The University provides a year round instructional program consisting of fall and spring semesters and a summer session. WKU also offers a winter session, three 5-week sessions in spring, summer and fall terms, and bi-term courses during the fall and spring semesters. The academic year at WKU is divided into two semesters consisting of sixteen weeks, a thirteen-week summer session, and a three-week winter session. The opening and closing dates are listed below.
Fall Semester 2026
Calendar | Event | Date |
| Classes Begin (Full-Term, 1st Bi-Term, 5-Week Session 1) | Monday, August 24 |
| Labor Day (University closed) | Monday, September 7 |
| 5-Week Session 1 Ends | Friday, September 25 |
| 5-Week Session 2 Begins | Monday, September 28 |
| Fall Break (University closed) | Monday-Tuesday, October 5-6 |
| 1st Bi-Term Finals | Thursday-Friday, October 15-16 |
| 2nd Bi-Term Begins | Monday, October 19 |
| 5-Week Session 2 Ends | Friday, October 30 |
| 5-Week Session 3 Begins | Monday, November 2 |
| Thanksgiving Holiday (University closed) | Wednesday-Friday, November 25-27 |
| 5-Week Session 3 Ends | Thursday, December 10 |
| Final Examinations | Monday-Thursday, December 7-10 |
| 2nd Bi-Term Finals | Wednesday-Thursday, December 9-10 |
| College Recognition Ceremonies | Friday, December 11 |
| Final Grades Due (noon) | Tuesday, December 15 |
Winter Term 2027
Calendar | Event | Date |
| 3-Week and 5-Week Sessions Begin | Monday, December 14 |
| Winter Break (University closed-Winter Session Classes in Session) | December 21-January 1 |
| 3-Week Session Ends | Saturday, January 2 |
| 2-Week Session Begins | Monday, January 4 |
| 2-Week and 5-Week Sessions End | Saturday, January 16 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day (University closed) | Monday, January 18 |
| Final Grades Due (noon) | Tuesday, January 19 |
Spring Semester 2027
Calendar | Event | Date |
| Classes Begin (Full-Term, 1st Bi-Term, 5-Week Session 1) | Tuesday, January 19 |
| 5-Week Session 1 Ends | Friday, February 19 |
| 5-Week Session 2 Begins | Monday, February 22 |
| 1st Bi-Term Finals | Thursday-Friday, March 11-12 |
| Spring Break | Monday-Friday, March 15-19 (University closed Wednesday-Friday, March 17-19) |
| 2nd Bi-Term Begins | Monday, March 22 |
| 5-Week Session 2 Ends | Friday, April 2 |
| 5-Week Session 3 Begins | Monday, April 5 |
| Final Examinations | Monday-Thursday, May 3-6 |
| 2nd Bi-Term Finals | Wednesday-Thursday, May 5-6 |
| 5 Week Session 3 Ends | Thursday, May 6 |
| Commencement | Thursday, May 6 |
| College Recognition Ceremonies | Friday, May 7 |
| Final Grades Due (noon) | Tuesday, May 11 |
Summer Term 2027
Calendar | Event | Date |
| Classes Begin | Monday, May 10 |
| Memorial Day (University closed) | Monday, May 24 |
| Juneteenth Holiday (University closed) | Friday, June 18 |
| Independence Day (University closed) | Friday, July 2 |
| Summer Term Ends | Friday, August 9 |
