The academic year consists of two semesters and a summer term. The fall semester begins in late August or early September and ends in December; the spring semester begins in January and ends in May; and the summer session is held between the end of the spring semester and the beginning of the fall semester.

The New Student Orientation program, which is required for all first time degree-seeking students, is held during the summer for new freshmen and transfer students. Orientation is designed to acquaint new students with registration procedures, University regulations, college life, and student activities and services.

During Orientation, students meet with an academic advisor, plan their course schedule, and register for classes. Even though advisors help students select the appropriate courses, this does not relieve students of their responsibility to study the Undergraduate Catalog and fulfill all of the requirements for their specific degree program. (Note: Before students attain senior standing, they should consult with the college level advisor or graduation analyst of the college regarding fulfillment of requirements for their degree.)

Colleges and universities in the Tennessee Board of Regents system place students according to their ACT subscores in English, Math, and Reading, provided that those scores are less than 3 years old.  At the University of Memphis:

• Students with ACT reading subscores below 19 are required to enroll in ACAD 1100.
• Students with ACT English subscores below 18 are required to enroll in prescribed English courses.

If students feel they have been misplaced by their ACT subscores in English and reading, they may take the COMPASS test to attempt to place in a higher level course.  All students, regardless of their ACT math subscore, are required to take the ALEKS placement exam for math.

Students without ACT scores are required to take a placement test, the COMPASS assessment and placement test, to determine the best course placement for them.  The COMPASS test provides students and their advisors with important information about educational preparation and is a good beginning toward the achievement of academic goals. 

Credit is not allowed in any course for which students are not officially registered. Students must withdraw from all courses prior to the first day of classes for the session to avoid financial responsibility for fees.