Academic Transformation

On August 23, 2027, Drexel will adopt a semester calendar in all programs. The shift to semesters will reshape the rhythm of our academic year and expand students’ opportunities — giving them more time for deeper learning, more flexibility to plan co-op and global experiences, and a calendar that better aligns with most institutions nationwide.

Note: Graduate and professional programs that already follow a semester calendar will continue according to program-specific guidance.

Switching to a semester calendar means longer terms, which gives students more time to dive into course material, connect ideas across subjects, and get support if they need to adjust their academic plan. It’s about creating space for deeper learning and less stress.

Students will also benefit from:

• Simpler scheduling: Fewer terms per year means less complexity when planning classes, co-ops, or study abroad.
• More partnership potential: The new calendar will more closely align with other universities’ and co-op employers’ calendars, making collaborations easier.
• More flexibility in summer: Whether students want to take classes, go on co-op, travel, or take a break, summer will offer more options.
• Expanded academic opportunities: As part of the shift, Drexel is reviewing and enhancing its curriculum to make it more flexible, consistent, and aligned with students' goals.

Other universities that have made this switch have seen improvements in student retention and graduation rates, and we’re learning from their successes to make this transition as smooth and beneficial as possible.

The following are just a few examples of the many semester schedule options that undergraduates may pursue after the calendar transition.

• 4 Years, No Co-op
• 4 Years, 1 Spring Co-op
• 5 Years, 2 Fall Co-ops New!
• 5 Years, 3 Fall Co-ops
• 5 Years, 3 Spring Co-ops
• View All Undergraduate Semester Schedules 

• We are redesigning our curriculum to increase flexibility for students, support student learning outcomes and integrate core competencies — a foundational set of three knowledge areas with different levels of mastery.
• We are embedding interdisciplinary and experiential learning into all undergraduate program curricula.
• Incoming students in the Fall of 2027 and later will be required to complete core competencies and to complete at least one Experiential Learning Opportunity (ELO) during their time at Drexel. These requirements will not affect students enrolled before Fall 2027.

• A flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum: Explore interests across fields, double major with ease, and leave with a degree that reflects your unique passions and career goals.
• All-new curricula and classes: Students will experience courses designed with insight from industry leaders and programs designed around up-to-date insights.
• Core competencies that drive long-term success: Graduates will leave with the skills employers want most in any career.
• Curricular flexibility: Our new curriculum will be more flexible and easier for students to navigate, allowing them to customize their degree based on their interests.

Several of Drexel’s colleges and schools are integrating to enhance the student experience by streamlining resources, improving support services, and expanding academic opportunities. These integrations will create new opportunities for discovery, learning and impact that transcend traditional academic silos.

The integrations are as follows:

• Uniting the School of Engineering, School of Computer & Information Sciences, and School of Biomedical Engineering & Science into the new College of Engineering and Computing
• School of Education joining the College of Arts and Sciences
• Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship joining the LeBow College of Business
• AJ Drexel Autism Institute joining the Dornsife School of Public Health

• Clearer academic pathways: It’ll be easier to explore majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs without hitting roadblocks, which means less stress as students plan their academic journey.
• More collaboration across departments: Students will see more integrated courses and shared learning experiences.
• Stronger connections to research and innovation: Students will  benefit from faculty working together across fields, opening up new opportunities for hands-on learning and discovery. 

• Fall 2025: Faculty began redesigning programs and courses to be more flexible, incorporate more opportunities for experiential learning and work with the new semester calendar.
• Summer 2026 onward: Advisors will work with students to plan their academic path on the semester calendar.
• Summer 2027: A one-time transition term will align quarter-based programs with the new semester calendar, structured to minimize disruption and maintain students’ progress toward their degree.
• August 23, 2027: Semester calendar officially begins.

• Summer 2025: The integration process began. Behind the scenes, academic leaders and staff started aligning administrative structures. Enrollment teams began sharing information about the new academic units with prospective students, highlighting the benefits and opportunities.
• Fall 2025–Summer 2026: You may notice gradual changes in how departments collaborate, communicate and support students, faculty and professional staff, ensuring a more consistent experience across units.
• September 1, 2026: The integration will be fully implemented. By this time, our community will start to see more collaboration within the unified academic unit and access to additional resources.
• August 2027: With the move to semesters, students will also start to see clearer, more flexible pathways across programs.

Follow the link below for the expanded implementation timeline.