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Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.
Undergraduate programs at NIU are organized under the Colleges of Business, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts, and Office of the Provost. Each of these six colleges coordinates programs for a group of departments of related disciplines and offers specialized academic services for students majoring in one of its departments. Almost every department has one or more major programs; many majors include specific emphases.
The Baccalaureate Experience
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Northern Illinois University is a large, complex institution with a mission that includes a strong commitment to undergraduate education. Central to this commitment is the establishment of an intellectual environment that encourages the formation of the essential habits of the educated person; these are curiosity, rigorous observation, tolerant understanding, and informed judgment. The diverse academic programs in each of the distinctive colleges are unified by common expectations for the achievement of the baccalaureate degree.
The NIU baccalaureate degree experience enables graduates to think critically, create, and communicate by participating in an engaged learning environment to prepare for success in a diverse, global society. This learning environment emphasizes the importance of context. Graduates will be prepared to understand the impact of history on modern society, the relationship between our society and others around the globe, and the unity and diversity of the American experience. Students will be exposed to a broad range of experiences and knowledge through the study of natural science, social science, the humanities, and the arts. Students will develop their knowledge, capacities, and abilities through an intentionally developed curriculum that integrates general education, the students’ majors, and opportunities outside the classroom. NIU graduates will become life-long learners who are empowered, informed, and responsible citizens.
Goal definitions-The “Three Cs”
Critical thinking-involves literacy, reflectivity, and understanding how to gather and make sense of various forms of information before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.
Creativity-uses a combination of imagination, intellect, insight, and emotion to solve problems and transform existing ideas, images, or techniques in innovative and original ways.
Communication-includes the mastery of basic skills, such as language, technology, and collaboration.
Baccalaureate learning outcomes
The baccalaureate learning outcomes include:
- Integrate knowledge of global interconnections and interdependencies
- Exhibit intercultural competencies with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
- Analyze issues that interconnect human life and the natural world
- Demonstrate critical, creative, and independent thought
- Communicate clearly and effectively
- Collaborate with others to achieve specific goals
- Use and combine appropriate quantitative and qualitative reasoning skills to address questions and solve problems
- Synthesize knowledge and skills relevant to one’s major or particular fields of study and apply them creatively to develop innovative outcomes.
Baccalaureate Degree Programs
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Individual departments should be consulted in the catalog for major requirements and to determine emphases and areas of study which may be pursued within a major.
Baccalaureate Degrees Offered
Northern Illinois University offers the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.), Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), and Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) degrees in six colleges. The following lists these degrees and indicates the colleges and departments/schools offering them.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
College of Business
Accountancy (B.S.)
Business Administration (B.S.)
Finance (B.S.)
Management (B.S.)
Marketing (B.S.)
Operations and Information Management (B.S.)
Applied Management (B.S.)
Early Childhood Education (B.S.)
Kinesiology (B.S)
Sport Management (B.S.)
Biomedical Engineering (B.S.)
Electrical Engineering (B.S.)
Industrial and Systems Engineering (B.S.)
Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Mechatronics Engineering (B.S.)
Engineering Technology (B.S.)
Communicative Disorders (B.S.)
Fashion Merchandising (B.S.)
Health Sciences (B.S.)
Human Development and Family Sciences, Comprehensive Major (B.S.)
Interdisciplinary Health Professions (B.S.)
Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.)
Nursing (B.S.)
Nutrition, Dietetics, and Wellness (B.S.)
Public Health (B.S.)
Rehabilitation and Disability Services (B.S.)
School of Public and Global Affairs
Nonprofit and NGO Studies (B.A./B.S.)
Political Science (B.A./B.S.)
Public Service Leadership (B.S.)
Actuarial Science (B.S.)
Anthropology (B.A./B.S.)
Biological Sciences (B.S.)
Chemistry (B.S.)
Communication Studies (B.A./B.S.)
Computer Science (B.S.)
Contract Major (B.A./B.S.)
Economics (B.A./B.S.)
Earth, Atmosphere and Environment (B.S.)
Economics (B.A./B.S.)
English (B.A./B.S.)
Environmental Studies (B.A./B.S.)
History (B.A./B.S.)
Journalism (B.A./B.S.)
Mathematical Sciences (B.S.)
Meteorology (B.S.) (See Earth, Atmosphere and Environment)
Nonprofit and NGO Studies (B.A./B.S.) (See School of Public and Global Affairs)
Philosophy (B.A./B.S.)
Physics (B.S.)
Political Science (B.A./B.S.) (See School of Public and Global Affairs)
Psychology (B.A./B.S.)
Public Service Leadership (B.S.) (See School of Public and Global Affairs)
Sociology (B.A./B.S.)
Statistics (B.S.)
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (B.A./B.S.)
World Languages and Cultures (B.A.)
Art (B.A./B.S.)
Art History and Visual Studies (B.A.)
Music (B.A.)
Theatre Studies (B.A.)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Art Studio and Design (B.F.A.)
Dance Performance (B.F.A.)
Theatre Arts (B.F.A.)
Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Bachelor of Music (B.M.)
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Music (B.M) Emphasis Music Education
Music (B.M.) Emphasis Performance
Music (B.M.) Emphasis Composition
Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.)
College of Education
Elementary Education (B.S.Ed.)
Middle Level Teaching and Learning (B.S.Ed.)
Physical Education (B.S.Ed.)
Special Education (B.S.Ed.)
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Art and Design Education (B.S.Ed.)
Baccalaureate Degree Majors
The following list of undergraduate majors shows the degree(s) available. In addition, contract majors are offered by the Colleges of Education (B.S.), Engineering and Engineering Technology (B.S.), Health and Human Sciences (B.S.), Liberal Arts and Sciences (B.A. and B.S.), and Visual and Performing Arts (B.A.)
Accountancy-B.S.
Actuarial Science-B.S.
Anthropology-B.A. and B.S.
Applied Management-B.S.
Art-B.A. and B.S.
Art and Design Education-B.S.Ed.
Art History and Visual Studies-B.A.
Art Studio and Design-B.F.A.
Biological Sciences-B.S.
Biomedical Engineering-B.S.
Business Administration-B.S.
Chemistry-B.S.
Communication Studies-B.A. and B.S.
Communicative Disorders-B.S.
Computer Science-B.S.
Dance Performance-B.F.A.
Early Childhood Education-B.S.
Earth, Atmosphere and Environment-B.S.
Economics-B.A. and B.S.
Electrical Engineering-B.S.
Elementary Education-B.S.Ed.
Engineering Technology-B.S.
English-B.A. and B.S.
Environmental Studies–B.A. and B.S.
Fashion Merchandising–B.S.
Finance-B.S.
General Studies-B.G.S.
Health Sciences-B.S.
History-B.A. and B.S.
Hospitality and Tourism Management-B.S.
Human Development and Family Sciences, Comprehensive Major-B.S.
Industrial and Systems Engineering-B.S.
Journalism-B.A. and B.S.
Kinesiology-B.S.
Management-B.S.
Marketing-B.S.
Mathematical Sciences-B.S.
Mechanical Engineering-B.S.
Mechatronics Engineering-B.S.
Medical Laboratory Sciences-B.S.
Meteorology-B.S.
Middle Level Teaching and Learning-B.S.Ed.
Music-B.A. and B.M.
Nonprofit and NGO Studies-B.A. and B.S.
Nursing-B.S.
Nutrition, Dietetics, and Wellness-B.S.
Operations and Information Management-B.S.
Philosophy-B.A. and B.S.
Physical education-B.S.Ed.
Physics-B.S.
Political Science-B.A. and B.S.
Psychology-B.A. and B.S.
Public Health-B.S.
Rehabilitation and Disability Services-B.S.
Sociology-B.A. and B.S.
Special Education-B.S.Ed.
Sport Management-B.S.
Statistics-B.S.
Theatre Arts-B.F.A.
Theatre Studies-B.A.
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies-B.A. and B.S.
World Languages and Cultures–B.A.
The University Honors Program (UHP) provides an enriched educational experience for students of high academic promise and achievement who have a commitment to excellence. The UHP program is open to students in all undergraduate colleges and provides its students with uniquely designed and specially taught courses; access to award-winning professors; a low student-to-faculty ratio; a blend of co-curricular programming; Honors only research programs; specialized advising; a living-learning community; specialized internships; and Honors-only scholarships, tuition waivers, and awards.
University Honors Program courses differ from other courses in that they encourage more open exchange between students and professors, are designed to engage students in practical and enhanced learning opportunities, and provide direct access to the best faculty both inside and outside the classroom. Honors students culminate their experience with an in-depth Capstone Project, where students are encouraged to pursue a subject of their choosing and develop their interests through independent, yet guided, research, study, or artistry.
Graduation with UHP recognition frequently gives students a distinct advantage in applying for professional or graduate school and for employment as they can articulate both their curricular and co-curricular accomplishments. In particular, the UHP has preferred admission agreements with several NIU graduate programs and the College of Law. The following is a current list of partners:
- Accelerated B.A. or B.S./J.D. Undergraduate Program and the College of Law*
- Accelerated B.S. or B.A./M.A. Program in Political Science
- Accelerated B.S./M.S. in Electrical Engineering
- Accelerated B.S./M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Accelerated B.S./M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
- Global MBA
- M.A. Communicative Disorders Specialization in Speech-Language Pathology
- M.A. in Sociology
- Master of Accountancy (MAC)
- M.P.A. in Public Administration
- M.S.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education
- M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education
- M.S.Ed. in Educational Research and Evaluation
- M.S.Ed. in Kinesiology
- M.S.Ed. in Special Education
- M.S.Ed. in Sport Management
- M.S. in Computer Science
- M.S. in Data Analytics
- M.S. in Industrial Management
- M.S. in Management Information Systems
- M.S. in Nursing Education; D.N.P./Doctor of Nursing Practice
- M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S. in Statistics
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemistry
Please consult the specific catalog section of each program for additional details
*Consistent with the American Bar Association requirements, for students to take advantage of this opportunity they must submit an application for review, successfully complete a minimum of ¾ of their undergraduate course work, and earn a score on the LSAT at or above the 50th percentile of the previous year’s matriculating law class. UHP students in good standing in the program who are not pursuing a major with an existing accelerated program agreement with the NIU College of Law are eligible for this accelerated program.
All curricular UHP credit can apply toward graduation requirements, which allow students to complete the UHP program with minimum burden. Students may also withdraw from the UHP program at any time without loss of credit.
Program of Study
The program is divided into two distinct options for students to complete - each with its own separate requirements. The Associate University Honors option requires a combination of six (6) curricular and co-curricular activities. Specifically, students who elect to pursue this distinction are required to complete a minimum of three (3) honors designated courses. Each honors course must be greater than or equal to three-credits to count towards Associate University Honors requirements. Among the three honors designated courses, students are required to have one (1) outside the major, and one University Honors Seminar. In addition, students must complete a minimum of two (2) Honors Engaged approved co-curricular activities. As well as a minimum of three (3) honors designated courses and a minimum of two (2) Honors Engaged approved co-curricular activities, students must complete one elective, which is satisfied either through an additional honors designated course or an additional co-curricular experience that is approved through Honors Engaged.
The second option is Full University Honors and requires students to complete a combination of six (6) honors designated courses, four (4) Honors Engaged approved co-curricular activities, and two (2) electives, satisfied either through additional honors designated course work or Honors Engaged approved experience(s) or a combination of the two options. Each course must be greater than or equal to three-credits count towards Full University Honors requirements. Students must complete three (3) of the honors designated courses outside their major, and honors coursework must also include one (1) University Honors Seminar, and one (1) Honors Capstone independent study project usually completed during the senior year. (Students may elect to begin the Associate University Honors option, successfully fulfill the requirements, and then continue in pursuit of Full University Honors - with all previous credit accrued counting towards the requirements of the latter.)
Within either option, students may earn honors course credit in general education, elective, and major courses with a grade of B- or higher. To remain in good standing in the program and eligible for graduation with honors distinction, students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.3.
Course List
Honors curricular credit is earned when a course is honors designated through an “H” after the course designator and number or when the course designator is HON. University Honors Seminars may be courses from particular colleges and departments, or, in some cases, are from the Honors course list provided here. Seminars labeled HON 300 Topics A-C earn general education credit in the knowledge domain listed in the course description; seminars labeled HON 400 Topics A-C identify seminars that earn both general education credit in the knowledge domain listed in the course description and writing infused credit; seminars labeled HON 400 Topic D earn writing infused credit; seminars labeled HON 410 earn human diversity credit; seminars labeled HON 410 Topics A-C identify seminars that earn both general education credit in the knowledge domain listed in the course description and human diversity credit. Seminars labeled HON 410 Topic D earn Human Diversity credit. HON 420 Topics A-C identify seminars that earn general education credit in the knowledge domain listed in the course description, writing infused credit, and human diversity credit; seminars labeled HON 420 Topic D earn writing infused and human diversity credit. All the HON designated courses satisfy the University Honors Seminar requirement.
In cases where a student wants to repeat the same Honors Seminar for the third or subsequent enrollment for grade improvement, they will require permission from UHP in addition to their major college (or Academic Advising Center for students with no college affiliation) and the department offering the course.
HON 310 Honors Seminar Credits: 3
HON 300 Topic A Honors Seminar: Creativity and Critical Analysis Credits: 3
HON 300 Topic B Honors Seminar: Nature and Technology Credits: 3
HON 300 Topic C Honors Seminar: Society and Culture Credits: 3
HON 400 Topic A Honors Seminar: Creativity and Critical Thinking & Writing Infused Credits: 3
HON 400 Topic B Honors Seminar: Nature and Technology & Writing Infused Credits: 3
HON 400 Topic C Honors Seminar: Society and Culture & Writing Infused Credits: 3
HON 400 Topic D Honors Seminar: Writing Infused Credits: 3
HON 410 Topic A Honors Seminar: Creativity and Critical Thinking & Human Diversity Credits: 3
HON 410 Topic B Honors Seminar: Nature and Technology & Human Diversity Credits: 3
HON 410 Topic C Honors Seminar: Society and Culture & Human Diversity Credits: 3
HON 410 Topic D Honors Seminar: Human Diversity Credits: 3
HON 420 Topic A Honors Seminar: Creativity and Critical Thinking, Writing Infused & Human Diversity Credits: 3
HON 420 Topic B Honors Seminar: Nature and Technology, Writing Infused & Human Diversity Credits: 3
HON 420 Topic C Honors Seminar: Society and Culture, Writing Infused & Human Diversity Credits: 3
HON 420 Topic D Honors Seminar: Writing Infused & Human Diversity Credits: 3
HON 499: Honors Capstone Project Credits: 3-6
Admission Requirements
The UHP welcomes not only freshmen but students who wish to enroll in the UHP during or after their freshman year, either from within NIU, as transfer students, or as graduates of community colleges with an associate’s degree (A.A. or A.S.) in a baccalaureate-oriented program.
Admission into the UHP is based on a holistic review of applications, including GPA, UHP admission essay, and other information provided in the application. Students whose record of achievement reflects quality work but who do not meet the criteria for admission are invited to apply for admission on provisional status.
Honors Transfer Credit
Students who have previously completed Honors course work or completed co-curricular experiences may have these counted for up to half the requirements to complete the program. Students may transfer a combination of three (3) or fewer courses and co-curricular experiences for Associate University Honors, and may transfer a combination of six (6) or fewer courses and co-curricular experiences for Full University Honors. For such credit to be applied the following conditions must be met:
The Honors course work must have been completed in an established Honors Program that is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council or Honors Council of the Illinois Region, or must be part of an Honors program vetted by the NIU UHP.
The Honors course work must be accepted by NIU toward the student’s major(s), minor(s), or general education requirements, or as electives.
A grade of B- or better must have been earned in the Honors course work offered for honors transfer credit.
Co-curricular activities must meet the standards of Honors Engaged as determined by the NIU UHP.
The Honors seminar requirement (for Associate University Honors and Full University Honors) and the capstone requirement (for Full University Honors) must be fulfilled at NIU.
It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation of Honors course work and co-curricular activities to the NIU UHP for evaluation and verification.
Degrees with Distinction
Students who complete the requirements of Associate University Honors will have this designated on the official transcript.
Students who complete the requirements of Full University Honors will have this designated on the official transcript and diploma.
Additional Program Services
The UHP provides its students with special curricular and co-curricular programming.
All first-year honors students are invited to attend a welcome program held at NIU’s Lorado Taft Field Campus where they are introduced to the program’s full complement of offerings, work with the University Honors Fellows, and learn how to be a successful member of the Honors community.
Other services include priority registration for all courses, Honors Preferred Program (which provides discounts to students at local businesses), extended borrowing privileges for all library materials, dedicated regular and special advising and help in designing an academic program, a living-learning community in Honors House located in Patterson East Residence Hall, a variety of extracurricular academic, professional development, community service, and social events.
Further information about the University Honors Program may be obtained by visiting the University Honors suite in the Peters Campus Life Building (PCLB) 110. For more information, please visit the website at www.honors.niu.edu/honors.
McKinley “Deacon” Davis CHANCE Program
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The McKinley “Deacon” Davis CHANCE Program provides academic, social, financial and organizational guidance through personalized coaching and a unique campus-wide support system to ensure long-term student success. NIU will conduct a holistic review of each student application to determine eligibility for the CHANCE program and if the student would benefit from its services. Identified students are anticipated to participate in the CHANCE program.
Educator Licensure Programs
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See “Educator Licensure Requirements .”
Assessment at Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University engages in assessment processes to answer important questions about the quality of students’ baccalaureate experiences. Assessment student learning outcomes is one of the ways the university measures the extent to which it fulfills its educational mission. Information gained from programmatic assessment processes helps the university improve courses, degree programs, and academic and student support services. Additionally, assessment activities provide information that is required at the state and national levels for certification and accreditation purposes. Most importantly, assessment processes help us gauge how well the university is meeting students’ needs.
Many assessment activities at NIU occur as a part of instruction within the degree program. Other assessment activities, including testing, surveys and projects, occur with the goal of measuring students’ knowledge and skills by evaluating performance at selected points in time. As students progress through degree programs, they will be expected to participate in assessment measures, which they should complete to the best of their abilities. Students’ performances on these measures reflect on the quality of the university and its undergraduate programs. Although summary data may be published or presented at conferences, student performance data are aggregated; no individual student information is reported.
Questions regarding assessment should be directed to Accreditation, Assessment, and Evaluation, assess@niu.edu, or visit us at go.niu.edu/assessment.
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