Introducing the Semester Academic Calendar

Guided by a commitment to innovation and the evolving needs of future generations, Drexel will transition to a semester calendar for all undergraduate and graduate programs beginning in August 2027. This transformation represents more than a shift in scheduling — it's an opportunity to reimagine the Drexel experience. The semester calendar will foster greater collaboration, create more flexible academic pathways, and deepen the learning experience both inside and outside the classroom. It will also expand opportunities for experiential learning, empowering students to connect knowledge with real-world impact on a global scale.

Flexibility and Options

The semester calendar is designed to help students achieve even greater success as they progress toward graduation. With more time to immerse themselves in their studies, students will have increased flexibility to tailor their academic pathways to meet their individual goals. This structure also makes it easier for students to plan co-ops and other activities around their coursework. As Drexel expands its Experiential Learning Opportunities — including interdisciplinary research, industry partnerships, project-based learning, and global programs — these initiatives will be more seamlessly integrated into the new academic calendar.

The semester system also supports a smoother transition for transfer students, allowing for easier evaluation of previously completed semester-based coursework. Additionally, the semester calendar creates opportunities during the summer for students to relax, recharge, or engage in new academic and co-curricular experiences at Drexel.

Experience: The Cornerstone

Transitioning to a semester calendar positions Drexel to be in greater alignment with the global academic landscape. This new structure will enable deeper collaboration across our extensive network of academic and industry partners worldwide. In keeping with Drexel’s legacy as a global leader in experiential education, Drexel’s Co-op program will remain a cornerstone of the student experience, continuing to provide invaluable real-world learning opportunities. Under the semester calendar, co-op start and end dates will align more closely with industry hiring cycles, making it easier for employers to onboard and offboard students throughout the year.

Beyond co-op, this curricular innovation will strengthen partnerships with institutions across the nation and around the world, expanding opportunities for global engagement, academic collaboration, and student mobility.

Semester Calendar Plans

Beginning in the 2027–28 academic year, Drexel will offer more ways for students to experience life as a Dragon on a semester-based education. While in many cases you can choose the number of co-op experiences that best fit your goals, the timing of each co-op is predetermined and illustrated in the five academic schedule samples below. To explore all possible options, open the accordions for a full list of potential pathways. For most students, completing degree requirements will involve eight semesters of full-time study. Tuition is charged for the courses in which students are enrolled, and there are no tuition charges during co-op experiences.