2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog

Effective Fall 2015

Notices

Through the university governance and administrative processes, after publication of this catalog changes may occur in the academic calendar, admission and graduation requirements, academic programs, course offerings, regulations, staff, and tuition and fee charges. Such changes take precedence over catalog statements. While reasonable effort will be made to publicize such changes, a student is encouraged to seek current information from appropriate offices, because responsibility for complying with all applicable requirements ultimately rests with the student.

Although the university attempts to accommodate the course requests of students, course offerings may be limited by financial, space, and staffing considerations or may otherwise be unavailable. Nothing in this catalog may be construed to promise or guarantee registration in any course or course of study (whether required or elective) nor may anything be construed to promise or guarantee the completion of an academic program within a specified length of time.

Other statements of a legal nature are printed in the “Legal Notices” section of this catalog. Academic policies and programs described in this catalog are in effect as of the beginning of the fall semester unless an exception is indicated.

Student Responsibility

It is the responsibility of students to know and observe all regulations and procedures relating to the program they are pursuing. In no case will a regulation be waived or an exception granted because students plead ignorance of, or contend that they were not informed of, the regulations or procedures. Questions on regulations, and their interpretation should be addressed to the advising office of the college in which the student’s major department is located. For students with no college affiliation, questions on regulations and their interpretations should be addressed to the Academic Advising Center.

Students are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment with an academic adviser at least once each semester, preferably before registering for succeeding semester course work.

University Academic Publications

The Undergraduate Catalog contains information on admission policies and procedures, graduation requirements, academic regulations, expenses, housing, financial aid, and other student services, as well as detailed descriptions of academic majors, minors, and course offerings. Copies are available to current and prospective students from the university’s bookstore. The catalog is online at catalog.niu.edu.

The Graduate Catalog contains detailed statements of Graduate School policies and procedures, curricula, and expenses, and lists the graduate course offerings of the various departments. Copies are available from the Graduate School office. It is online at catalog.niu.edu.

The College of Law Bulletin provides information regarding application procedures, academic requirements, course offerings, and tuition and fees. Copies may be obtained from the College of Law. It is online at law.niu.edu.

Undergraduate Information

General Information: 815-753-1000

World Wide Web site: www.niu.edu

The World Wide Web site provides access to the sites of NIU academic colleges, departments/schools, and many of the university’s offices, as well as an online version of this catalog. The online catalog can be found at http://catalog.niu.edu. Beginning with the 2006-07 academic year, the online catalog is the definitive version of program descriptions and of academic policies and procedures.

Below is information regarding NIU offices that prospective students might want to contact. E-mail addresses for other NIU offices are available through the NIU World Wide Web site.

Office of Admissions
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2857
815-753-0446
800-892-3050 (toll-free for Illinois callers only)
E-mail: admissions@niu.edu

Educational Services and Programs
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2854
815-753-0201
800-892-3050 (toll-free for Illinois callers only)

Office of Registration and Records
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2871
815-753-0681
E-mail: regrec@niu.edu

Student Financial Aid Office
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2872
815-753-1395
800-892-3050 (toll-free for Illinois callers only)
E-mail: finaid@niu.edu

Housing and Dining
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2877
815-753-1525
E-mail: housingdining@niu.edu

Disability Resource Center
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2879
815-753-1303
E-mail: drc@niu.edu

Health Services
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2879
815-753-1311
E-mail: healthservices@niu.edu

University Honors Program
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2854
815-753-0694
E-mail: honors@niu.edu