Calendar Dates for Field Placements All courses requiring students to complete field-based clinical components follow the University calendar. Student teaching assignments begin and end on the dates indicated in the teacher candidate’s confirmation letter sent by the Office of Field Experiences. However, start and end dates for student teaching may need to be modified dependent on the needs of the school district and placement site. Upon confirmation of the placement, it is the responsibility of the student teacher to contact the mentor teacher and supervisor to determine a schedule for the experience. In all cases, a minimum of 10-weeks of full-day student teaching (not counting spring break) is required. The placement must end no later than the end of the university’s quarter. During Spring Quarter, the placement ends when the NCE/NLU quarter ends or the last day of the school year for the district where the placement site is located, whichever comes first.
Calendar for Field Experiences 2025-2026
NLU Academic Calendar
Academic Term Dates
Fall Term Dates Sept 22, 2025 – November 30, 2025 Fall 2025 Sept 22 – Nov 28
Winter Term Dates Jan 19, 2026 - March 22, 2026 Winter 2026 Jan 19 - Mar 20
Spring Term Dates April 6, 2026 - June 14, 2026 Spring 2026 March 16 - June 5
Field Experience Dates
Term Dates Classes Begin
Begin Experience
Second week of quarter
Second week of quarter
N/A
Practicum
End Experience
Friday, November 28
N/A
Friday, March 20
NOTE: For students moving into Spring Student Teaching, field hours will need to be completed by March 13 h .
Monday, March 16 (see ** Note below)
Begin Experience
When the school district begins in August Minimum of 10 weeks based on placement site start dates (excluding fall break)
When teachers report in January
Full-day Student Teaching
End Experience
Friday, June 5 (OR minimum of
Friday, March 20
(OR minimum of 10 weeks based on placement site start date, excluding spring break )
10 weeks based on placement site start date, excluding spring break) **NOTE : If schools end on May 22, student teachers begin on March 9, 2026.
Please note: These dates are meant to be ranges for practicum and student teaching as every placement site is different. However, in all cases, a minimum of 10-weeks of full-day student teaching (not counting fall or spring breaks) is required.
SEC Practicum/ST Handbook 2025-2026
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