Academic Calendar: MN, MSN and DNP Programs

By Academic Year

Fall 2025

DateEvent
August 13-14, 2025MN New Student Orientation
August 15, 2025MN Classes Begin for all students
August 18, 2025MSN Specialty Level and Post Master's Certificate Classes Begin * Important: Please check your specialty class schedule for specific information on orientation and/or start dates for required classes.
August 18-22, 2025PhD Orientation and Intensive (subject to change)
August 25-29, 2025First day of class for DNP/Orientation and Intensive
August 29, 2025End of Student Change Period (See https://www.vanderbilt.edu/stuaccts/graduate/withdrawal-schedule.php for tuition refund schedule)
September 1, 2025Labor Day - no VUSN Classes
October 3, 2025Last day to withdraw with a "W" (See https://www.vanderbilt.edu/stuaccts/graduate/withdrawal-schedule.php for tuition refund schedule)
November 22-30, 2025Thanksgiving Break
December 5, 2025Last Day of Class/Fall Semester
December 5, 2025December Pinning Ceremony
December 13, 2025Degree conferral for Fall graduates

 

Spring 2026

DateEvent
January 5, 2026First day of Spring semester for: Specialty Level MSN, returning MN students, Post-Master's Certificate students* Important: Please check your specialty class schedule for specific information on orientation and/or start dates for required classes.
January 5-9, 2026First Day of class for DNP/Intensive
January 5-9, 2026PhD Intensive (subject to change)
January 7-8, 2026MN New Student Orientation
January 9, 2026MN First Semester Classes Begin
January 16, 2026End of Student Change Period (See https://www.vanderbilt.edu/stuaccts/graduate/withdrawal-schedule.php for tuition refund schedule)
January 19, 2026MLK Holiday - no VUSN Classes
February 18, 2026Last day to withdraw with a "W" (See https://www.vanderbilt.edu/stuaccts/graduate/withdrawal-schedule.php for tuition refund schedule)
March 7-15, 2026Spring Break
April 17, 2026Last Day of Class/Spring Semester
May 7, 2026May Pinning Ceremony and Reception
May 8, 2026Commencement; Degree conferral for Spring graduates

 

Summer 2026

DateEvent
April 27, 2026First Day of Summer Semester for: Specialty Level MSN, returning MN students, Post-Master's Certificate students, and CRNA students * Important: Please check your specialty class schedule for specific information on orientation and/or start dates for required classes.
May 4, 2026First day of class for DNP
May 7, 2026May Pinning Ceremony and Reception
May 8, 2026Commencement; Degree conferral for Spring graduates
May 11-14, 2026DNP Intensive
May 11-15, 2026PhD Intensive (subject to change)
May 15, 2026End of Student Change Period (See https://www.vanderbilt.edu/stuaccts/graduate/withdrawal-schedule.php for tuition refund schedule)
May 25, 2026Memorial Day Holiday - no VUSN Classes
June 5, 2026Last day to withdraw with a "W" (See https://www.vanderbilt.edu/stuaccts/graduate/withdrawal-schedule.php for tuition refund schedule)
June 19, 2026Juneteenth Holiday - No VUSN Classes
July 3, 2026Independence Day Holiday - No VUSN Classes
July 31, 2026Last Day of Class/Summer Semester
August 1, 2026August Pinning Ceremony
August 7, 2026Degree conferral for Summer graduates