Academic Calendar
Golden West College offers courses across four academic sessions: fall semester (end of August through December), winter term (January), spring semester (February through May), and summer term (approximately June through mid-August). To accommodate diverse learning preferences and schedules, courses are delivered in on-campus, fully online, and hybrid formats. On-campus classes typically meet Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m., with limited Saturday options.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester 2026 | |
| August 21 | Regular Classes Begin (16-Week and 8-Week Classes) |
| August 25 | Residency Determination date |
| September 7 | Labor Day (Campus Closed) |
| October 19 | Second 8-Week Classes Begin |
| November 11 | Holiday-Veterans Day (Campus Closed) |
| November 15 | Filing Deadline for Fall Graduation |
| November 26 - November 29 | Thanksgiving Break (Campus Closed) |
| December 12 | Last Day of Fall Semester |
| December 14- January 1 | Winter Break (Campus Closed) |
| Intersession 2027 | |
| January 4 | First Day of Instruction |
| January 18 | Martin Luther King Day (Campus Closed) |
| January 29 | Last Day of Intersession |
| Spring Semester 2027 | |
| January 30 | Regular Classes Begin (16 and 8-Week Classes) |
| February 5 | Residency Determination Date |
| February 12 | Lincoln's Day (Campus Closed) |
| February 15 | Washington's Day (Campus Closed) |
| February 18 | Mandatory Flex Day (No Instruction) |
| March 29 - April 4 | Spring Recess (Campus Closed April 2) |
| April 5 | Second Eight-Week Classes Begin |
| April 15 | Filing Deadline for Spring Graduation |
| May (TBD) | Commencement |
| May 29 | Last Day of Spring Semester |
| May 31 | Memorial Day (Campus Closed) |
All dates and hours of operation are subject to change without notice.
Deadlines for refunds, fee cancellations, registration, and withdrawals are different for each course.
For specific course deadlines, please refer to one of the following:
Student Class Program/Web Schedule Bill (available via MyCoastPortal)
Academic Calendar – Available online at https://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/academic-calendar/index.html
If a holiday falls on Friday, Saturday and Sunday classes will not meet. If a holiday falls on Monday, Saturday and Sunday classes will meet. Final examinations are held during regular class meeting times during the last week of the semester.
Class Cancellation
The College reserves the right to cancel classes. All classes offered are based upon minimum enrollment requirements. Classes may be cancelled as a result of low enrollment, State legislation, and financial considerations. If classes are cancelled due to low enrollment, instructional offices will communicate with the student and provide alternative options.
Election Dates 2026 & 2027
CALIFORNIA PRIMARY ELECTION - JUNE 2, 2026
- The last day to register to vote for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election is May 18, 2026.
- All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election.
- Your county elections office will begin mailing ballots by May 4, 2026,
- Ballot drop-off locations open on May 5, 2026.
- Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office.
- Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter's Choice Act counties beginning on May 23, 2026.
- Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by June 9, 2026.
All dates can be verified online at the Secretary of State or Orange County Registrar of Voters.
All voter and election information can be verified online at the California Secretary of State and Orange County Registrar of Voters websites.