SPE-MAT-Handbook-2025-2026

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 depending 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 cooperating 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 fall or spring breaks) 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 in which 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

Spring Term Dates April 6, 2026 - June 14, 2026 Spring 2026 March 16 - June 5

Field Experience Dates

Term Dates Classes Begin

Winter 2026 Jan 19 - Mar 20

Begin Experience

Second week of quarter

Second week of quarter

N/A

Practicum

End Experience

Friday, November 28

Friday, March 20 NOTE: For students moving into Spring Student Teaching, field hours will need to be completed by March 13 h .

N/A

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, March 20

Friday, June 5

(OR minimum of 10 weeks based on placement site start date, excluding spring break)

(OR minimum of 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.

44 / MAT (Program) Handbook

Powered by