Students-at-Large are not admitted to a degree-granting program. As non-degree seeking students, SALs have permission to take graduate-level classes. If admitted to a degree-granting program, students-at-large can apply toward a degree a limited number of hours taken as an SAL.
Click here for more information.
New and returning graduate students can learn about the following procedures:
Click here to learn more about these procedures.
The graduate degrees and performer's certificate offered by the university are listed alphabetically by subject area. Several of the degrees offer areas of specialization.
Click here for more information.
The Graduate School tries to make the application process as easy as possible. A person can apply as a degree-seeking student in one of two ways. The preferred way is to submit an application online. Online applications speed the process and ensure the accuracy of records. Online applications over the secure server require a credit card to pay the application fee.
Click here for more information.
The College of Education offers more than 30 degrees through its six departments. Visit the departmental sites to learn more about the academic programs or review specific course requirements and descriptions in the undergraduate or graduate catalog.
Click here for more information.
For information concerning departmental level policies, such as the following, contact the specific department.
Click here for departmental contact information.
Find out information regarding the following policies.
Click here for more information.
The Office of the Bursar processes refunds on credit balances. All refunds are mailed to the student's local address or directly deposited to the student's checking or savings account, if set up.
Click here for more information.
Learn about Illinois and federal laws pertaining to information, records, privacy, and credit transactions. Also, this site provides links to other resources regarding computer emergency readiness and payment security standards.
Click here for more information.
The NIU technology policies site contains information regarding the following policies:
Click here for more information.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Registration and Records provides FERPA training for NIU faculty and staff. The University is legally and ethically obligated to protect the confidentiality of student records. To be granted access to student records, one must review the FERPA tutorial and complete a brief quiz.
The tutorial will provide its participants with knowledge of laws and policies governing acceptable use and release of student records, an understanding of your responsibilities in complying with these laws and policies, and an understanding of how to protect a student's right to privacy.
Click here to learn more and/or complete the tutorial.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals' privacy by providing restrictions on how medical records and other personal health information are used. The rule also allows patients to make more informed choices when seeking healthcare and reimbursement for care depending on how patients' personal information is used.
Click here to learn more about the HIPAA Privacy Policy.
Illinois Personal Record Review Act
This act informs employees of their right to review, copy and correct personnel records, and also informs employers about their right to gather and use information about the employee.
Click here to learn more about the Illinois Personal Record Review Act.
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews research proposals that involve human participants. Even projects that involve minimal involvement of human participants, such as surveys or questionnaires, require some procedural IRB review. The department chair or director of graduate studies should have specific procedures in place for each department. The IRB Chairs are Professor David Henningsen and Professor Andrea Bonnicksen.
Click here to learn more about the IRB.
Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources Non-Discrimination/Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedures for Employees and Students
Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources (AADR) at Northern Illinois University is a multifaceted department committed to ensuring that equal employment opportunities and diversity exist throughout the university community. In part, its mission is to achieve a consistent pursuit of excellence in services, programs, and policies that value and reflect diversity and the institution's commitment not to engage in any employment, academic, or institutional decisions on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications. (Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources- Mission Statement)
Click here for more information.
Discover the policies regarding final examinations, special circumstances in which students are scheduled for three finals in the same day or two finals at the same time, or the rescheduling of finals due to closure of the university.
Click here for more information.
Click here for more information.
"The College of Education, in its leadership role in the state and region, prepares professional educators who are responsive to the needs of constituencies and audiences with whom they interact. State-of-the-art preparation addressing current societal needs is a symbol of the responsibility the college takes for its students. Among the societal needs to which the college is dedicated are issues associated with the interface of technology and the infusion of cognitive and affective dimensions related to a multi-cultural, pluralistic society. The college's intent is that its graduates will be responsible masters of change and adaptation and be responsive to the needs of an ever-changing society. The College of Education, in its focus on excellence, promotes a professional development school relationship with a local school district(s) which will be able to involve all of the college's disciplines as well as partnerships with appropriate agencies, business, and industry."
Click here for more information.
The College is guided by a core set of tenets that are broadly defined as knowledge, practice, and reflection. Both teachers and students are encouraged to adhere to these principles.