Fall 2026 New Master's Student Orientation & Important Information

 

Welcome to the University of San Francisco Department of Economics! 

We are excited to welcome you to join one of our master's programs. To prepare for your arrival and the first couple of weeks of your time at USF, please carefully read through the information on this page. 

 

Important Upcoming Dates & Events

New Student To-Do List

Important Resources for New Master's Students

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

  • University Census Date: Friday, September 11th, 2026 is the Last Drop Day with 100% refund for courses with standard start and end dates for the Fall 2026 semester.

The University Census date is the Last Day to Drop a course with a 100% Refund (if applicable). Courses dropped after this date appear with a neutral "W" on transcript. Last day to change to or from Pass/Fail or Audit option for Fall 2026.

Please note that the Last Day to Drop with a 100% refund may vary by course. The date listed here is applicable only to courses with standard start and end dates for the Fall 2026 semester. To find what Last Day to Drop with a 100% Refund date is applicable to a specific course, please visit the Online Class Schedule at usfca.edu/schedules www.usfca.edu/schedules or contact the Office of the University Registrar at (415) 422-7260 or registrar@usfca.edu for assistance.

 

 

View the Complete Academic Calendar

 

Important Upcoming Dates & Events 

date Event time Location Description
Monday, April 13th 2026 Registration Opens     Registration begins for newly admitted graduate students.
Tuesday, May 12th 2026

MSAE Academic Advising

 12:00 - 1:00pm PST Zoom MSAE Admitted Students Academic Advising Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, May 13th 2026 IDEC Academic Advising 12:00 - 1:00pm PST Zoom IDEC Admitted Students Academic Advising Virtual Meeting
Saturday, August 1st 2026 Payment Due for Fall 2026 tuition & fees      
Thursday, August 20th 2026

New Master's Student Orientation (Mandatory)

Reception to follow orientation

 TBA

TBA

New master's students will receive important information about what to expect in the MSAE/IDEC program, hear advice from current students, and learn about academic course planning from Academic Program Directors. 
Friday, August 21st 2026 International Student Orientation hosted by ISSS (Mandatory for International students) TBA USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco All new graduate and undergraduate students are required to attend the International Student Orientation, which includes the online Pre-Arrival Orientation Course (on Canvas) and the in-person session. The mandatory online Pre-Arrival course is designed to make your transition to USF smoother. All students attending their USF program in San Francisco, will also be required to attend the in-person orientation program upon arrival.
Tuesday, August 25th 2026 Fall 2026 semester begins      
Thursday, August 21st 2026

Economics Fall Kickoff Reception

 3:00PM - 4:30PM TBA

Kick off the start of the academic year with faculty, staff, and fellow Economics students! Mingle with your peers and share in the excitement of the year ahead. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. 

New Student To-do List Items:

  • Set up your MyUSF account and start checking your USF email daily for important updates. We will ONLY be communicating with you via your USF emails after orientation.

  • Register for Fall 2026 classes: Registration guides have been sent to your email. We encourage signing up early to guarantee your space in your first-choice classes. Please make sure you have accepted your offer for admission and paid your deposit first, otherwise, you won’t be able to register for classes.

  • Pay Your Tuition: Please view instructions here on how to pay your tuition. Your online student account portal provides access to view your tuition and fees and scholarship credits, and to make payments. Registered students receive an email prior to the beginning of the semester and each time a new monthly statement is available to view online. Please note that the Fall semester payment due date is August 1, 2026.

  • Set up your One Card Set up your One Card All students are required to have a mobile One Card to access the campus. The One Card provides students with access to buildings, the library, on-campus printers/copiers, and more. You should set up your One Card before August 14th. If you do not set up access, you will not be able to enter any USF building.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  

USF Campus Interactive Map  

USF Campus PDF Map

Last updated March 20th, 2026