TIMELINE & IMPORTANT DATES
MS Program Timeline
2026-27 Important Dates
Fall 2026 Important Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Friday, September 18, 2026 | Fall Registration Begins (Department will register new students) |
| Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | MS Neurobiology Student Orientation 9:30am–12:15pm |
| Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | Fall Classes Begin |
| Friday, October 23, 2026 | Student Advisor Agreement Form Due |
| Monday, November 16, 2026 | Registration for Winter Quarter Begins |
| Wednesday, November 25, 2026 | Thanksgiving Vacation Begins at 6pm |
| Monday, November 30, 2026 | Fall Classes Resume |
| Friday, December 4, 2026 | Seminar Attendance Summaries Due, Last Day of Class |
| Monday, December 7, 2026 | Fall Exams Begin |
| Friday, December 11, 2026 | Fall Exams End |
| Thursday, December 24, 2026 | Winter Recess Begins |
Winter 2027 Important Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Monday, January 4, 2027 | Winter Classes Begin |
| Monday, January 18, 2027 | University Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Friday, January 29, 2027 | Thesis Proposal Form Due |
| Friday, February 5, 2027 | Application for Degree Form Due in GSP for Spring Graduates |
| Monday, February 22, 2027 | Registration for Spring Quarter Begins |
| Friday, March 12, 2027 | Seminar Attendance Summaries Due, Last Day of Class |
| Monday, March 15, 2027 | Winter Exams Begin |
| Friday, March 19, 2027 | Winter Exams End, Spring Break Begins |
Spring 2027 Deadlines
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, March 30, 2027 | Spring Classes Begin (Northwestern Monday Schedule) |
| Monday, April 5, 2027 | Summer Registration Begins |
| Friday, April 30, 2027 | Thesis Defense Approval Form Due in GSP for Spring Graduates |
| Friday, May 14, 2027 | Master’s Degree Completion Form Due in GSP for Spring Graduates |
| Monday, May 31, 2027 | University Closed for Memorial Day |
| Friday, June 4, 2027 | Seminar Attendance Summaries Due, Last Day of Class |
| Monday, June 7, 2027 | Spring Exams Begin |
| Friday, June 11, 2027 | Spring Exams End |
| June 11–14, 2027 | Graduation Weekend |
| Friday, June 18, 2027 | University Closed for Juneteenth |
Summer 2027 Deadlines
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Monday, June 21, 2027 | Summer Classes Begin |
| Monday, July 5, 2027 | University Closed for Independence Day |
| Friday, July 9, 2027 | Application for Degree Form Due in GSP for Summer Graduates |
| Friday, August 13, 2027 | Thesis Defense Approval Form Due in GSP for Summer Graduates |
| Friday, August 20, 2027 | Master’s Degree Completion Form Due in GSP for Summer Graduates |
| Friday, August 27, 2027 | Summer Classes End |