Important Dates
Key dates and deadlines for the current academic terms — registration, defense, graduation clearance, and commencement.
Dates & deadlines
At Jackson State University, it is important to stay informed and be aware of important dates and deadlines related to your academic program, financial aid, and other university-related matters.
Some important dates to keep in mind include:
- Application deadlines: the deadline for submitting your application for admission to the university; varies by program and level of study.
- Financial aid deadlines: the deadline for submitting your financial aid application; varies by program and level of study.
- Registration deadlines: the deadline for registering for classes for a given semester or term.
- Payment deadlines: the deadline for paying tuition and fees for a given semester or term.
- Withdrawal deadlines: the deadline for withdrawing from a class or the university without penalty.
- Graduation application deadlines: the deadline for submitting your graduation application; varies by program and level of study.
- Commencement dates: the date of the graduation ceremony; varies by program and level of study.
It is important to keep in mind that these dates and deadlines may vary depending on your program or level of study, and that they are subject to change. We encourage you to regularly check the University’s calendar and website for the most up-to-date information.
In addition, to stay informed and be aware of important dates and deadlines, please also refer to your program’s handbook, academic calendar, or contact the appropriate office.
Graduate studies resources
- Areas of Study PAGE
- Academic Calendar PDF
- Cyber Orientation PAGE
- Graduate Area Comprehensive Exam (GACE) PAGE
- Graduate Faculty PAGE
- Commencement PAGE
- Graduate Catalog PAGE
- Graduate Student Association (GSA) PAGE
- Dissertation & Thesis PAGE
- Forms PAGE
Important dates
Spring 2026
| Date | Day | Event |
|---|---|---|
| January | ||
| 12 | Monday | Classes Begin |
| 16 | Friday | Last Day to Register / Add a Course / Schedule Change |
| 23 | Friday | Last Day to Drop a Course with No Grade |
| 26 | Monday | Graduation Clearance Begins |
| 27 | Tuesday | Class Schedule Purged for Non-Payment of Tuition and Fees |
| 27 | Tuesday | Enrollment Census Drop (Attendance Purge) |
| February | ||
| 5 | Thursday | Deadline to Petition for Census and Financial Reinstatement |
| 23 | Monday | Last Defense Date to Dissertations, Theses, and Projects (Spring 2026) |
| March | ||
| 2 | Monday | ProQuest Upload Deadline for December 2025 Graduation |
| 2 | Monday | Last Day to submit Graduation Clearance Application |
| 21 | Saturday | Graduate Area Comprehensive Exam (GACE) Test Date |
| 27 | Friday | Last Day to Drop a Course with a “W” |
| April | ||
| 17 | Friday | Final Thesis / Dissertation Revisions Due for Spring 2026 Graduates |
| 24 | Friday | Last Day to Withdraw from the University |
| May | ||
| 1 | Friday | Commencement |
Summer 2026
| Date | Day | Event |
|---|---|---|
| May | ||
| 28–29 | Thurs.–Friday | Summer I Advisement Registration for New, Readmitted, Returning, and Graduate Students |
| June | ||
| 1 | Monday | Graduate 8-Week Classes Begin |
| 8 | Monday | Graduation Clearance Begins |
| 9 | Tuesday | Enrollment Census Drop (Attendance Purge) |
| 9 | Tuesday | Class Schedules Purged for Non-Payment of Tuition and Fees |
| 27 | Saturday | Graduate Area Comprehensive Exam (GACE) Test Date |
| July | ||
| 13 | Monday | Last Defense Date for Dissertations, Theses, and Projects (Summer) |
| 13 | Monday | Last Day to Submit Graduation Clearance Application |
| 28 | Tuesday | Graduate 8-Week Summer Session Ends |
| 29 | Wednesday | Summer Grades Due |
Division of Graduate Studies
1400 John R. Lynch Street
Jackson, MS 39217-0280
Jackson State University
P.O. Box 17095
Jackson, MS 39217