Northern Illinois University

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Tours

  1. Specialized Tours

    • Graduate School Tour

      Take a tour to learn about our six colleges with graduate programs.

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      1. The Graduate School

        Welcome to Williston Hall, home of the Graduate School at Northern Illinois University! NIU offers more than 80 graduate degree programs and 50 specializations. In addition to master's and doctoral degrees, we offer graduate certificates in over 65 courses of study.

        Our graduate students find jobs quickly after graduation. You'll benefit from:

        • In-person and online workshops offered by the Office of Graduate Career and Professional Development.
        • Specialized courses focused on building networking and job search skills (UNIV 601 and 602).
        • Access to real-time labor market analytics to enable you to develop the most in-demand skills, thanks to our collaboration with Burning Glass Technologies.

        Learn more about our graduate programs in six colleges:

      2. College of Health and Human Sciences

        The graduate programs at the College of Health and Human Sciences prepare tomorrow's health care professionals. Our graduate programs include audiology, interdisciplinary health professions, marriage and family counseling, nursing, nutrition and dietetics, speech-language pathology, and physical therapy.

        As a graduate student, you can gain practical experience at our three health care clinics, which provide important services to the community.

      3. College of Visual and Performing Arts

        The College of Visual and Performing Arts consists of three schools: the School of Art and Design, the School of Music and the School of Theatre and Dance. You'll receive an immersive conservatory-style arts experience, including more than 300 concerts, productions and exhibitions each year, while benefitting from the resources of a major university.

        The comprehensive graduate program in the School of Art and Design leads to advanced study in fine arts, design and media, art and design education, and art history. Our graduate program in printmaking ranks in the top 20 in the nation.

        The School of Music offers the Master of Music with specializations in performance, music education and individualized study. You can also perfect your performance skills with our Performer's Certificate.

        The School of Theatre and Dance offers a Master of Fine Arts with specializations in acting and design and technology. You'll share core courses with fellow MFA students and participate in a production each semester.  

      4. College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

        If you're familiar with the engineering field, you know that it's always changing. A graduate program can help you stay ahead of the curve. The College of Engineering and Engineering Technology offers doctoral and master's degrees, as well as graduate certificates.

        You'll benefit from the resources of our state-of-the-art Engineering Building as you solve complicated engineering problems, develop new systems and use modern techniques to design new components. We'll provide you with personal attention and academic support, including mentoring, tutoring and job placement services.

        At NIU, you won't just get a degree, you'll learn to be a functional engineer who can make the world a better place.

      5. College of Business/Master’s of Business Administration

        At the College of Business in beautiful Barsema Hall, we focus on relationship building, business ethics, and the blending on hands-on experiences with classroom learning. We offer graduate programs in accountancy, finance, marketing, operations management and information systems, and business administration (MBA).

        Our AACSB-accredited MBA program has received strong national rankings from U.S. News & World Report and CEO magazine. With our flexible formats, you can attend class in the Chicago Loop, Naperville, Hoffman Estates or DeKalb – or get your MBA 100% online.

        As an MBA student, you'll benefit from:

        • Nationally recognized faculty
        • Flexible scheduling
        • Team-building experiences
        • Strong global networks and international experiences
        • Real-world applications
        • Friendly and reliable staff

      6. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

        The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has 31 graduate programs in nine buildings, including Zulauf Hall. With 19 departments spanning the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, we're the largest of NIU's graduate colleges. As one of our students, you'll have access to advanced research materials and laboratories, and learn from faculty who are experts in their fields. 

        We're at the heart of NIU's research activities, accounting for 51% (approximately $18 million) of NIU's fiscal year 2019 external funding. Our humanities units are leaders in scholarship with a solid publishing tradition. Several of our programs and departments have achieved significant recognition:

        • Our Master of Public Administration program's elite rankings include fourth in the nation in the field of local government management (U.S. News & World Report).
        • The Department of Philosophy has one of the top five master's degree programs in the country (American Philosophical Association).
        • A top destination for particle physics research, we're involved in cutting-edge projects at Fermilab, Argonne, Oak Ridge and CERN.
        • We’re a global leader in polar research.

      7. College of Education

        For nearly 125 years, the College of Education has been preparing leaders in our communities. We shape students into teachers, counselors, principals, superintendents, instructional technology specialists, educational researchers, higher education administrators, sport organization managers, fitness professionals and athletic trainers.

        With 22 graduate degrees, we're ready to take your career in these areas to the next level. We offer online, face-to-face and hybrid programs to meet the needs of working professionals. If you already have an advanced degree, we can help you build on that foundation and hone your skills with a certification, endorsement or credential.

        Our extensive history is complemented by our reputation for excellence. In 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked our online graduate programs No. 26 in the nation, marking our eighth year in a row in the top 10%.