August 6
WCL Official Degree Award Date Saturday, August 18
Spring 2018
Event/Deadline Date(s)
Orientation for New LLM Students Friday, January 5
First day of classes Monday, January 8
Add/drop period Monday, January 8 - Saturday, January 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (University closed; classes rescheduled on April 23) Monday, January 15
Spring Break Sunday, March 11 - Sunday, March 18
Registration for Summer 2018 semester begins Thursday, April 12
Registration for Fall 2018 semester begins Thursday, April 19
Deadline for Non-Native English Speakers to request examination accommodations Friday, March 30 at 5:00 p.m.
Monday classes meet (make-up for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) Monday, April 23
Last day of classes (includes make-up for holiday) Monday, April 23
Deadline for Submitting Exam Deferral Requests Monday, April 23
Reading period Tuesday, April 24 - Sunday, April 29
Examinations begin Monday, April 30
Examinations end Saturday, May 12
WCL Official Degree Award Date Sunday, May 20
Commencement Sunday, May 20

Washington College of Law Founded February 1, 1896

Ellen Spencer Mussey and Emma M. Gillett hold the first Woman's Law Class, using Mussey's law office as a classroom. In April 1898, The District of Columbia incorporates WCL. It is the first law school in the world founded by women - and the first one with a female dean. The school begins as a parttime evening school for whites only. Mussey becomes the first woman dean of a law school in the United States.