Academic Calendar Principles

University of Iowa Academic Calendar Principles

The University of Iowa has established certain guidelines that determine the start/end date and length of each session.

Policy effective fall 2021. Any adjustments or exceptions to the Academic Calendar Principles requires prior approval.

Must have 15 weeks of instructional time
Start fall semester on the latest day possible given the following constraints:
- No classes on Labor Day
- A full week for Fall Break. Fall Break/Thanksgiving will begin the 4th Sunday in November and run Sunday to Sunday.
- The last date of the final exam period is no later than December 20

Must occur during the four weeks between the end of the fall semester and the beginning of spring
There cannot be more than four weeks between end of fall and beginning of spring

Must have 15 weeks of instructional time
No classes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Must start four weeks from the end of the fall semester (should start the 5th week after the close of finals)
A full week for Spring Break. Spring Break will begin the 11th Monday of the calendar year and run Sunday to Sunday.
The last date of the final exam period is no later than May 17.

Must have 12 weeks of instructional time
No classes on Memorial Day
No classes in observance of Independence Day (adjustments made if it falls on a weekend)
Subsessions:
- 4, 6 week I, and 12 week subsessions will start the first Monday after spring commencement weekend
- 8 week will begin the Monday after the 4 week subsession ends
- 6 week II will begin the Monday after the 6 week I subsession ends
- Close of Subsessions on Thursdays; Final Exam Days on Friday