Individuals must first hold a valid Illinois teaching certificate.
To enroll in courses at NIU you may be admitted as either a Student-at-Large or as a Graduate Student by the Graduate School. Being admitted as a Student-at-Large requires that you must hold at least a bachelor's degree, complete the Student-at-Large application form, and submit the necessary additional paperwork to The Graduate School. Being admitted as a Graduate Student requires a completed Graduate Student application form, submitting the necessary additional paperwork, and meeting the minimum qualifications as set forth by the desired graduate degree program. Complete the appropriate application form and send it to The Graduate School. Arrange to have transcripts of previous college course work (and other necessary documentation) sent directly to The Graduate School, as directed on the form.
Students may seek certification or endorsement as a Student-at-Large (SAL) without being admitted to a degree program. Students wishing a graduate degree may then apply for, and be admitted to, a degree program in Instructional Technology. However, only a maximum of 15 SAL and transfer semester hours in combination may be applied toward a graduate degree in instructional technology. Students considering this alternative are urged to talk with their adviser early in their graduate studies.
Consider applying for an M.S.Ed. or an Ed.D. degree in Instructional Technology. Certification and endorsement courses can be included in degree programs, but there is a limit on the number of hours that may be accepted toward a graduate degree. The master's degree program requires 39 credit hours for completion. The doctoral degree program requires 63 credit hours beyond a master's degree. To apply for a degree program, consult with the ETRA program advisor. Further information about graduate degrees is available in the Graduate Catalog.
Finally, be sure to apply for permission to pursue a course of study for Library Information Specialist or Technology Specialist in the department. Complete the Student Information Sheet and a Course of Study Planning Checklist for either the endorsement or the certificate. This information will aid us in helping you obtain your credentials and ensure receipt of important mailings from our office. Consult with the department's program advisor as you work to complete these forms; however, both forms must be on file in the department office before enrolling in courses. Registration for select courses may be restricted to those students who are on file in the department as pursuing a certain course of study.