Academic sessions

VCU helps you keep your academic progress on track by offering courses year-round. In addition to traditional fall and spring semesters, you have the option to take classes during summer and winter breaks. Summer Session or Intersession are great opportunities to:

  • Take a course that fills up fast during the regular academic year
  • Lighten your course load for an upcoming semester
  • Catch up on missing prerequisites 

Fall and spring semesters

The academic year begins in late August, with the fall semester running until early December. The spring semester starts in mid-January and runs until early May. 

See important dates by semester

Intersession 

Intersession is held during the academic break between semesters. Courses begin in late December and end right before the start of the spring semester. Intersession is open to current VCU students and eligible students from other institutions who are staying in the Richmond area during winter break. 

Learn more about Intersession

Summer Studies

Summer Studies runs from mid-May to early August, between the spring and fall semesters. VCU offers 11 different sessions throughout the summer, spanning from three to eight weeks, with more than 800 courses to choose from. Summer Studies is open to current VCU students and eligible students from other institutions who are staying in the Richmond area during summer break.

Go to the Summer Studies website