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.

2012-2013 Undergraduate Academic Calendar

Fall Semester 2012

August 2012
29	Wed.	Final Registration/Fee Payment without penalty
30	Thurs.	Late charges begin
28	Tues.	Logic Competency Examination Fees Due
31	Fri.	Foreign Languages and Literatures Competency Examination Fees Due

September 2012
1-4	Sat. - Tues.	New Student Orientation- Torero Days
3	Mon.	Labor Day holiday (offices closed, no classes)
4	Tues.	Competency Examinations: Logic and Foreign Languages and Literatures
5	Wed.	Classes Begin
13	Thurs.	Mass of the Holy Spirit
14	Fri.	Last day to enroll in classes and to drop a class without a 'W' Deadline 100 percent tuition refund
21	Fri.	Deadline 90 percent tuition refund
28	Fri.	Deadline 80 percent tuition refund

October 2012
1	Mon.	Financial aid application for January Intersession available
5	Fri.	Deadline 70 percent tuition refund
1-30	Mon. – Fri.	Online class reservation for Intersession 2013 (two weeks only; see Tuesday, October 25 for walk-in registration for intersession 2013)
12	Fri.	Competency Examination Fees Due
15	Mon.	Deadline to petition for May 2013 graduation
19	Fri.	Fall Holiday (no classes)
22	Mon.	Deadline 60 percent tuition refund
26	Friday	Mid-term grades due
27	Sat.	Competency Examination: Mathematics
29	Mon.	Deadline 50 percent tuition refund

November 2012
1	Thurs.	Walk-in registration begins for Intersession 2013. Class reservation begins for Spring 2013. Priority deadline for Intersession 2013 financial aid applications.
3	Sat.	Competency Examinations: Lower-division and Upper-division English
6	Tues.	Deadline to select grade or Pass/Fail option
13	Tues.	Last day to withdraw from classes with a 'W'. Deadline for removal of Incompletes from prior semester/Summer Sessions
16	Fri.	Final fee payment deadline for Intersession 2013 online registration
21-23	Wed. - Fri.	Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes; offices closed Thursday and Friday

December 2012
14	Fri.	Last Day of classes Deadline to petition for August 2013 graduation
15-16	Sat. - Sun.	Study Period
17-21	Mon. - Fri.	Final Examinations
22	Sat.	NROTC Commissioning Ceremony

January 2013
2	Wed.	Final grades due

Intersession 2013 (optional)

January 2013
3	Thurs.	First day of Intersession classes
21	Mon.	Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday (no classes; offices closed)
23	Wed.	Last day of Intersession classes
See the 2013 Intersession Catalog for specific courses, dates and registration procedures

Spring Semester 2013

January 2013
18	Fri.	Logic Competency Examination Fees Dues
21	Mon.	Foreign Languages and Logic Examination Fees Due
24-25	Thurs. - Fri.	New Student Orientation
25	Fri.	Final registration/fee payment without penalty Competency Examination: Foreign Languages and Logic
26	Sat.	Late charges begin
28	Mon.	Classes begin
31	Thurs.	All Faith Service Foreign Language Competency Examination Fees Due

February 2013
1	Fri.	Financial aid applications for Summer Sessions 2013 avaliable
6	Wed.	Last day to enroll in classes and to drop a class without a 'W'. Deadline 100 percent tuition refund.
18	Mon.	Deadline 90 percent tuition refund
25	Mon.	Deadline 80 precent tuition refund

March 2013
2	Sat.	Priority deadline for USD financial aid applications for 2013-2014 fall and/or spring semesters for new (freshmen and transfer) undergraduate students. Priority deadline for USD financial aid applications for 2013-2014 fall and/or spring semesters for continuing and undergraduate students.
4	Mon.	Deadline 70 percent tuition refund
4-29	Mon. - Fri.	Online class reservation for Summer Sessions 2013 (two weeks only; see Tuesday, April 2 for walk-in registration for Summer Sessions 2013)
15	Fri.	Priority deadline for Summer Sessions 2013 financial aid applications
18	Mon.	Deadline 60 percent tuition refund
20	Wed.	Mid-term grades due
22	Fri.	Deadline to pay Competency Examination fee
25- April 1	Mon. - Mon.	Combined Spring break/Easter holiday (no classes; offices closed on Friday, March 29)

April 2013
1	Mon.	Deadline 50 percent tuition refund
2	Tues.	Walk-in registration begins for Summer Sessions 2013. Class reservation begins for Fall 2013.
3	Wed.	Deadline to select grade or Pass/Fail option
5	Fri.	Last day to withdraw from classes with a 'W'. Deadline for removal of Incompletes from Fall semster/Intersession
6	Sat.	Competecy Examination: Mathematics
12	Fri.	Final fee payment deadline for Summer Sessions 2013 online registration
13	Sat.	Competency Examinations: Lower-division and Upper-division English

May 2013
7	Tues.	Honors Convocation
13	Mon.	Last day of classes. Deadline to petition for January 2014 graduation
14-15	Tues. - Wed.	Study days
16-22	Thurs. - Wed.	Final Examinations
24	Fri.	NROTC Commissioning Ceremony
25-26	Sat. - Sun.	Commencements
29	Wed.	Final Grades due

Summer Sessions 2013 (optional)

June 2013
3	Mon.	First day of first session

July 2013
4	Thurs.	Independence Day holiday (no classes, offices closed)

August 2013
23	Fri.	Last day of last session
See the 2013 Summer Sessions Catalog for specific courses, dates and registration procedures