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 new students
August 18, 2025MN classes begin for returning (spring 25 cohort) 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 5-7, 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 11-13, 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