Academic Calendar

Bethel operates on an early semester calendar with two 15-week semesters and a three-week session in January. Bethel offers five summer sessions.

Fall Semester 2025

Residence halls open (new students) August 23
Residence halls open, noon (returning students) August 24
Classes begin August 27
Labor Day September 1
Last day to add/drop a first-half or full-term course September 3
Fall break October 10
Homecoming October 17-19
Family Weekend October 17-19
Last day to withdraw from a first-half of term course October 10
Last day of first half term courses October 20
Advising Day (no day classes; night classes are held) October 22
First day of Second half term courses October 23
Last day to add/drop a second-half of term course October 30
Registration for January Session and Spring November 4, 6, 11, & 13
Thanksgiving break begins (Tuesday night classes are held) November 26
Last day to withdraw from a full-term course November 28
Classes resume December 1
Festival of Christmas December 4-6
Last day to withdraw from a second-half of term course December 12
Last day of classes December 12
Final examinations December 15, 16, 18, & 19
Study day December 17
Commencement December 19
Residence halls close, noon December 20

January Session 2026

Residence halls open, noon January 4
Classes begin January 5
Last day to add/drop a course January 7
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no classes) January 19
Last day to withdraw from a course January 18
Last day of classes January 27

Spring Semester 2026

Classes begin February 2
Last day to add/drop a first-half or full-term course February 9
Spring Break March 16-20
Spring break ends/Classes resume March 23
Last day to withdraw from a first-half of term course March 20
Last day of first half term courses March 27
First day of second half term courses March 30
Last day to add/drop a second-half of term course April 6
Good Friday (no classes) April 3
Monday after Easter (no classes) April 6
Registration for Summer and Fall April 21, 23, 28, & 30
Last day to withdraw from a full-term course May 1
Last day to withdraw from a second-half of term course May 15
Last day of classes May 15
Final examinations May 18, 19, 21, & 22
Study day May 20
Senior Celebration May 22
Commencement May 23
Residence halls close for returning students, noon May 23
Residence halls close for graduating seniors, noon May 24

Summer School 2026

Term A start date (Term end dates vary by course) May 26
Term B start date (Term end dates vary by course) June 17
Term C start date (Term end dates vary by course) June 17
Term D start date (Term end dates vary by course) May 26
Term E start date (Term end dates vary by course) June 17

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