About USD
- Mission and Vision
- History
- Catholic Identity
- USD Facts
- Administration
- Strategic Initiatives
- More About USD…
Founded in 1949 in the heart of San Diego, USD has grown to become a premier institution dedicated to providing academic excellence, Catholic intellectual and social traditions, and a top-notch liberal arts education for scholars of all faiths. USD is committed to the intellectual, spiritual, and overall development of its student body.

USD’s mission captures the values that have made it a prominent Catholic university, a vibrant institution of quality higher education, and an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus.
Academics
A USD education combines the vibrancy of the liberal arts with academic rigor in a supportive learning community. USD offers a wide variety of majors and specializations, allowing students to pursue their passions. Faculty members are distinguished scholars and devoted teachers who promote an interactive learning environment.

Faculty collaborate one-on-one with undergraduate and graduate students on research, scholarship and creative activity, allowing students to experience the excitement of original discovery.
Admissions
- Undergraduate
- Graduate
- School of Law
- Summer and Intersession
- Financial Aid
- Tuition and Fees
- More Admissions…
USD’s emphasis on academic excellence, intellectual rigor and global citizenship showcases our commitment to each student. USD offers the intellectual environment that will inspire you to begin shaping your future. By becoming a Torero, you are becoming part of the more than 60-year-long history of dedicated Changemakers.

Our students strive for academic excellence and take great pride in serving their communities. At USD, students learn to think critically, act globally and work collaboratively to achieve their full potential.
Experience
- Torero Life
- Housing and Residential Life
- Dining and Cafés
- Sports & Recreation
- University Ministry
- Diversity
- More Experience…
USD offers students endless opportunities to connect with the campus, the community, and each other. With nearly 200 clubs and organizations, countless sports and residence hall activities, guest lectures, community service opportunities and wellness programs, Toreros have every resource necessary to maximize their USD experience.

USD has an active, thriving campus community. In addition to its sublime setting — enhanced by an average 300 days of sunshine each year — USD offers students an abundance of academic programs, facilities and resources.
Directory
- People
- Offices & Departments
- Site Index
- Social Networking
- More Directory…
Even to the casual eye, it's apparent that the campus runs like a well-oiled machine, in large part due to our hard working team members, all dedicated to making sure that the USD student experience is reflective of the distinctive quality that the university is known for.

More than 1500 full-time and 750 part-time employees worked at USD in 2011, in capacities ranging from faculty to food service to administration to groundskeeper.
Gateways
- Prospective Students
- Current Students
- Faculty
- Staff
- Parents
- Alumni
- Visitors
- Athletics
The USD community is comprised of many diverse individuals. To assist with the various aspects of personal and professional development, the university provides various offices, programs and services. Gateways provides links to some of the areas that might be of interest to you.

From the moment you step on our beautiful campus you can see that USD is exceptional.

2013-2014 Graduate Academic Calendar

Fall Semester 2013

August 2013
28	Wed.	Final Registration/Fee Payment without penalty
29	Thurs.	Late registration fee begins

September 2013
2	Mon.	Labor Day Holiday (offices closed)
4	Wed.	Classes begin
12	Thurs.	Mass of the Holy Spirit
13	Fri.	Last day to enroll in classes and to drop a class withough a 'W' Deadline for 100 percent tuition refund
20	Fri.	Deadline for 90 percent tuition refund
27	Fri.	Deadline for 80 percent tuition refund

October 2013
1	Tues.	Financial aid application for Intersession 2014 avaliable
1-30	Tues. - Wed.	Online class reservation for Intersession 2014
4	Fri.	Deadline for 70 percent tuition refund
15	Tues.	Last day to petition for May 2014 graduation
18	Fri.	Deadline for 60 percent tuition refund
25	Fri.	Fall holiday (no classes)
28	Mon.	Deadline for 50 percent tuition refund

November 2013
1	Fri.	Class reservation begins for Spring 2014 Walk-in registration fegins for Intersession 2014
2	Sat.	Priority deadline for Intersession 2014 financial aid applications
13	Wed.	Last day to withdraw from classes with 'W' Deadline for removal of Incompletes from prior Springs semester and Summer sessions
15	Fri.	Final fee payment deadline for Intersession 2014 online registration
27-29	Wed. - Fri.	Thanksgiving holiday (no classes; offices closed Thursday and Friday
TBD	TBD	Deadline for completition of dissertation defense for January 2014 graduation (PhD, EdD)

December 2013
13	Fri.	Last day of classes
TBD	TBD	Completed dissertations and all fees and forms due in Registrar's Office for January 2014 graduation (PhD, EdD)
TBD	TBD	Two bound copies of completed Master's thesis due in Registrar's Office for January 2014 graduation
14-15	Sat. -Sun.	Study Days
16-20	Mon. - Fri.	Final Examinations

January 2014
2	Thurs.	Final grades due

Intersession 2014 (optional)

January 2014
6	Mon.	First day of Intersession classes
20	Mon.	Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (no classes; offices closed)
24	Fri.	Last day of Intersession classes

Spring Semester 2014

January 2014
21	Fri.	Final registration/fee payment deadline
22	Wed.	Late registration fees begin
27	Mon.	Classes begin
30	Thurs.	All Faith Service

February 2014
1	Sat.	Financial aid applications for Summer Sessions 2014 avaliable
5	Wed.	Last day to enroll in classes and to drop a class without a 'W' Deadline for 100 percent tuition refund
12	Wed.	Deadline for 90 percent tuition refund
19	Wed.	Deadline for 80 percent tuition refund
26	Wed.	Deadline for 70 percent tuition refund

March 2014
2	Sun.	Priority deadline for Fall 2014/Spring 2015 financial aid applications
3-28	Mon. - Fri.	Online class reservation for Summer Sessions 2014
10-14	Mon. - Fri.	Srping Break (no classes)
14	Fri.	Priority deadline for Summer Sessions 2014 financial aid applications
19	Wed.	Deadline for 60 percent tuition refund
26	Wed.	Deadline for 50 percent tuition refund

April 2014
1	Tues.	Class reservations begin for Fall 2014 Walk-in registration begins for Summer Sessions 2014
7	Mon.	Last day to withdraw from classes with a 'W' Deadline for removal of incompletes from prior semester/Intersession
11	Fri.	Final fee payment deadline for Summer Sessions 2014 online registration
17-21	Thurs. - Mon.	Easter break (no classes; offices closed on Friday, April 18)
TBD	TBD	Deadline for completition of dissertation defense for May 2014 graduation (PhD, EdD)

May 2014
13	Tues.	Last day of classes
TBD	TBD	Completed dissertations and all fees and forms due to the Registrar's Office for May 2014 graduation (PhD, EdD)
TBD	TBD	Two bound copies of completed Master's thesis due to the Registrar's Office for May 2014 graduation
14-15	Wed. - Thurs.	Study Days
16-22	Fri. - Thurs.	Final Examinations
24-25	Sat. - Sun.	Commencements
30	Fri.	Final grades due

Summer Sessions 2014 (optional)

June 2014
2	Mon.	First day of Summer Sessions

July 2014
4	Fri.	Independence Day holiday (no classes, office closed)
TBD	TBD	Deadline for completition of dissertation defense for August 2014 graduation (PhD, EdD)

August 2014
TBD	TBD	Completed dissertations and all fees and forms due to the Registrar's Office for August 2014 graduation (PhD, EdD)
TBD	TBD	Two bound copies of completed Master's thesis due to Registrar's Office for August 2014 graduation
22	Fri.	Last day of Summer Sessions