diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/common.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/common.py
index 7afa359e39..da1e5bf3eb 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/common.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/common.py
@@ -203,16 +203,21 @@ def add_subsection(name='Subsection One'):
     world.css_click(save_css)
 
 
-def set_date_and_time(date_css, desired_date, time_css, desired_time):
-    world.css_fill(date_css, desired_date)
-    # hit TAB to get to the time field
-    e = world.css_find(date_css).first
-    # pylint: disable=W0212
-    e._element.send_keys(Keys.TAB)
-    world.css_fill(time_css, desired_time)
-    e = world.css_find(time_css).first
-    e._element.send_keys(Keys.TAB)
-    time.sleep(float(1))
+def set_date_and_time(date_css, desired_date, time_css, desired_time, key=None):
+    set_element_value(date_css, desired_date, key)
+    set_element_value(time_css, desired_time, key)
+
+    world.wait_for_ajax_complete()
+
+
+def set_element_value(element_css, element_value, key=None):
+    element = world.css_find(element_css).first
+    element.fill(element_value)
+    # hit TAB or provided key to trigger save content
+    if key is not None:
+        element._element.send_keys(getattr(Keys, key))  # pylint: disable=protected-access
+    else:
+        element._element.send_keys(Keys.TAB)  # pylint: disable=protected-access
 
 
 @step('I have enabled the (.*) advanced module$')
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.feature b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.feature
index 2cb708ad3c..7f0d7b85e4 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.feature
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.feature
@@ -38,6 +38,14 @@ Feature: CMS.Create Subsection
     Then I see the subsection release date is 12/25/2011 03:00
     And I see the subsection due date is 01/02/2012 04:00
 
+  Scenario: Set release and due dates of subsection on enter
+    Given I have opened a new subsection in Studio
+    And I set the subsection release date on enter to 04/04/2014 03:00
+    And I set the subsection due date on enter to 04/04/2014 04:00
+    And I reload the page
+    Then I see the subsection release date is 04/04/2014 03:00
+    And I see the subsection due date is 04/04/2014 04:00
+
   Scenario: Delete a subsection
     Given I have opened a new course section in Studio
     And I have added a new subsection
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.py
index 463adddd53..49a7c88383 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/features/subsection.py
@@ -55,26 +55,28 @@ def i_see_complete_subsection_name_with_quote_in_editor(step):
 
 @step('I set the subsection release date to ([0-9/-]+)( [0-9:]+)?')
 def set_subsection_release_date(_step, datestring, timestring):
-    if hasattr(timestring, "strip"):
-        timestring = timestring.strip()
-    if not timestring:
-        timestring = "00:00"
-    set_date_and_time(
-        'input#start_date', datestring,
-        'input#start_time', timestring)
+    set_subsection_date('input#start_date', datestring, 'input#start_time', timestring)
+
+
+@step('I set the subsection release date on enter to ([0-9/-]+)( [0-9:]+)?')
+def set_subsection_release_date_on_enter(_step, datestring, timestring):  # pylint: disable-msg=invalid-name
+    set_subsection_date('input#start_date', datestring, 'input#start_time', timestring, 'ENTER')
 
 
 @step('I set the subsection due date to ([0-9/-]+)( [0-9:]+)?')
 def set_subsection_due_date(_step, datestring, timestring):
-    if hasattr(timestring, "strip"):
-        timestring = timestring.strip()
-    if not timestring:
-        timestring = "00:00"
     if not world.css_visible('input#due_date'):
         world.css_click('.due-date-input .set-date')
-    set_date_and_time(
-        'input#due_date', datestring,
-        'input#due_time', timestring)
+
+    set_subsection_date('input#due_date', datestring, 'input#due_time', timestring)
+
+
+@step('I set the subsection due date on enter to ([0-9/-]+)( [0-9:]+)?')
+def set_subsection_due_date_on_enter(_step, datestring, timestring):  # pylint: disable-msg=invalid-name
+    if not world.css_visible('input#due_date'):
+        world.css_click('.due-date-input .set-date')
+
+    set_subsection_date('input#due_date', datestring, 'input#due_time', timestring, 'ENTER')
 
 
 @step('I mark it as Homework$')
@@ -147,3 +149,12 @@ def see_subsection_name(name):
     assert world.is_css_present(css)
     css = 'span.subsection-name-value'
     assert world.css_has_text(css, name)
+
+
+def set_subsection_date(date_css, datestring, time_css, timestring, key=None):
+    if hasattr(timestring, "strip"):
+        timestring = timestring.strip()
+    if not timestring:
+        timestring = "00:00"
+
+    set_date_and_time(date_css, datestring, time_css, timestring, key)
diff --git a/cms/static/js/base.js b/cms/static/js/base.js
index bc33afc44f..cfb221066d 100644
--- a/cms/static/js/base.js
+++ b/cms/static/js/base.js
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 require(["domReady", "jquery", "underscore", "gettext", "js/views/feedback_notification", "js/views/feedback_prompt",
-    "js/utils/get_date", "js/utils/module", "js/utils/handle_iframe_binding", "jquery.ui", "jquery.leanModal", "jquery.form", "jquery.smoothScroll"],
-    function(domReady, $, _, gettext, NotificationView, PromptView, DateUtils, ModuleUtils, IframeUtils) {
+    "js/utils/get_date", "js/utils/module", "js/utils/handle_iframe_binding", "js/utils/change_on_enter", "jquery.ui",
+    "jquery.leanModal", "jquery.form", "jquery.smoothScroll"],
+    function(domReady, $, _, gettext, NotificationView, PromptView, DateUtils, ModuleUtils, IframeUtils, TriggerChangeEventOnEnter)
+{
 
 var $body;
 var $newComponentItem;
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ domReady(function() {
     $('.subsection-display-name-input').each(function() {
         this.val = $(this).val();
     });
-    $("#start_date, #start_time, #due_date, #due_time").bind('change', autosaveInput);
+    $("#start_date, #start_time, #due_date, #due_time").change(autosaveInput).keyup(TriggerChangeEventOnEnter)
     $('.sync-date, .remove-date').bind('click', autosaveInput);
 
     // expand/collapse methods for optional date setters
diff --git a/cms/static/js/utils/change_on_enter.js b/cms/static/js/utils/change_on_enter.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..08c5d396b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cms/static/js/utils/change_on_enter.js
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+define(["jquery"], function($) {
+    // Trigger "Change" event on "Enter" keyup event
+    var triggerChangeEventOnEnter = function (e) {
+        if(e.which == 13)
+        {
+            $(this).trigger("change").blur();
+        }
+    };
+
+    return triggerChangeEventOnEnter;
+});
diff --git a/cms/static/js/views/settings/main.js b/cms/static/js/views/settings/main.js
index 583f42c0c8..4e21109be4 100644
--- a/cms/static/js/views/settings/main.js
+++ b/cms/static/js/views/settings/main.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
-define(["js/views/validation", "codemirror", "underscore", "jquery", "jquery.ui", "tzAbbr", "js/models/uploads", "js/views/uploads", "jquery.timepicker", "date"],
-    function(ValidatingView, CodeMirror, _, $, ui, tzAbbr, FileUploadModel, FileUploadDialog) {
+define(["js/views/validation", "codemirror", "underscore", "jquery", "jquery.ui", "tzAbbr", "js/models/uploads",
+    "js/views/uploads", "js/utils/change_on_enter", "jquery.timepicker", "date"],
+    function(ValidatingView, CodeMirror, _, $, ui, tzAbbr, FileUploadModel, FileUploadDialog, TriggerChangeEventOnEnter) {
 
 var DetailsView = ValidatingView.extend({
     // Model class is CMS.Models.Settings.CourseDetails
@@ -121,7 +122,7 @@ var DetailsView = ValidatingView.extend({
 
         // Using the change event causes setfield to be triggered twice, but it is necessary
         // to pick up when the date is typed directly in the field.
-        datefield.change(setfield);
+        datefield.change(setfield).keyup(TriggerChangeEventOnEnter);
         timefield.on('changeTime', setfield);
         timefield.on('input', setfield);