3.4 Academic Calendar
3.4.1 Semester System
All University System of Georgia (USG) institutions shall operate on the semester system.
3.4.2 Uniform Academic Calendar
The academic calendar for each USG institution shall consist of two semesters, each with at least 15 weeks of instructional time, as defined by federal regulations issued by the United States Department of Education. The 15 weeks of instructional time shall not include registration or final examinations.
All USG institutions, with the exception of Medical School and Dental School at Augusta University and the College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Law at the University of Georgia, shall begin and end classes for fall semester and spring semester within the prescribed periods set forth in the Academic & Student Affairs Handbook. Each institution will determine all other necessary dates for the semester, including the possibility of flexible scheduling within and between semesters. Each term must be separated by a minimum of one day.
The President of a USG institution or his or her designee has the authority to set the Academic Calendar for the institution within the parameters of this policy. Requests for exceptions to this policy must be submitted in writing by the President of the institution and approved in writing by the USG Chief Academic Officer.
3.4.3 Religious Holidays
Each USG institution shall establish a process for evaluating requests for leave to observe religious holidays.
3.4.4 Instructional Time
A minimum of 750 minutes of instruction or equivalent is required for each semester credit hour. A course offered in fewer than 15 instructional weeks shall contain the same total hours (contact hours, preparation time, content, and requirements) as the same course offered in the standard 15-week semester.