Rice University Academic Calendar 2023-2024

Rice Academic Calendar – See the official Rice University academic calendar showing important dates, academic events, and deadlines.

Are you in search of the Rice University Academic Calendar? If you are, then you have come to the right page. In this post, you will find the complete 2023-2024 academic calendar for Rice University. All deadlines, important dates, and mandatory schedules are contained in the academic calendar.

Rice University is a private research university located in Houston. Founded in 1912 by businessman William Marsh Rice. The university is nationally recognised as one of the outstanding undergraduate institutions. The university uses a well-structured semester calendar which comprises fall, spring and Summer semesters. In this post, you will find the 2023-2024 Rice University’s academic calendar.

Rice Academic Calendar: Fall Semester 2023

• August 13-19, 2023 – Orientation Week for New Students
• August 14, 2023 – Fall Registration: Course Request Period begins for incoming undergraduate students
• August 17, 2023 – Deadline: Course Request Period ends for incoming undergraduate students at 12:00 p.m.
• August 17, 2023 – Fall Registration: Add/Drop Period begins for incoming graduate students at 5:00 p.m.
• August 17, 2023 – Fall Registration: Add/Drop Period begins for incoming undergraduate students at 7:00 p.m.
• August 21, 2023 – FIRST DAY OF CLASSES – START OF THE FALL SEMESTER — BEGINNING OF INSTRUCTION
• August 21-September 1, 2023 – Fall Registration Continues: Late Registration continues for undergraduate, graduate, and visiting students; Late Registration Fee increases to $125
• August 25, 2023 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit final grades to resolve “Incomplete” (INC) grades for courses taken in previous Spring semester
• August 25, 2023 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit final grades to resolve “Other” (OT) and “Incomplete” (INC) grades for courses taken in previous Summer semester
• September 1, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to add courses online via ESTHER
• September 1, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to adjust variable credit for courses online via ESTHER
• September 1, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to complete late registration online via ESTHER
• September 1, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to convert a “Pass/Fail” to an earned letter grade for courses taken in previous Spring or Summer semester
• September 1, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 100% refund of tuition and fees
• September 1, 2023 – Deadline: Last day for tuition adjustment for part-time students
• September 4, 2023 – LABOR DAY (HOLIDAY – NO SCHEDULED CLASSES)
• September 8, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 70% refund of tuition
• September 15, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 60% refund of tuition
• September 22, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 50% refund of tuition
• September 29, 2023 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for undergraduate-level students to submit an online Application for Degree for December (Fall) degree conferral with the Office of the Registrar via ESTHER
• September 29, 2023 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for graduate-level students to submit an online Application for Degree for December (Fall) degree conferral with the Office of the Registrar via ESTHER
• September 29, 2023 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for graduate-level December (Fall) degree candidates to file the following applicable forms in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (see GPS Forms page) for December (Fall) degree conferral: Thesis Master’s Candidacy Petition Form, Non-Thesis Master’s Petition for Certification Form, Candidacy Master’s Degree Form, Doctoral Candidacy Petition Form
• September 29, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 40% refund of tuition
• October 1, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to submit New Course Request Forms to the Academic Deans for SCRC review (for new courses in the upcoming Spring semester)
• October 6, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses online via ESTHER (full-term courses)
• October 6, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to designate as “Audit” a course in which one is currently registered for credit (via Special Registration Form; Instructor Permission Required)
• October 6, 2023 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit Mid-Semester Grades for first-year undergraduate students online via ESTHER
• October 6, 2023 – Deadline: College course plans due to Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) for following Spring semester
• October 6, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 30% refund of tuition
• October 9-10, 2023 – MIDTERM RECESS (NO SCHEDULED CLASSES)
• October 13, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 20% refund of tuition
• October 20, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 10% refund of tuition
• October 25, 2023 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for Rice faculty Official Certifiers to review, submit petitions, and certify undergraduate and graduate-level December (Fall) degree candidates via Degree Works
• October 27, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to designate a full-term course status to “Pass/Fail” option
• October 27, 2023 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for undergraduate-level December (Fall) degree candidates to declare any additional, major, minor or university certificates, if applicable
• October 27, 2023 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for undergraduate-level students to submit an online Application for Degree for a May (Spring) degree conferral with the Office of the Registrar via ESTHER
• October 27, 2023 – Spring Registration: Spring 2024 Course Schedule published to courses.rice.edu
• October 27, 2023 – Spring Registration: Course Request Period begins for undergraduate students November 1, 2023 – Advising Day to be held in the residential colleges from 11:30am-1:30pm. More information here.
• November 8, 2023 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit textbook orders for upcoming Spring to 1545txt@follett.com
• November 10, 2023 – Spring Registration: Course Request Period ends for undergraduate students at 5:00 p.m.
• November 13, 2023 – Spring Registration: Spring Registration begins for currently enrolled graduate and undergraduate professional (BArch) students at 5:00 p.m.
• November 15, 2023 – Spring Registration: Add/Drop Period begins for undergraduate students at 7:00 a.m.
• November 17, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to register for the upcoming Spring semester without a $75 Late Registration Fee
• November 18, 2023 – Late Registration Begins: Continuing students that have not registered for any Spring classes are charged a $75 Late Registration Fee to add classes
• November 22-24, 2023 – THANKSGIVING RECESS (HOLIDAY – NO SCHEDULED CLASSES)
• December 1, 2023 – LAST DAY OF CLASSES
• December 1, 2023 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses (for Fall undergraduate matriculants only) – students must go to the Office of the Registrar or submit the Special Registration Form to registrar@rice.edu by 4:00 p.m.
• December 1, 2023 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for graduate-level students to submit thesis in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for December (Fall) degree conferral by 12:00 noon
• December 2-5, 2023 – Study Days (NO EXAMS)
• December 5, 2023 – GRADUATION: December Commencement Ceremony (for Summer and Fall 2023 degree recipients). Please visit commencement.rice.edu for more information
• December 6-12, 2023 – Final Examinations for all undergraduate courses
• December 8, 2023 – Summer Registration: Registration for Summer 2024 begins for currently enrolled degree-seeking Rice undergraduate and graduate students via ESTHER
• December 8, 2023 – Applications: Visiting student application process opens for Summer 2024
• December 12, 2023 – END OF FALL SEMESTER
• December 20, 2023 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit Final Grades for all students online via ESTHER
• January 5, 2024 – GRADUATION: Degrees Awarded for December (Fall) degree recipients
  {with a degree conferral date of December 30, 2023}

Rice Academic Calendar: Spring Semester 2024

• January 8, 2024 – FIRST DAY OF CLASSES – START OF THE SPRING SEMESTER — BEGINNING OF INSTRUCTION
• January 8-19, 2024 – Spring Registration Continues: Late Registration continues for undergraduate, graduate, and visiting students; Late Registration Fee increases to $125
• January 12, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit final grades to resolve “Other” (OT) grades for courses taken in previous Fall semester
• January 15, 2024 – MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY (HOLIDAY – NO SCHEDULED CLASSES)
• January 19, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to add courses online via ESTHER
• January 19, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to adjust variable credit for courses online via ESTHER
• January 19, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to complete late registration online via ESTHER
• January 19, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to convert a “Pass/Fail” to an earned letter grade for courses taken in previous Fall semester
• January 19, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit final grades to resolve “Incomplete” (INC) grades for courses taken in previous Fall semester
• January 19, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 100% refund of tuition and fees
• January 19, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for tuition adjustment for part-time students
• January 19, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for graduate-level students to submit an online Application for Degree for May (Spring) degree conferral with the Office of the Registrar either in-person or via email to registrar@rice.edu
• January 26, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 70% refund of tuition
• February 2, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 60% refund of tuition
• February 8, 2024 – All classes normally held on Monday meet; This Thursday Spring Recess day to be used for classes on Mondays in Spring 2024 (to balance for Solar Eclipse Day (Mon., April 8); per Faculty Senate decision (12/01/2021)
• February 9, 2024 – SPRING RECESS (NO SCHEDULED CLASSES)
• February 9, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 50% refund of tuition
• February 14, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for Rice faculty Official Certifiers to review, submit petitions, and certify undergraduate and graduate-level May (Spring) degree candidates via Degree Works
• February 16, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 40% refund of tuition
• February 23, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses online via ESTHER (full-term courses)
• February 23, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to designate as “Audit” a course in which one is currently registered for credit (via Special Registration Form – Instructor Permission Required)
• February 23, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit Mid-Semester Grades for first-year undergraduate students online via ESTHER
• February 23, 2024 – Deadline: College course plans due to the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) for following Fall semester
• February 23, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit textbook orders for upcoming Summer to 1545txt@follett.com
• February 23, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 30% refund of tuition
• February 23, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for graduate-level May (Spring) degree to file the following applicable forms in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (see GPS Forms page) for May (Spring) degree conferral: Thesis Master’s Candidacy Petition Form, Non-Thesis Master’s Petition for Certification Form, Candidacy Master’s Degree Form, Doctoral Candidacy Petition Form
• March 1, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 20% refund of tuition
• March 1, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to submit New Course Request Forms to the Academic Deans for SCRC review (for new courses in the upcoming Fall semester)
• March 8, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for second-year undergraduate students to formally declare their official major with the Office of the Registrar via a Declaration of Major Form
• March 8, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 10% refund of tuition
• March 9-17, 2024 – SPRING BREAK (NO SCHEDULED CLASSES)
• March 22, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to designate a full-term course status to “Pass/Fail” option
• March 22, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses (for 1st year, 2nd semester (previous Fall) undergraduate matriculants only). Students must go to the Office of the Registrar or submit the Special Registration Form to registrar@rice.edu by 4:00 p.m.
• March 22, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for undergraduate-level May (Spring) degree candidates to declare any additional major, minor or university certificates, if applicable
• March 22, 2024 – Fall Registration: Fall 2024 Course Schedule published to courses.rice.edu
• March 22, 2024 – Fall Registration: Course Request Period begins for undergraduate students
• March 27, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit textbook orders for upcoming Fall to 1545txt@follett.com
• April 5, 2024 – Fall Registration: Course Request Period ends for undergraduate students at 5:00 p.m.
• April 8, 2024 – SOLAR ECLIPSE DAY: No Scheduled Classes
• April 8, 2024 – Fall Registration: Fall Registration begins for currently enrolled graduate, and undergraduate professional (BArch) students at 5:00 p.m.
• April 10, 2024 – Fall Registration: Add/Drop Period begins for undergraduate students at 7:00 a.m.
• April 12, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to register for the upcoming Fall semester without a $75 Late Registration Fee
• April 13, 2024 – Late Registration Begins: Continuing students that have not registered for any Fall classes are charged a $75 Late Registration Fee to add classes
• April 19, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses (for Spring undergraduate matriculants only) – students must go to the Office of the Registrar or submit the Special Registration Form to registrar@rice.edu by 4:00 p.m.
• April 19, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for graduate-level students to submit thesis in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for May (Spring) degree conferral by 12:00 noon
• April 19, 2024 – LAST DAY OF CLASSES — END OF INSTRUCTION
• April 20-23, 2024 – Study Days (NO EXAMS)
• April 24, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for academic departments to submit to the Provost’s Office their proposed list of degree candidates to receive the university honor of Distinction in Research and Creative Work
• April 24-30, 2024 – Final Examinations for all undergraduate courses
• April 30, 2024 – END OF THE SPRING SEMESTER
• May 3, 2024 – GRADUATION: Rice University’s 111th Commencement — Jones School (MBA) Commencement Ceremony — Rice Stadium (Evening)
• May 4, 2024 – GRADUATION: Rice University’s 111th Commencement — Doctoral Commencement Ceremony — Tudor Fieldhouse (Morning)
• May 4, 2024 – GRADUATION: Rice University’s 111th Commencement — Advanced Degree Commencement Ceremony — Tudor Fieldhouse (Afternoon)
• May 4, 2024 – GRADUATION: Rice University’s 111th Commencement — Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony — Rice Stadium (Evening). Please visit commencement.rice.edu for more information
• May 8, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit Spring semester final grades for all students online via ESTHER by 5:00 p.m.
• May 10, 2024 – Deadline: (May Undergraduate Degree Candidates only) Last day to convert a “Pass/Fail” to an earned letter grade for courses taken in Spring semester
• May 20, 2024 – GRADUATION: Degrees awarded for May (Spring) degree recipients — {with a degree conferral date of May 4, 2024}
• June 7, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit final grades to resolve “Other” (OT) grades for courses taken in the Spring semester
• June 28, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for all undergraduate-level students to submit an online Application for Degree (accessible in ESTHER) for an August (Summer) degree conferral with the Office of the Registrar via ESTHER
• June 28, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for graduate-level students to submit an online Application for Degree for August (Summer) degree conferral with the Office of the Registrar via ESTHER
• June 28, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day to file for graduate-level August (Summer) degree candidates to file the following applicable forms in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (see GPS Forms page) for August (Summer) degree conferral: Thesis Master’s Candidacy Petition Form, Non-Thesis Master’s Petition for Certification Form, Candidacy Master’s Degree Form, Doctoral Candidacy Petition Form
• July 24, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for Rice faculty Official Certifiers to review, submit petitions, and certify undergraduate and graduate-level August (Summer) degree candidates via Degree Works
• August 9, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for graduate-level students to submit thesis in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for August (Summer) degree conferral by 12:00 noon
• August 9, 2024 – Graduation Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit final grades to resolve “Incomplete” (INC) grades for courses taken in the Spring semester (by Summer degree candidates) for (Summer degree candidates)
• August 23, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit final grades to resolve “Incomplete” (INC) grades for courses taken in the Spring semester

Rice Academic Calendar: Summer Semester 2024

• December 8, 2023 – Summer Registration: Registration for Summer 2024 begins for currently enrolled degree-seeking Rice undergraduate and graduate students via ESTHER
• December 8, 2023 – Applications: Visiting student application process opens for Summer 2024
• April 29, 2024 – FIRST DAY OF CLASSES — START OF FULL SUMMER TERM
• April 29, 2024 – Summer Registration Continues: Late Registration continues for undergraduate and graduate students online via ESTHER
• May 10, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses online via ESTHER with a 100% refund of tuition for the Full Summer Session
• May 17, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses online via ESTHER with an 80% refund of tuition for the Full Summer Session
  May 24, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses online via ESTHER with a 70% refund of tuition for the Full Summer Session
• May 27, 2024 – MEMORIAL DAY (HOLIDAY): No Scheduled Classes
• May 31, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses online via ESTHER with a 60% refund of tuition for the Full Summer Session
• June 7, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses online via ESTHER with a 50% refund of tuition for the Full Summer Session
• June 14, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses online via ESTHER for the Full Summer Session
• June 14, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to drop courses online via ESTHER with a 40% refund of tuition for the Full Summer Session
• June 19, 2024 – JUNETEENTH (DAY OF OBSERVANCE – NO SCHEDULED CLASSES)
• July 4, 2024 – INDEPENDENCE DAY (HOLIDAY – NO SCHEDULED CLASSES)
• July 5, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to designate a course as “Pass/Fail” for Full Summer Session by paper form at the Office of the Registrar (Rice degree-seeking students only)
• August 9, 2024 – Deadline: Last day to add courses online via ESTHER for the Full Summer Session
• August 9, 2024 – LAST DAY OF CLASSES — END OF FULL SUMMER TERM
• August 16, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit Summer semester final grades for all students online via ESTHER by 5:00 p.m.
• August 30, 2024 – Deadline: Last day for instructors to submit final grades to resolve “Other” (OT) and “Incomplete” (INC) grades for courses taken in previous Summer semester