HLS Academic Calendar 2023-2024

HLS Academic Calendar – See the official Havard Law School academic calendar showing important dates, academic events, and deadlines.

The Harvard Law School (HLS) Academic Calendar provides key dates and deadlines for students to be aware of throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. Following a carefully planned schedule, the calendar outlines mandatory programming, class sessions, vacations and breaks, and examination periods for HLS’s Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree programs.

The calendar kicks off in August 2023 with move-in dates and orientation programming for incoming J.D. first-year students (1Ls) and LL.M. students. After orientation wraps up, fall classes commence near the end of August for 1Ls and early September for upper-level J.D. students. Significant dates during the fall term include university holidays, a J.D. second-year (2L) orientation requirement, and the conclusion of the term in mid-December after 1L and upper-level exam periods.

Following a winter break, the spring 2024 term launches in early January with a single winter session for upper-level students. The winter term overlaps with the start of spring classes for 1Ls and concludes by late January when the main spring session begins for all students. Final exams take place in late April through mid-May, concluding the academic year with Harvard’s university-wide commencement ceremony on May 23, 2024.

HLS Academic Calendar

2023

• August 14, 2023 – LL.M. Residence Hall Move-in
• August 14-15, 2023 – LL.M. Check-in (mandatory)
• August 15 – September 1, 2023 – LL.M. Student Orientation (mandatory)
• August 17 and 21, 2023 – J.D. 1L Residence Hall Move-in
• August 17, 18, and 21, 2023 – University ID card Pick-up (mandatory)
• August 21, 2023 – J.D. Student Orientation Activities (optional)
• August 22 – 28, 2023 – J.D. Student Orientation Activities (mandatory)
• August 30, 2023 – 1L Fall Term Classes Begin (follow Monday schedule)
• September 4, 2023 – Labor Day – No Classes; University administrative offices will be closed
• September 5, 2023 – Fall Term Upper-level Classes Begin
• September 28, 29 and October 1, 2023 – Mandatory J.D. 2L Orientation (students will select one of three dates)
• October 9, 2023 – Columbus Day (Federal)/Indigenous Peoples’ Day (City of Cambridge) – No Classes; University administrative offices will be closed
• October 10, 2023 – ALL Upper-level classes are in session following a MONDAY schedule; 1L classes will NOT meet
• November 10, 2023 – Veteran’s Day Observed – All classes meet on regular schedule; University Administrative offices will be closed
• November 22 – 24, 2023 – Thanksgiving Recess
• November 29, 2023 – Fall Term Classes End for 1Ls
• November 30 – December 7, 2023 – 1L Reading Period
• December 1, 2023 – Fall Term Classes End for Upper-Level Students
• December 2 – 5, 2023 – Upper-level Reading Day
• December 6 – 15, 2023 – Upper-level Fall Term Exam Period
• December 8 – 15, 2023 – 1L Fall Term Exam Period
• December 16, 2023 – January 1, 2024 – Winter Break

2024

• January 2, 2024 – Winter Term Classes Begin
• January 15, 2024 – Martin Luther King Day – Holiday for All Students
• January 17, 2024 – Final day for all 1L JET Winter Term Academic Programming
• January 17, 2024 – Winter Term Classes End for Upper-level Students
• January 18, 2024 – Upper-level Reading Day
• January 19, 2024 – Upper-level Winter Term Exams; Winter Term Clinical Work Ends; Final day for all Upper-level Winter Term Academic Programming
• January 22, 2024 – All Spring Term Classes Begin
• February 19, 2024 – Presidents Day – All classes meet on regular schedule; University Administrative offices will be closed
• March 9 – 17, 2024 – Spring Break
• April 19, 2024 – Spring Term Classes End for All Students
• April 24 – May 3, 2024 – Upper-level and 1L Elective Spring Term Exam Period
• May 6 – 10, 2024 – 1L Required Courses Spring Term Exam Period
• May 23, 2024 – Harvard University Commencement

Conclusion

In summary, the HLS Academic Calendar provides a comprehensive scheduling roadmap for law students navigating their mandatory degree requirements and activities throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. Key dates and deadlines are marked so students can plan accordingly.