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                                                               Each academic year at Columbia consists of two 15-week semesters   (fall and spring), plus a summer semester. While the usual term of a   class is a full 15 weeks, some subjects may be offered in shorter   periods, ranging from one to eight weeks. Such intensive segments meet   more frequently than traditional, 15-week courses. Courses are scheduled   during the day and evening as well as on Saturdays. The January session (J-Session), part of the spring semester, is designed to   offer concentrated learning experiences usually not available in the   regular semester. Such courses are designed for both the matriculating   and non-matriculating undergraduate student and may include, but are not   limited to, immersion, intensive research, travel, certification,   internships, master classes, community service, and workshops. For a schedule of courses offered by semester, go to Class Schedules. 
 
FALL SEMESTER 2013
    
        
            | Labor Day holiday | 
            Monday, September 2 | 
         
        
            | Semester begins | 
            Tuesday, September 3 | 
         
        
            | Thanksgiving | 
            Thursday, November 28 - Sunday, December 1 | 
         
        
            | Semester Ends | 
            Saturday, December 14 | 
         
    
 
JANUARY SESSION 2014
    
        
            | Session begins | 
            Monday, January 6 | 
         
        
            | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday | 
            Monday, January 20 | 
         
        
            | Session ends | 
            Saturday, January 25 | 
         
    
 
SPRING SEMESTER 2014
    
        
            | Semester begins | 
            Monday, January 27 | 
         
        
            | Spring break | 
            Monday, March 24 - Saturday, March 29 | 
         
        
            | Semester ends | 
            Saturday, May 17 | 
         
        
            | Commencement | 
            Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18 | 
         
    
 
SUMMER SESSION 2014
    
        
            | Memorial Day holiday | 
            Monday, May 26 | 
         
        
            | Session begins | 
            Tuesday, May 27 | 
         
        
            | 5-week term ends | 
            Saturday, June 28 | 
         
        
            | Independence Day holiday | 
            Friday, July 4 | 
         
        
            | 8-week term ends | 
            Saturday, July 19 | 
         
        
            | 10-week term ends | 
            Saturday, August 2 | 
         
        
            | 12-week term and session ends | 
            Saturday, August 16 | 
         
    
 
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