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Limited Admissions Requirements
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The majors, emphases, and areas of study listed below, offered by the departments and schools indicated, have limited admissions. Admission into these majors, emphases, and areas of study is based on additional criteria. Students planning to pursue these courses of study must fulfill additional requirements such as GPA, specific course work, supplementary documents, and sophomore or junior standing.
In keeping with Northern Illinois University’s commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action, the restrictions on admission described below are carefully administered to ensure that students from underrepresented groups who are seeking such admission are given the opportunity to accomplish that goal. The university attempts to fulfill societal needs by admitting students from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. The limited admissions criteria are applied to ensure that all of the students admitted to such a major, emphasis, or area of study will have achieved above a determined level.
Acting Emphasis
(School of Theatre and Dance)
All applicants (freshmen and transfers) must be eligible for admission to the university. In addition, applicants for the B.F.A. acting emphasis must pass an audition and interview. Contact the School of Theatre and Dance as early as possible for information.
Applied Manufacturing Technology Emphasis
(Department of Technology)
The emphasis in applied manufacturing technology in the Department of Technology is limited to transfer students with an Associate of Applied Science degree with a major in a recognized technical area. For more specific information regarding admission to this emphasis contact the Department of Technology.
Art and Design Education
(School of Art and Design)
The School of Art and Design limits the number of students admitted to the major in art and design education (B.S.Ed), educator licensure. Students must present an art education entrance portfolio consisting of studio work and appropriate art education materials to the art education faculty at the end of the semester in which they are enrolled in ARTE 200 and pass the portfolio review for admission into the licensure program. Students must receive a grade of C or better in all major course requirements. Students must have a minimum 2.75 GPA in all NIU and transfer courses to enroll in art education courses. They must have a minimum of 2.50 GPA in all NIU courses to obtain entitlement for educator licensure in the state of Illinois.
Candidates who successfully complete the program and pass the state mandated Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) will have completed all required ISBE and CAEP standards for receiving university recommendation for licensure. Successful completion of the program without receipt of a passing score on the state-mandated Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) may result in the candidate receiving a degree without university recommendation for licensure.
Art Studio and Design (B.F.A.)
(School of Art and Design)
A portfolio review is required for admission into the major in art studio and design (B.F.A.) after completion of designated courses in the chosen field of study. Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
Computer Science Major
(Department of Computer Science)
The total number of students accepted into a computer science major is limited by the available resources and is competitive in relation to requirements for declaration. Transfer students compete with other transfer students for admission to the departmental emphases, and nontransfer NIU students compete with other nontransfer NIU students.
All students wishing to be formally admitted into one of the computer science emphases must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours with a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA on a 4.00 scale including the following courses.
*ENGL 103, Rhetoric and Composition I (3), and OR *ENGL 203 - Rhetoric and Composition II, Research Writing in the Domains (3), OR *ENGL 204 - Rhetoric and Composition, Accelerated Researched Writing in the Domains (3), if placed in ENGL 204
OR pass the writing foundational studies II Examination (0)
*MATH 206, Introductory Discrete Mathematics (3), and *MATH 211, Calculus for Business and Social Science (3),
OR *MATH 206, Introductory Discrete Mathematics (3), and *MATH 229, Calculus I (4),
OR *MATH 229 and MATH 230, Calculus I and II (8)
CSCI 240, Computer Programming in C++ (4)
Once admitted to the major, a student must maintain at least a 2.00 GPA in computer science courses.
Students currently enrolled at NIU who have completed the above requirements are eligible to apply for admission to the major. Applications for admission to the department must be filed at the computer science departmental office. Unless the student meets all requirements for admission into the major at the time they submit their application, responses will be sent after the completion of the current term.
Transfer students must seek departmental advisement at orientation or just prior to the beginning of their first semester on campus. For all students not yet admitted into the major, the department will advise them when to declare, and they will be given access to appropriate computer science courses prior to their formal admission into the program.
Design and Technology Emphasis
(School of Theatre and Dance)
All applicants (freshmen and transfers) must be eligible for admission to the university. In addition, applicants for the B.F.A. design and technology emphasis must pass a portfolio review. Contact the School of Theatre and Dance as early as possible for information.
Health Sciences Degree Completion Emphasis
(School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions)
All applicants must be practicing health or human sciences professionals who hold a current professional credential, certification, or license in a health or human sciences field and have completed an applied associate’s degree program or equivalent number of credits. The professional credential, certificate or license must be in the field in which the applicant is working or attempting to work. Contact the College of Health and Human Sciences advising office or visit niu.edu/ora for the application forms.
Medical Laboratory Sciences Major
(School of Health Studies)
The School of Health Studies limits the total number of students admitted to the medical laboratory sciences major depending upon resources available. This limitation applies to all applicants seeking admission to the medical laboratory sciences major. Students may enter the professional program only in the fall semester.
The admission requirements outlined below are subject to revision based on an annual review. Applications are reviewed for completion of prerequisites and all general education requirements must be satisfied prior to the beginning of the first semester of the clinical experience.
To be considered for admission to the medical laboratory sciences major, students must be admitted to NIU and have completed or be in the process of completing a minimum of 11 of the prerequisite courses listed below. Admission is competitive and will be based primarily on the GPA in the prerequisite courses and secondarily on the overall GPA, letters of recommendation, and personal goal statement. Transfer students are encouraged to contact a program advisor before enrolling to determine whether prior course work satisfies prerequisites. For applicants with prerequisite courses in progress, admission is provisional with the expectation that students selected for admission must have completed all of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
BIOS 208, Fundamentals of Biology I (3), and BIOS 210, Fundamentals of Biology I Laboratory (1)
BIOS 209, Fundamentals of Biology II (3), and BIOS 211, Fundamentals of Biology II Laboratory (1)
BIOS 213, Introductory Bacteriology (3), OR BIOS 313, Microbiology (4)
BIOS 357, Human Anatomy and Physiology (5)
*CHEM 210, General Chemistry I (3), and *CHEM 212, General Chemistry Laboratory (1)
*CHEM 211, General Chemistry II (3), and *CHEM 213, General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
CHEM 310, Introductory Organic and Biological Chemistry (3)
CHEM 311, Introductory Organic and Biological Chemistry (1)
*STAT 100, Basic Statistics (3)
All students who meet the above requirements will be required to
submit a completed medical laboratory sciences program application;
provide a brief written goal statement and explanation of why the medical laboratory sciences major was chosen; and
provide two letters of recommendation from science instructors or healthcare supervisors who are familiar with the applicant’s classroom and/or laboratory abilities.
Students interested in the MLS major may access application materials on the website; http://www.chhs.niu.edu/mls. Applicants must submit the required materials by February 1. Notification of medical laboratory sciences program admission status will be made by March 1. Additional applications may be considered before May 1 based upon space availability with notification made by June 1. Students who are admitted to the MLS program and choose to attend NIU are required to have a Hepatitis B titer by blood test prior to beginning the program.
Music Majors
(School of Music)
Applicants must pass an audition and may be required to complete a music theory and aural skills diagnostic test for admission to the School of Music. Music applicants should submit application materials to the Office of Admissions and contact the School of Music, Music Building 140, as early as possible for audition and testing information.
Nursing Major
(School of Nursing)
The School of Nursing limits the total number of students admitted to the program depending on the resources available. This limitation applies to all applicants seeking admission to the nursing major.
Nursing applicants must achieve a grade of C or better in all nursing prerequisite courses. Admission is competitive and is based on a comprehensive admission profile. Freshmen, current NIU, and transfer applicants will be reviewed once a year for admission. Registered nurse students may enter the program in either the fall semester or the spring semester. Students approved for admission to the major will be notified by the end of the spring semester. Admitted students are required to obtain school advisement at orientation.
Applicants new to the university must have submitted all application materials to the Office of Admissions by January 15. Current NIU students should submit all application materials to the nursing program by January 15.
Any applicant who has had an extended absence from postsecondary course work or who is attempting a second baccalaureate degree may petition the nursing program for special consideration in the admission review process.
To be admitted to and remain in the nursing program, students must meet academic requirements and possess the skills listed as “Essential Performance Components” in the School of Nursing section of this catalog.
All students who are admitted to the nursing program are admitted provisionally until they have provided proof of meeting the clinical requirements outlined in the Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook. Full admission to the nursing program is required to enroll in nursing courses. All nursing majors are required to submit proof of having met clinical requirements when requested and must maintain clinical requirements for continued enrollment in the nursing major. The Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook contains additional policies related to admission and progression through the nursing program.
If a previously admitted NIU nursing student is readmitted to the nursing program, any NIU nursing courses completed five years prior to readmission must be repeated. Nursing courses completed more than five years prior to admission will need to be retaken to meet the major requirements.
Freshmen
Applicants with fewer than 24 post-secondary semester hours completed by the application deadline will be considered as freshmen. Admission is competitive and will be based on such factors as previous academic performance and high school rank. An established GPA at NIU may be a factor considered in admission decisions. Applicants new to the university must indicate interest in the nursing program on the application for admission to the university. Applications for admission must be filed at the Office of Admissions. To be considered for admission to the nursing major, freshman applicants must have submitted all application materials to NIU by January 15.
Direct Admit: Highly qualified freshmen applicants with a high school GPA of 3.75 or greater or top 10% of their graduating class who complete the admission processes may be considered for early admission to the nursing program.
On Campus Freshman: Highly qualified applicants currently enrolled at NIU with a NIU GPA of 3.25 or greater, but who have fewer than 24 semester hours, must have all application documents submitted by January 15 to the nursing program.
Current NIU Students
Applicants with fewer than 24 post-secondary semester hours completed by the application deadline will be considered as freshmen (see previous section). Current NIU student applicants are defined as those who have earned 24 or more post secondary semester hours and must have an established NIU GPA with a minimum of 12 hours that apply to the student’s major, minor, or general education requirements. Current NIU students will be reviewed as a separate applicant pool.
By the January 15 application deadline, current NIU students must submit an on-campus application. It is preferred that students complete the following prerequisite courses by the January 15 deadline: BIOS 103 and BIOS 105, BIOS 357, CHEM 110 and CHEM 111 or CHEM 210 and CHEM 212, ENG 203 and STAT 100. All prerequisites must be completed in order to start the program. Students must have an NIU pre-requisite GPA and an overall/cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 to be considered for admission. Admission is competitive and will be based primarily on the GPA in the prerequisite courses and secondarily on the overall GPA and the number of prerequisites completed.
Additional current NIU student applications may be considered based on space availability for fall and spring semesters.
Transfer Students
Applicants with fewer than 24 post-secondary semester hours completed by the application deadline will be considered as freshmen (see previous section). Transfer and re-entering applicants to the university with 24 or more post-secondary semester hours, who are not registered nurses, will be considered transfer applicants. Transfer applicants are reviewed as a separate applicant pool.
By the January 15 application deadline, transfer applicants must have submitted all application materials to NIU. Transfer applicants must have all current transcripts at NIU. Priority will be given to students who have completed the following prerequisite courses by the January 15 deadline: BIOS 103 and BIOS 105, BIOS 357, CHEM 110 and CHEM 111 or CHEM 210 and CHEM 212, ENG 203 and STAT 100. All prerequisites must be completed in order to start the program. Admission is competitive and will be based primarily on the GPA in the prerequisite courses and secondarily on the overall GPA and the number of prerequisites completed. Student must have pre-requisite GPA and an overall/cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. Additional transfer applications may be considered based on space availability for fall and spring semesters.
Prerequisite courses used in evaluating applicants
*BIOS 103, General Biology (3) and *BIOS 105, General Biology Laboratory (1)
OR BIOS 208, Fundamentals of Cellular Biology (3) and BIOS 210, Fundamentals of Cellular Biology Laboratory (1)
BIOS 213, Introduction to Bacteriology (3), OR BIOS 313, Microbiology (4)
BIOS 357, Human Anatomy and Physiology (5)
*CHEM 110, Chemistry (3), and CHEM 111, Chemistry Laboratory (1),
OR *CHEM 210, General Chemistry I (3), and *CHEM 212, General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
*ENGL 203 - Rhetoric and Composition II, Research Writing in the Domains (3), OR *ENGL 204 - Rhetoric and Composition, Accelerated Researched Writing in the Domains (3)
*HDFS 280, Human Development, the Family, and Society (3), OR *PSYC 225, Lifespan Development: Childhood through Adulthood (3)
*NUTR 201, Human Nutrition (3)
*PSYC 102, Introduction to Psychology (3)
*STAT 100, Basic Statistics (3), OR STAT 200, Elementary Statistics (4)
The following prerequisite courses must be completed within seven years of admission to the nursing program: BIOS 213 or BIOS 313; and BIOS 357.
Transfer Students from Other Nursing Programs
A student transferring from another nursing program to NIU’s baccalaureate nursing program is required to request an official transcript from the program as well as a letter of reference and a statement from the head of the nursing program stating that the student is in good standing within the nursing program. The student must also request a letter of reference from a faculty member teaching in the student’s most recently completed semester. An admissions decision will be based on review of these documents. These materials are to be mailed directly to the nursing program from the originating institution.
Registered Nurses
R.N. students will be considered for admission as soon as the NIU application process is complete.
Admission requirements are
admission to NIU as a regular degree-seeking student;
an active and unencumbered registered nurse license; evidence of meeting one of the following, within the past five years: employment as a registered nurse, graduation from an approved associate degree nursing program, completion of an approved refresher course; consent of the program;
GPA from a college or university consistent with the standards required by the NIU nursing program.
Students in the RN-B.S. option may not take NURS 463 until fully admitted to the nursing program. Applicants new to the university should submit an application through the Office of Admissions and continuing NIU students should submit an application to the nursing program.
Visual Communication Area of Study
(School of Art and Design)
Admission to the Visual Communication program is limited. The total number of students accepted will be determined by available resources on a year by year basis. Successful candidates must meet the following conditions: i) be admitted to the university, ii) have a minimum overall GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale for all courses including transfer courses, iii) interview with the Visual Communication faculty selection committee, iv) submit a portfolio of work that meets the admission criteria for the program. The interview and portfolio will be used to determine which students are admitted. Visual Communication applicants should check the School of Art and Design website or contact the School of Art and Design Main Office, Art Building 216 for detailed information.
Limited Retention Requirements
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To assure students’ continuing competence, some majors, emphases, and areas of study have limited retention policies, and students who want to continue their enrollment in them must fulfill certain criteria. These include, but are not limited to, maintaining a designated cumulative and/or major GPA, earning a certain grade in certain courses, successful performance on a standardized performance measure, a portfolio review of a student’s past performance, and successful completion of clinical requirements. Students interested in these majors, emphases, or areas of study and those already admitted to them should consult department and college program requirements listed in the individual college and department sections of this catalog. Students are also strongly encouraged to consult with an advisor to assure they continue to qualify for retention in their chosen major, emphasis, or area of study. See individual colleges and departments for specific requirements.
*Available for general education credit.
1Students who have fulfilled the general education mathematics requirement and who have passed either a trigonometry or calculus course at a college other than NIU will not be required to take MATH 155 or MATH 229.
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