13 Things to Know Before Planning Your Spring Semester at Rice University

Rice University campus

Embark on an invigorating academic journey at Rice University during the Spring 2025 semester. As the new year blossoms, immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of intellectual pursuits. The university’s renowned faculty and state-of-the-art facilities will ignite your curiosity and propel you toward academic excellence.

Rice University’s Spring 2025 calendar offers a comprehensive schedule of undergraduate and graduate courses. Engage in interactive lectures, thought-provoking discussions, and hands-on research experiences. Tailor your semester to your academic aspirations, choosing from a diverse range of disciplines including engineering, science, humanities, and social sciences. Whether you are exploring new frontiers of knowledge or delving deeper into your chosen field, the Spring 2025 semester at Rice University promises an intellectually stimulating and enriching experience.

As the semester unfolds, embrace the vibrant campus life that Rice University has to offer. Participate in engaging extracurricular activities, forge lasting connections with peers and mentors, and make unforgettable memories. The university’s picturesque campus provides a serene setting for study and reflection, while the surrounding neighborhood offers a wealth of entertainment and cultural attractions. Immerse yourself in the vibrant intellectual and social fabric of Rice University and make the most of your Spring 2025 semester.

Academic Calendar Overview

Rice University’s academic calendar for spring 2025 is designed to provide students with a comprehensive plan for the semester. The calendar outlines important dates and deadlines, including the start and end of classes, exam periods, and holidays. It also includes information on academic breaks and registration periods.

The spring 2025 semester begins on Monday, January 20th, and ends on Friday, May 9th. Classes will be held from Monday to Friday, with the exception of holidays. The university will be closed for the following holidays during the spring semester:

Date Holiday
Monday, January 20th Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, March 3rd Mardi Gras
Friday, April 11th Good Friday

The spring semester will also include three academic breaks: a mid-semester break from Friday, February 21st to Sunday, February 23rd, a spring break from Friday, March 14th to Sunday, March 23rd, and a final exam period from Monday, May 5th to Friday, May 9th.

Registration for spring 2025 classes will begin on Monday, October 21st, 2024, and end on Friday, November 1st, 2024. Students are encouraged to register for classes as early as possible to ensure they get the classes they need.

Semester Start and End Dates

The academic calendar for Rice University’s spring 2025 semester is as follows:

Academic Schedule

Event Date
First day of classes January 19, 2025
Spring break March 10-16, 2025
Last day of classes May 2, 2025
Final exams May 4-9, 2025
Commencement May 17, 2025

Important Holidays and Breaks

Rice University’s academic calendar for the spring 2025 semester includes several important holidays and breaks. These holidays and breaks are listed below.

Spring Break

Spring break will be from March 10-16, 2025. During spring break, students will have a week off from classes to relax and recharge. This is a great time to catch up on sleep, travel, or spend time with family and friends.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 26, 2025. Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. On Memorial Day, Rice University will be closed.

Other Holidays and Breaks

In addition to Spring Break and Memorial Day, Rice University will also observe the following holidays and breaks during the spring 2025 semester:

Date Holiday
January 1, 2025 New Year’s Day
January 16, 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 20, 2025 President’s Day

Exam Schedule

The exam schedule will be released in October. Please check back then for more information.

Exam Dates

The following are the exam dates for spring 2025:

– **Final exams:** May 11-15, 2025

Make-Up Exams

Make-up exams will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your professor if you need to make arrangements for a make-up exam.

Exam Policies

The following are the exam policies for spring 2025:

  • All exams are closed book and closed note.
  • You must bring your student ID card to every exam.
  • No electronic devices are allowed in the exam room.
  • You must arrive on time for your exam. Late arrivals may not be admitted.
  • You must remain in the exam room for the entire duration of the exam.
  • You may not leave the exam room without permission from the professor.
  • You may not talk to other students during the exam.
  • You may not cheat on the exam. Any student caught cheating will be subject to disciplinary action.
  • You must follow all other instructions given by the professor.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating on an exam will be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from the university.

Registration Deadlines

The following are important dates and deadlines for spring 2025 registration.

Undergraduate Registration

Undergraduate students will register for spring 2025 classes according to their year in school:

  • Seniors: Wednesday, November 1, 2024
  • Juniors: Thursday, November 2, 2024
  • Sophomores: Friday, November 3, 2024
  • Freshmen: Monday, November 6, 2024

Graduate Registration

Graduate students will register for spring 2025 classes according to their program:

Program Registration Date
PhD Monday, October 30, 2024
Master’s Wednesday, November 1, 2024
Professional Master’s Tuesday, November 7, 2024

Other Important Dates

In addition to the registration deadlines, students should also be aware of the following important dates:

  • Last day to drop/add classes: Friday, January 19, 2025
  • Last day to withdraw from classes: Friday, February 2, 2025
  • Final exams: May 4-8, 2025
  • Tuition Payment Due Dates

    All tuition and fees are due by the payment due date each semester. Students who do not pay their tuition and fees by the due date will be charged a late fee. The late fee is 1% of the unpaid balance per month, or fraction thereof, up to a maximum of 10% of the unpaid balance.

    The first installment of tuition and fees is due on July 15, 2024.

    The second installment of tuition and fees is due on November 15, 2024.

    The late payment fee is 1% of the unpaid balance per month, or fraction thereof, up to a maximum of 10% of the unpaid balance.

    Students can pay their tuition and fees online, by mail, or in person.

    To pay your tuition and fees online, you will need your student ID number and your credit card or bank account information. You can pay online at the following website: https://www.rice.edu/tuition-and-fees/

    To pay your tuition and fees by mail, you will need to send a check or money order to the following address:

    Rice University

    Attn: Student Accounts

    PO Box 1892

    Houston, TX 77251

    To pay your tuition and fees in person, you can visit the Student Accounts Office in the Rice Memorial Center.

    Course Withdrawal Dates

    The course withdrawal deadlines for the Spring 2025 semester at Rice University are as follows:

    Friday, January 24, 2025: Last day to drop a course without a “W” grade.

    Monday, February 10, 2025: Last day to drop a course with a “W” grade.

    After February 10, 2025, students may only withdraw from a course with the approval of the instructor and the dean of their school.

    Students who withdraw from a course after the “W” grade deadline will receive a grade of “F” for the course.

    The following table provides a summary of the course withdrawal deadlines:

    Date Action Grade
    January 24, 2025 Last day to drop a course without a “W” grade N/A
    February 10, 2025 Last day to drop a course with a “W” grade W
    After February 10, 2025 Withdrawal only with approval of instructor and dean F

    Graduate School Calendar

    The 2025 spring semester at Rice University begins on Tuesday, January 14 and ends on Friday, May 9. Below is a detailed schedule of important dates and deadlines for graduate students:

    Academic Calendar

    Date Event
    January 14 First day of classes
    January 18 Last day to add a course
    January 23 Last day to drop a course without a grade
    March 14-18 Spring break
    April 17 Last day to withdraw from a course with a ‘W’ grade
    May 2-6 Final exams
    May 9 Last day of classes

    Registration Deadlines

    Date Deadline
    November 1, 2024 Priority registration for continuing graduate students
    November 15, 2024 Open registration for all graduate students
    January 13, 2025 Last day to register for classes

    Tuition and Fees

    Tuition and fees for the spring 2025 semester are due by January 15, 2025. Students who do not pay their tuition and fees by this deadline will be subject to a late fee.

    Financial Aid

    Financial aid for the spring 2025 semester is disbursed on January 15, 2025. Students who have not completed their financial aid paperwork by this deadline will not receive their financial aid.

    Housing

    On-campus housing for graduate students is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who are interested in living on campus should apply for housing as early as possible.

    Health Insurance

    All graduate students are required to have health insurance. Students who do not have health insurance through Rice University must purchase their own health insurance.

    Law School Calendar

    The Rice University School of Law academic calendar for the spring 2025 semester is as follows:

    Spring 2025 Important Dates

    Date Event
    January 19, 2025 Spring semester classes begin
    March 10-14, 2025 Spring break
    April 25, 2025 Last day of classes
    May 5-9, 2025 Final exams
    May 11, 2025 Spring semester ends

    Continuing Education Calendar

    Rice University offers a variety of continuing education courses and programs to help you advance your career or pursue personal interests. The continuing education calendar is updated regularly with new courses and programs, so be sure to check back often for the most up-to-date information.

    Spring 2025 Continuing Education Calendar

    The spring 2025 continuing education calendar is now available online. You can view the complete calendar here or browse by category below.

    Business and Finance

    Rice University offers a variety of continuing education courses and programs in business and finance, including:

    • Accounting
    • Finance
    • Human Resources
    • Marketing
    • Operations Management

    Computer Science and Technology

    Rice University offers a variety of continuing education courses and programs in computer science and technology, including:

    • Data Science
    • Software Engineering
    • Web Development
    • Cybersecurity
    • Cloud Computing

    Education

    Rice University offers a variety of continuing education courses and programs in education, including:

    • Teaching Certification
    • Educational Leadership
    • Curriculum and Instruction
    • Special Education
    • Early Childhood Education

    Health and Wellness

    Rice University offers a variety of continuing education courses and programs in health and wellness, including:

    • Nutrition
    • Exercise Science
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Alternative Medicine

    Language and Culture

    Rice University offers a variety of continuing education courses and programs in language and culture, including:

    • Spanish
    • French
    • Chinese
    • Japanese
    • Arabic

    Law

    Rice University offers a variety of continuing education courses and programs in law, including:

    • Business Law
    • Criminal Law
    • Family Law
    • Intellectual Property Law
    • Tax Law

    Personal Development

    Rice University offers a variety of continuing education courses and programs in personal development, including:

    • Leadership
    • Communication
    • Time Management
    • Stress Management
    • Conflict Resolution

    Professional Development

    Rice University offers a variety of continuing education courses and programs in professional development, including:

    • Project Management
    • Quality Assurance
    • Customer Service
    • Sales and Marketing
    • Human Resources Management

    Rice University Academic Calendar Spring 2025

    Rice University’s academic calendar for the spring 2025 semester has been released. The semester will begin on Monday, January 13, 2025, and will end on Friday, May 9, 2025. There will be a spring break from Saturday, March 8, 2025, to Sunday, March 16, 2025.

    Classes will be held Monday through Friday, with some exceptions. There will be no classes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 20, 2025), Spring Break (Saturday, March 8, 2025, to Sunday, March 16, 2025), and Good Friday (Friday, April 11, 2025).

    The final exam period will be from Monday, May 5, 2025, to Friday, May 9, 2025. Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

    People Also Ask about Rice University Academic Calendar Spring 2025

    When does the spring 2025 semester start at Rice University?

    The spring 2025 semester at Rice University starts on Monday, January 13, 2025.

    When does the spring 2025 semester end at Rice University?

    The spring 2025 semester at Rice University ends on Friday, May 9, 2025.

    When is spring break at Rice University in 2025?

    Spring break at Rice University in 2025 is from Saturday, March 8, 2025, to Sunday, March 16, 2025.