Academic Calendars through Summer 2030

Please note: Commencement times and details may not be finalized and are subject to change.

Spring 2025Important dates
University Holiday, MLK Day Monday, January 20
Spring Semester BeginsTuesday, January 21
Spring BreakMonday - Friday, March 17 - 21
Spring Prep WeekMonday - Friday, May 5 - 9 
Spring Final Exam WeekMonday - Thursday, May 12 - 15
Graduate College University Commencement CeremonyThursday, May 15
Spring Semester EndsFriday, May 16
Veterinary Medicine University Commencement CeremonyFriday, May 16
Undergraduate University Commencement CeremoniesSaturday, May 17

Summer 2025Important dates
Summer Semester Begins                                              Monday, May 19
University Holiday, Memorial DayMonday, May 26
University Holiday, Independence DayFriday, July 4
Summer Session EndsFriday, August 8
Final Grades DueTuesday, August 12 at 3:00 PM
Final Grades Publish to StudentsWednesday, August 13

Fall 2025Important dates
Fall Semester Begins                                              Monday, August 25
University Holiday, Labor DayMonday, September 1
Interim Grades DueFriday, October 17 at 3:00 PM
Interim Grades Publish Monday, October 20
Thanksgiving BreakMonday - Friday, November 24 - 28
University Holidays, ThanksgivingThursday and Friday, November 27 and 28
Fall Prep WeekMonday - Friday, December 8 - 12
Fall Final Exam WeekMonday - Thursday, December 15 - 18
Fall Semester EndsFriday, December 19
Graduate College University Commencement CeremonyFriday, December 19
Undergraduate University Commencement CeremonySaturday, December 20
Final Grades DueMonday, December 22 at 3:00 PM
Final Grades Publish to StudentsTuesday, December 23

Winter 2026Important dates
Winter Session, Week 1                                   Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, December 22, 23, and 24
University Holiday, Christmas                                  Thursday and Friday, December 25 and 26
Winter Session, Week 2Monday - Wednesday, December 29 - 31 and Friday, January 2
University Holiday, New Years DayThursday, January 1
Winter Session, Week 3Monday - Friday, January 5 - 9
Winter Session, Week 4Monday - Friday, January 12 - 16
Final ExamsFriday, January 16

Spring 2026Important dates
University Holiday, MLK DayMonday, January 19
Spring Semester BeginsTuesday, January 20
Spring BreakMonday - Friday, March 16 - 20
Spring Prep WeekMonday - Friday, May 4-8
Spring Final Exam WeekMonday - Thursday, May 11-14
Spring Semester EndsFriday, May 15

Summer 2026Important dates
Summer Session BeginsMonday, May 18
University Holiday, Memorial DayMonday, May 25
University Holiday, Independence DayFriday, July 3
Summer Session EndsFriday, August 7

Fall 2026Important dates
Fall Semester BeginsMonday, August 24
University Holiday, Labor DayMonday, September 7             
Thanksgiving BreakMonday - Friday, November 23 - 27  
University Holidays, Thanksgiving                    Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27
Fall Prep WeekMonday - Friday, December 7 - 11
Fall Final Exam WeekMonday - Thursday, December 14 - 17
Fall Semester EndsFriday, December 18

Winter 2027Important dates
Winter Session, Week 1                                      Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, December 21 - 23
University Holiday, Christmas                                  Thursday and Friday, December 24 and 25
Winter Session, Week 2Monday - Thursday, December 28 - 31
University Holiday, New Years DayFriday, January 1
Winter Session, Week 3Monday - Friday, January 4 - 8
Winter Session, Week 4Monday - Friday, January 11 - 15
Final ExamsFriday, January 15

Spring 2027Important dates
University Holiday, MLK DayMonday, January 18
Spring Semester Begins                   Tuesday, January 19
Spring BreakMonday - Friday, March 15 - 19
Spring Prep WeekMonday - Friday, May 3 - 7
Spring Final Exam WeekMonday - Thursday, May 10 - 13
Spring Semester EndsFriday, May 14

Summer 2027Important dates
Summer Session Begins     Monday, May 17
University Holiday, Memorial Day   Monday, May 31                     
University Holiday, Independence DayMonday, July 5
Summer Session Ends  Friday, August 6

Fall 2027Important dates
Fall Semester BeginsMonday, August 23, 2027
University Holiday, Labor DayMonday, September 6, 2027
Thanksgiving Break WeekNovember 22-26, 2027
University Holiday, ThanksgivingThursday, November 25, 2027
University Holiday, ThanksgivingFriday, November 26, 2027
Fall Classes EndFriday, December 10, 2027
Final ExamsDecember 13-16, 2027
Fall Semester EndsFriday, December 17, 2027

Winter 2028Important dates
Week 1December 20-22, 2027
University Holiday, ChristmasThursday, December 23, 2027
University Holiday, ChristmasFriday, December 24, 2027
Week 2December 27-30, 2027
University Holiday, New Years EveFriday, December 31, 2027
Week 3January 3-7, 2028
Week 4January 10-14, 2028
Final ExamsFriday, January 14, 2028

Spring 2028Important dates
University Holiday, MLK DayMonday, January 17, 2028
Spring Semester BeginsTuesday, January 18, 2028
Spring Break WeekMarch 13-17, 2028
Spring Classes EndFriday, May 5, 2028
Final ExamsMay 8-11, 2028
Spring Semester EndsFriday, May 12, 2028

Summer 2028Important dates
Summer Session BeginsMonday, May 15, 2028
University Holiday, Memorial DayMonday, May 29, 2028
University Holiday, Independence DayTuesday, July 4, 2028
Summer Session EndsFriday, August 4, 2028

Fall 2028Important dates
Fall Semester BeginsMonday, August 21, 2028
University Holiday, Labor DayMonday, September 4, 2028
Thanksgiving Break WeekNovember 20-24, 2028
University Holiday, ThanksgivingThursday, November 23, 2028
University Holiday, ThanksgivingFriday, November 24, 2028
Fall Classes EndFriday, December 8, 2028
Final ExamsDecember 11-14, 2028
Fall Semester EndsFriday, December 15, 2028

Winter 2029Important dates
Week 1December 18-22, 2028
University Holiday, ChristmasMonday, December 25, 2028
University Holiday, ChristmasTuesday, December 26, 2028
Week 2December 27-29, 2028
University Holiday, New Years EveMonday, January 1, 2029
Week 3January 2-5, 2029
Week 4January 8-12, 2029
Final ExamsFriday, January 12, 2029

Spring 2029Important dates
University Holiday, MLK DayMonday, January 15, 2029
Spring Semester BeginsTuesday, January 16, 2029
Spring Break WeekMarch 12-16, 2029
Spring Classes EndFriday, May 4, 2029
Final ExamsMay 7-10, 2029
Spring Semester EndsFriday, May 11, 2029

Summer 2029Important dates
Summer Session BeginsMonday, May 14, 2029
University Holiday, Memorial DayMonday, May 28, 2029
University Holiday, Independence DayWednesday, July 4, 2029
Summer Session EndsFriday, August 3, 2029

Fall 2029Important dates
Fall Semester BeginsMonday, August 20, 2029
University Holiday, Labor DayMonday, September 3, 2029
Thanksgiving Break WeekNovember 19-23, 2029
University Holiday, ThanksgivingThursday, November 22, 2029
University Holiday, ThanksgivingFriday, November 23, 2029
Fall Classes EndFriday, December 7, 2029
Final ExamsDecember 10-13, 2029
Fall Semester EndsFriday, December 14, 2029

Winter 2030Important dates
Week 1December 17-21, 2029
University Holiday, ChristmasMonday, December 24, 2029
University Holiday, ChristmasTuesday, December 25, 2029
Week 2December 26-28, 2029
University Holiday, New Years EveTuesday, January 1, 2030
Week 3Monday, December 31, 2029 and January 2-4, 2030
Week 4January 7-11, 2030
Final ExamsFriday, January 11, 2030

Spring 2030Important dates
Spring Semester BeginsMonday, January 14, 2030
University Holiday, MLK DayMonday, January 21, 2030
Spring Break WeekMarch 18-22, 2030
Spring Classes EndFriday, May 3, 2030
Final ExamsMay 6-9, 2030
Spring Semester EndsFriday, May 10, 2030

Summer 2030Important dates
Summer Session BeginsMonday, May 13, 2030
University Holiday, Memorial DayMonday, May 27, 2030
University Holiday, Independence DayThursday, July 4, 2030
Summer Session EndsFriday, August 2, 2030

Academic Calendar Archive

YearFall
Start		DayThanksgivingCommencementSpring
Start		DayDays in
winter
break		Spring
Break		Commencement
2020-202117- AugM11/26-11/2728-Nov25 -   JanM42none8-May
2019-202026-AugM11/25-11/2921-Dec13-JanM153/16-3/209-May
2018-201920-AugM11/19-11/2315-Dec14-JanM203/18-3/2211-May
2017-201821-AugM11/20-11/2416-Dec8-JanM153/12-3/165-May
2016-201722-AugM11/21-11/2517-Dec9-JanM153/13-3/176-May
2015-201624-AugM11/23-11/2719-Dec11-JanM153/14-3/187-May
2014-201525-AugM11/24-11/2820-Dec12-JanM153/16-3/209-May
2013-201426-AugM11/25-11/2921-Dec13-JanM153/17-3/2110-May
2012-201320-AugM11/19-11/2315-Dec14-JanM203/18-3/2211-May
2011-201222-AugM11/21-11/2517-Dec9-JanM223/12-3/165-May
2010-201123-AugM11/22-11/2618-Dec10-JanM223/14-3/187-May
2009-201024-AugM11/23-11/2719-Dec11-JanM223/15-3/198-May
2008-200925-AugM11/24-11/2820-Dec12-Jan.M223/16-3/209-May
2007-200820-AugM11/19-11/2315-Dec14-JanM293/17-3/2110-May
2006-200721-AugM11/20-11/2416-Dec8-JanM223/12-3/165-May
2005-200622-AugM11/21-11/2517-Dec9-JanM223/13-3/176-May
2004-200523-AugM11/22-11/2618-Dec10-JanM223/14-3/187-May
2003-200425-AugM11/24-11/2820-Dec12-JanM223/15-3/198-May
2002-200326-AugM11/25-11/2921-Dec13-JanM223/17-3/2110-May
2001-200227-AugM11/19-11/2322-Dec14-JanM223/18-3/2211-May
2000-200121-AugM11/20-11/2416-Dec8-JanM223/12-3/165-May
1999-200023-AugM11/22-11/2618-Dec10-JanM223/13-3/176-May
1998-199924-AugM11/23-11/2719-Dec11-JanM223/15-3/198-May
1997-199825-AugM11/24-11/2820-Dec12-JanM223/16-3/209-May
1996-199726-AugM11/25-11/2921-Dec13-JanM223/10-3/1410-May
1995-199621-AugM11/20-11/2416-Dec16-JanT303/11-3/1511-May
1994-199522-AugM11/21-11/2517-Dec17-JanT303/13-3/1713-May
1993-199423-AugM11/22-11/2618-Dec18-JanT303/14-3/1914-May
1992-199324-AugM11/23-11/2719-Dec18-JanM293/8-3/1215-May
1991-199226-AugM11/25-11/2921-Dec20-JanM293/9-3/1316-May
1990-199127-AugM11/19-11/2322-Dec21-JanM293/11-3/1518-May
1989-199028-AugM11/20-11/2423-Dec22-JanM293/12-3/1619-May
1988-198924-AugW11/23-11/2517-Dec18-JanW313/10-3/17 ***20-May
1987-198826-AugW11/25-11/2719-Dec20-JanW313/11-3/18 ***21-May
1986-198727-AugW11/26-11/2820-Dec14-JanW243/6-3/13 ***16-May
1985-198628-AugW11/27-11/2921-Dec15-JanW243/7-3/14 ***17-May
1984-198529-AugW11/21-11/2322-Dec16-JanW243/11-3/1518-May
1983-198424-AugW11/23-11/2517-Dec18-JanW313/12-3/1619-May
1982-198325-AugW11/24-11/2618-Dec19-JanW313/21-3/2521-May
1981-198226-AugW11/25-11/2719-Dec13-JanW243/15-3/1915-May

***Spring Break in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1989 included a Friday and the following Monday through Friday.

Calendar Principles and Guidelines

  • Maintain 15-weeks of instruction, with no fewer than 74 days, plus one week of final exams for the Fall and Spring semesters. 
  • Schedule a 4-week Winter session. 
  • Schedule a 12-week Summer session. 
  • Schedule holidays  in accordance with the university's holiday policy and Iowa Code Section 1C.2, Paid holidays. 
    • Note: When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the Friday preceding will be declared the holiday. When any holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be declared a holiday.
      • Note: This generally results in nine holidays per calendar year; however, when January 1 falls on a Saturday, the New Year’s Day holiday for the new calendar year will be observed on Friday, December 31. This results in the prior calendar year having ten holidays and the new calendar year having nine holidays. 
  • 3-credit Monday/Wednesday/Friday lecture/recitation classes during Fall and Spring Semesters shall normally meet 50 minutes per class period (i.e., 2,200 total minutes of instruction per semester).
  • 3-credit Tuesday/Thursday lecture/recitation classes during fall and spring semesters shall normally meet 75 minutes per class period (i.e., 2,250 total minutes of instruction per semester).
  • Balance, as much as possible, M-T-W-R-F classes.
  • Maintain a final examination week with a M-F format for fall and spring semesters.

  • Start Fall semester on the latest day possible with following constraints observed: 
    • Have a full week break the week of the Thanksgiving holiday.
    • Hold the last day of final exams no later than December 20. 
    • Hold commencement no later than December 21.
  • Maintain 15-weeks of instruction, with no fewer than 74 days, plus one week of final exams for Fall and Spring semester. 

  • Begin Winter Session on the Monday (if not a holiday) following the end of Fall Semester (i.e., after final exams conclude). 
  • Schedule a four-week Winter Session.

  • Begin classes on the fifth week after the end of Fall Semester (i.e., after finals conclude). 
    • Note: Generally, classes for Spring Semester would begin on the third Tuesday of the calendar year (i.e., the day after Martin Luther King Day); however, in years when Winter Session ends two weeks prior to Martin Luther King Day, Spring Semester classes will have to begin on the second Monday of the calendar year. 
  • Schedule Spring Break the week of the eleventh Monday of the calendar year. 
  • Hold last day of final exams no later than May 17.
  • Maintain 15-weeks of instruction, with no fewer than 74 days, plus one week of final exams for Fall and Spring semester. 

  • Begin Summer Session following the end of Spring Semester (i.e., after final exams conclude). 
  • Schedule a 12-week Summer Session.
  • Schedule at least a two-week break between Summer Session and Fall Semester.

  • Principles shall be reviewed by the Registrars of the three universities every five years. 
    • Note: The next review of the Calendar Principles will take place in Summer 2026. 

  • When developing the academic calendar for future years, have Human Resources review to ensure compliance with all employee contract provisions. 
  • Once the academic calendar is approved by the Board Office, it should be shared with area school districts to encourage alignment of breaks (e.g., Spring Break).