Academic Calendar
Luther operates on a 4-1-4 academic calendar. First semester runs from September to December, followed by a three-week January Term. Second semester runs from February to May. In the liberal arts tradition of broad inquiry, students often use J-term to study abroad, perform internships in their field, or study one topic intensely while on campus.
Two four-week summer sessions are offered at Luther, one in June and another in July.
Below is the current academic year calendar. Click on the heading above each term to be linked to additional notable dates and deadlines within each.
If you have questions on the academic calendar, please contact the Luther College Registrar’s Office at (563) 387-1167 or registrar@luther.edu.
Subscribe to the Luther College Academic Calendar.
Fall Semester 2025
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Monday, August 25 – Friday, August 29 | Orientation of new international students |
| Thursday, August 28 – Friday, August 29 | Faculty days |
| Saturday, August 30 | First-year students arrive |
| Saturday, August 30 – Tuesday, September 2 | Orientation of new students |
| Sunday, August 31 | Returning students arrive |
| Wednesday, September 3 | Fall semester classes begin |
| Friday, September 12 | Last day to add or drop (without a "W") full semester classes" |
| Friday, September 19 – Sunday, September 21 | Family Weekend |
| Friday, October 3 – Sunday, October 5 | Homecoming |
| Friday, October 17 | End of first half of semester |
| Saturday, October 18 – Wednesday, October 22 | Fall vacation |
| Friday, October 31 | Last day to withdraw from full semester classes with "W"" |
| Wednesday, November 26 – Sunday, November 30 | Thanksgiving vacation |
| Thursday, December 4 – Sunday, December 7 | Christmas at Luther |
| Friday, December 12 | Last day of classes |
| Monday, December 15 – Thursday, December 18 | Final examinations |
Spring Semester 2026
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, February 4 | Spring semester classes begin |
| Friday, February 13 | Last day to add or drop (without a "W") full semester classes" |
| Friday, March 20 | End of first half of semester |
| Saturday, March 21 – Sunday, March 29 | Spring vacation |
| Thursday, April 9 | Last day to withdraw from full semester class with"W" |
| Friday, April 3- Monday, April 6 | Easter vacation |
| Friday, May 8 | Learning @ Luther Showcase (no classes) |
| Friday, May 15 | Last day of classes |
| Monday, May 18 – Thursday, May 21 | Final examinations |
| Sunday, May 24 | Commencement |
Summer 2026
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| DATES & EVENTS FOR SUMMER SESSION 1 | |
| Mon. June 1 | Summer Session 1 classes begin |
| Tues. June 2 | Last day to add or drop a course (W grade appears on transcript for each drop processed after this date) Last day to authorize CR/NO CREDIT grading for a course Last day to authorize AUDIT for a course |
| Thurs. June 11 | Last day to withdraw from a Summer Session 1 class with a W grade |
| Thurs. June 25 | Last day to cancel CR/NO CREDIT authorization |
| Fri. June 26 | Last day of Summer Session 1 classes |
| DATES & EVENTS FOR SUMMER SESSION 2 | |
| Mon. June 29 | Summer Session 2 classes begin |
| Tues. June 30 | Last day to add or drop a course (W grade appears on transcript for each drop processed after this date) Last day to authorize CR/NO CREDIT grading for a course Last day to authorize AUDIT for a course |
| Thurs. July 9 | Last day to withdraw from a Summer Session 2 class with a W grade |
| Thurs. July 23 | Last day to cancel CR/NO CREDIT authorization |
| Fri. July 24 | Last day of Summer Session 2 classes |
| DATES & EVENTS FOR SUMMER TERM | |
| Mon. June 1 | Summer Term classes begin |
| Mon. June 8 | Last day to add or drop a course (W grade appears on transcript for each drop processed after this date) Last day to authorize CR/NO CREDIT grading for a course Last day to authorize AUDIT for a course |
| Tues. July 7 | Last day to withdraw from a Summer Term class with a W grade |
| Thurs. Aug. 20 | Last day to cancel CR/NO CREDIT authorization |
| Fri. Aug. 21 | Last day of Summer Term classes |
Office of the Registrar
Main Building 123
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1167
Fax: 563-387-1129