Academic Calendar

West Coast University's academic calendars are tailored to each program. 

Undergraduate: Each semester in on-ground programs includes twenty instructional weeks, consisting of two ten-week terms.  Each trimester in online programs includes sixteen instructional weeks, consisting of two eight-week terms.  On-ground classes typically begin the first Monday of the term.  Courses offered in a blended delivery format typically begin on the first day (Monday) of the term and end on the last day (Sunday) of the term.

Nursing Clinicals: Nursing clinical courses follow the Academic Calendar.  National holidays may be observed as long as the required contact hours are met by the end of the term, and are within the agreed upon schedule with Preceptors and Clinical sites.     

Distance Education Academic Calendar

This Academic Calendar supports the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Science, Nursing (RN to BSN)
  • Master of Science, Nursing (RN to MSN)
  • Master of Science, Advanced Generalist (MSN)
  • Master of Science, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN FNP)
  • Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Term
Class Start Date   Add/Drop Deadline Withdrawal
Date 
Class End Date  Holidays 
Spring I 2017
Monday, January 9, 2017 Monday, January 16, 2017 Tuesday, February 14, 2017 Sunday, March 5, 2017 
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 16, 2017
President's Day, Monday, February 20, 2017
Spring II 2017 
Monday, March 6, 2017 Monday, March 13, 2017  Tuesday, April 11, 2017 Sunday, April 30, 2017 Break, Monday - Sunday, May 1 - 7, 2017 
Summer I
2017
Monday, May 8, 2017 Monday, May 15, 2017 Tuesday, June 13, 2017  Sunday, July 2, 2017  Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2017
Summer II
2017
Monday, July 3, 2017  Monday, July 10, 2017  Tuesday, August 8, 2017 Sunday, August 27, 2017 Independence Day, Monday -Tuesday, July 3-4, 2017 
Fall I
2017
Monday, September 4, 2017 Tuesday, September 12, 2017 Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Sunday, October 29, 2017  Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2017
Fall II
2017
Monday, October 30, 2017  Tuesday, November 7, 2017 Tuesday, December 5, 2017  Sunday, December 24, 2017  Thanksgiving Break, Thursday-Sunday, November 23-26, 2017;
Winter Break, Monday, December 25, 2017 - Sunday, January 7, 2018
Spring I
2018
Monday, January 8, 2018  Tuesday, January 16, 2018 Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Sunday, March 4, 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 15, 2018; President's Day, Monday, February 19, 2018
Spring II 2018
Monday, March 5, 2018  Tuesday, March 13, 2018  Tuesday, April 10, 2018 Sunday, April 29, 2018 Break, Monday, April 30, 2018 - Sunday, May 6, 2018
Summer I 2018 Monday, May 7, 2018  Tuesday, May 15, 2018  Tuesday, June 12, 2018  Sunday, July 1, 2018  Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018 
Summer II 2018 Monday, July 2, 2018  Tuesday, July 10, 2018  Tuesday, August 7, 2018  Sunday, August 26, 2018  Independence Day,  Tuesday, July 4, 2018

 

Pharmacy Program Academic Calendar

Term
Start Date
Add/Drop Deadline Withdrawal Date
End Date
Holidays
Spring Semester 2017 Monday, January 2, 2017 Monday, January 9, 2017    Sunday, April 23, 2017  New Year's Day Observed, Monday January 2, 2017
Martin Luther King, Jr., 
Monday, January 16, 2017 
President's Day, Monday, February 20, 2017
Spring Break, March 24-27, 2017

Summer Semester 2017  Monday, May 1, 2017  Monday, May 8, 2017    Sunday, August 20, 2017  Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2017
Independence Day, Monday - Tuesday, July 3-4, 2017
Fall Semester 2017 Monday, August 21, 2017  Tuesday, August 29, 2017 Tuesday, October 17, 2017 Sunday, December 17, 2017 Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2017
Thanksgiving Break, Monday-Sunday, November 20-26, 2017
Spring Semester 2018 Monday, January 1, 2018  Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Tuesday, February 27, 2018  Sunday, April 22, 2018  New Year's Day, January 1, 2018
Martin Luther King, Jr., Monday, January 15, 2018
President's Day, Monday, February 19, 2018
Spring Break, March 30-April 2, 2018
Summer Semester 2018 Monday, April 23, 2018  Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Tuesday, June 19, 2018  Sunday, August 26, 2018 Memorial Day,  Monday,  May 28, 2018
Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Fall Semester 2018
Monday, August 27, 2018 Tuesday, September 4, 2018 Tuesday, October 23, 2018  Sunday, December 23, 2018  Labor Day, Monday, September 3, 2018
Thanksgiving Break, Monday-Sunday, November 19-25, 2018 

Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Program Academic Calendar

This Academic Calendar supports the following programs:

  • Master of Science, Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
  • Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Term Class Start Date  Add/Drop Deadline Withdrawal Date  Class End Date
Holidays 
Spring Trimester 2017 
Monday, January 2, 2017
Monday, January 9, 2017   Sunday, April 16, 2017 
New Years Day, Monday, January 2, 2017
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 16, 2017 
President's Day, Monday, February 20, 2017
Summer Trimester 2017 
Monday, May 1, 2017 
Monday, May 8, 2017   Sunday, August 13, 2017  
Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2017
Independence Day, Monday -Tuesday, July 3-4, 2017
Fall Trimester 2017 Monday, August 28, 2017  Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Sunday, December 10, 2017 Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2017
Thanksgiving Break, Thursday-Sunday, November 23-26, 2017
Spring 2018
Trimester
Monday, January 1, 2018  Tuesday, January 9, 2018  Tuesday, February 27, 2018  Sunday, April 15, 2018  New Year's Day, Monday-Tuesday, January 1, 2018
Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 15, 2018
President's Day, Monday, February 19, 2018 
Summer 2018 Monday, April 23, 2018  Tuesday, May 1, 2018  Tuesday, June 19, 2018  Sunday, August 5, 2018  Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018
Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4, 2018

 

Nursing (BSN, LVN/LPN-BSN), and Dental Hygiene Academic Calendar

This Academic Calendar supports the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BSN & LVN/LPN-BSN)
  • Dental Hygiene (BSDH)
  • Master of Science, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN FNP)

Term
Class Start Date Add/Drop
Deadline 
Withdrawal "W" Deadline
Class End Date   Holidays
Fall II 2016
Sunday, October 30, 2016
 Sunday, November 6, 2016 Tuesday, December 6, 2016
 Saturday, January 21, 2017
Thanksgiving Break, November 24-27, 2016
Holiday/New Year Break, Saturday, December 24, 2016 - Wednesday, January 4, 2017 
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 16, 2017
Spring I 2017
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Monday, January 30, 2017 Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Saturday, April 1, 2017
President's Day, Monday, February 20, 2017
Spring II 2017
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Monday, April 10, 2017 Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2017
Summer I 2017 Monday, June 12, 2017 Monday, June 19, 2017 Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Independence Day, Monday - Tuesday, July 3-4, 2017
Fall I
2017
Monday, August 21, 2017 Tuesday, August 29, 2017 Tuesday, September 26, 2017 Sunday, October 29, 2017   Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2017**
Fall II
2017
Monday, October 30, 2017  Tuesday, November 7, 2017  Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Sunday, January 21, 2018 Thanksgiving Break, November 23-26, 2017
Holiday/New Year Break, Saturday, December 23, 2017 - Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 15, 2018
Spring I
2018
Monday, January 22, 2018 Tuesday, January 30, 2018 Tuesday, February 27, 2018 Sunday, April 1, 2018  President's Day, Monday, February 19, 2018
Spring II 2018
Monday, April 2, 2018  Tuesday, April 10, 2018  Tuesday, May 8, 2018  Sunday, June 10, 2018  Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018
Summer I 2018 Monday, June 11, 2018  Tuesday, June 19, 2018  Tuesday, July 17, 2018  Sunday, August 19, 2018  Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Fall I 2018 Monday, August 20, 2018  Monday, August 27, 2018  Tuesday, October 16, 2018  Sunday, October 28, 2018  Labor Day, Monday, September 3, 2018
Fall II 2018 Monday, October 29, 2018  Monday, November 5, 2018  Tuesday, December 18, 2018  Sunday, January 20, 2019  Thanksgiving Break, November  22-25, 2018
Holiday/New Year Break, Tuesday, December 18, 2018 - Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 21, 2019
Spring I 2019 Monday, January 21, 2019  Monday, January 28, 2019  Tuesday, March 19, 2019  Sunday, March 31, 2019  President's Day, Monday, February 18, 2019
Spring II 2019 Monday, April 1, 2019 Monday, April 8, 2019 Tuesday, May 28, 2019 Sunday, June 9, 2019 Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2019
Summer I 2019 Monday, June 10, 2019  Monday, June 17, 2019  Tuesday, August 6, 2019  Sunday, August 18, 2019  Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2019 
Fall I 2019 Monday, August 19, 2019  Monday, August 26, 2019  Tuesday, October 15, 2019  Sunday, October 27, 2019  Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2019
Fall II 2019 Monday October 28, 2019  Monday, November 4, 2019  Tuesday, December 17, 2019  Sunday, January 26, 2020  Thanksgiving Break, November  28 - December 1, 2019
Holiday/New Year Break, Tuesday, December 17, 2019 -  Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 20, 2020
Spring I 2020 Monday, January 27, 2020 Monday, February 3, 2020  Tuesday, March 24, 2020  Sunday, April 5, 2020  President's Day, Monday, February 27, 2020
Spring II 2020 Monday, April 6, 2020  Monday, April 13, 2020  Tuesday, June 2, 2020  Sunday, June 14, 2020  Memorial Day, Monday, 25, 2020
Summer I 2020  Monday, June 15, 2020  Monday, June 22, 2020  Tuesday, August 11, 2020  Sunday, August 23, 2020  Independence Day, Saturday, July 4, 2020
Fall I 2020 Monday, August 24, 2020  Monday, August 31, 2020  Tuesday, October 20, 2020  Sunday, November 1, 2020 Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2020
Fall II 2020 Monday, November 2, 2020 Monday, November 9, 2020  Tuesday, December 22, 2020  Sunday, January 24, 2021  Thanksgiving Break, November 26-29, 2020
Holiday/New Year Break, Tuesday, December 22, 2020 - Sunday, January 3, 2021
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 18, 2021 

 ** Note:  The Miami campus was closed Thursday, September 7, 2017 through Sunday, September 17, 2017 due to Hurricane Irma.  

Class Schedule Information

For programs operating on the 20-week semester model, classes are typically scheduled during the hours of 7:00 am to 11:00 pm Monday through Friday and 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Most often, students attend classes between two to four days per week; however, some courses (most notably in the nursing programs) may require additional days of instruction per week. Nursing clinical rotations may be scheduled any day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays, 24 hours a day. The Dental Hygiene core curriculum requires students to attend classes, labs, and clinic sessions up to five days per week. After program completion and in preparation for clinical board examinations, Dental Hygiene students will be allowed to attend specific clinic sessions.  The RN to BSN, RN to MSN, and MSN Advanced Generalist distance education programs do not have face-to-face class meetings scheduled. The MSN-FNP has scheduled weekend intensives during the FNP trimesters.  The courses for these programs are open for students to commence coursework on the first Sunday of each eight week session as part of a trimester and close on the last Saturday of each eight week session within the trimester. 

Class Times

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

 Saturday

Classes scheduled between

7:00am-6:00pm

 

Classes scheduled between

7:00am-11:00pm

 

Classes scheduled between

7:00am-11:00pm

 

Classes scheduled between

7:00am-11:00pm

 

Classes scheduled between

7:00am-11:00pm

 

Classes scheduled between

 7:00am-11:00pm

 

Classes scheduled between

7:00am-6:00pm

 

Please Note: Nursing clinical rotations may be scheduled any day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays, 24 hours a day.

University Hours of Operation

California and Florida: The campus administrative offices normal hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Texas:  The campus administrative offices normal hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

All Campuses:  Online courses and related technical support are available and accessible to enrolled students seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Holidays Observed

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday- January 16, 2017
President's Day
Monday - February 20, 2017
Memorial Day
Monday - May 29, 2017 
Independence Day
Monday- Tuesday - July 3-4, 2017 
Labor Day
Monday - September 4, 2017 
Thanksgiving Break
Thursday - Sunday, November 23-26, 2017
Holiday/New Year Break
Saturday, December 23, 2017 - Wednesday, January 3, 2018 

 

Rescheduling of Class Time

Occasionally, due to holidays or unforeseen circumstances, students may be required to make-up class hours that have been missed due to campus closures.  Any courses that are required to be made-up may be done so at the direction of the appropriate dean and may be made-up at any point throughout the term.  The delivery method of the make-up hours will be dictated by the appropriate dean/chair based upon University, state, and/or accreditation requirements.  Any student who will miss courses due to these circumstances should speak to their program dean/chair for clarification on make-up work obligations.