An overview of the Graduate School s online application process. The Online Application process On the Graduate School website, applicants are presented information regarding the application process, as well as information about differences between Degree Seeking and Student-at-Large (SAL) status. http://www.grad.niu.edu/grad/apply/index.shtml Information for degree seeking applicants is available at: http://www.grad.niu.edu/grad/apply/degree_seeking.shtml Information for SAL applicants is available at: http://www.grad.niu.edu/grad/apply/atlarge.shtml Tech Terms commonly used: NAP Northern Application Process The name entails the actual grad and undergrad online applications, the process that charges the student credit card, the system that loads applications into MYNIU and Onbase NAP Order ID The unique number assigned to every application. This helps track the initial application process. Onbase The document imaging system (paperless) being implemented across campus. Onbase THICK client software used to access Onbase that must be installed on a user s machine Onbase THIN client Accessing Onbase via a web browser (Both versions of Onbase require specific settings that must be applied by your systems administrator.) Empl ID The unique numbered identification assigned to every individual in the system. This replaces using Social Security numbers to track applicants, students and staff in campus information systems. MYNIU The web based portal for applicants and students to manage their applications, documents, class work, schedule of courses, account holds, etc. Web link is http://myniu.niu.edu/ If you find any information in this document to be in error, please contact Eric Biletzky, 753-3439, or via Groupwise
Section 1 Biographical It is important to understand that the application is dynamic. For example, the Permanent Home Address fields begins with the identification of one s country of residence. Depending on the choice of country, the application changes to include the required street address / city / province etc fields, specific to the selected country. There are also fail-safe s throughout the application to prevent incomplete information from being submitted. An example can be found in the email field. Not only must the applicant reporting an email address enter it twice to prevent a typo; the applicant is also forced to enter the emails in email@email.com format.
This section of the bio/demo section is being highlighted because applicants have reported problems recording their place of birth. Because of the dynamic nature of the application, it seems to work better in some browsers than others. In general, Internet Explorer (IE) and Mozilla Firefox seem to work without problem; Google Chrome users and a few MAC users report problems with the section, however. For those individuals, when they select a country other than US in this section, the State field is supposed to disappear. Some report that it does not, but that the field has no values in it. ITS continues to research the problem, and hopefully it will be resolved soon. In the meantime, we caution applicants not to use Chrome; problems with MAC users have been so intermittent that we do not make a recommendation to them.
Section 2 Citizenship and Illinois Residency Image1 The Citizenship Section is the most dynamic portion of the application. In it, the applicant answers a series of yes/no questions, and one response determines the current content they see. Below are several screen shots that attempt to capture different paths an application may take based on reported answers. Image 1 (above) allows for US Citizens to simply enter their social security number and move on to the Residency questions.
Section 3 Previous School Enrollment Section 3 allows applicants to report the names of institutions they have attended and degrees that they have or will earn. The college selection screen is a pop-up window, and the information used to maintain the massive listing of colleges is pulled directly from PeopleSoft. Unfortunately, only domestic colleges are searchable. Applicants who attended non-us institutions must enter their information manually by clicking the school not found button.
Once a college is selected, the applicant can report any degrees earned or earning from the institution. Applicants are required to enter at least one degree to continue on to the next section. The student is asked to enter another school, displaying what has already been entered.
Section 4 Select Enrollment Type Either selection will move the applicant to the next section, Enrollment Information
Section 5 Enrollment Information Note: If the applicant selected SAL in the previous section, they will see one additional question on this screen, Do you intend to pursue a Graduate Degree in the near future? If an applicant answers yes to any of Certification/Endorsement questions, they will be presented a dropdown with current selections available. The exact values in these dropdowns are listed at the end of this document.
At this point, an applicant who has selected SAL will now proceed to the final Confirmation Page, Degree-Seeking applicants are presented with a major selection, which includes all current majors available. A list of those majors appears at the end of this document. Note: Some majors are pre-programmed to display additional text to the applicant. These messages may be customized for any particular major.
Section 6 References If an applicant enters the email address of a reference, the reference will automatically be sent an email with a link to the online letter of recommendation. Though currently referees may only upload a saved document, a new system tentatively scheduled for deployment on April 1 will allow for the referee to complete a template form and require the inclusion of typed comments. The latter requirement allows a referee to drop a previously prepared letter or to compose on screen. If no email is entered the applicant must ensure that referees submit letters via postal mail. Note: Once an application is submitted, the system will NOT allow for further references to be added and emailed automatically, the emails only generate from new applications submitted.
Section 7 Professional Certification / Employment History All fields on these pages are optional to the applicant.
Section 8 Payment Information Most applicants will be paying via Credit Card. All credit card submissions are processed through the third party vendor Cybersource and are administered by Treasury Operations at NIU. NIU employees, excluding Graduate Assistants, are allowed to waive the fee. Others who are able to obtain a waiver fee may enter it on this page.
Section 9 Final Confirmation / Digital Signature / Submission The following images are a view of the applicant confirmation screen.
Once the applicant reviews their information, they must check the two boxes at the bottom, and by typing in their name and submitting, they are creating a digital signature.
Post submission Once submitted, the applicant will receive one of the following messages: SAL applicants: The Graduate School has received your Student-at-Large application. You will receive an automated email within 2 business days explaining how you can track the progress of your application via the MYNIU system. Once you submit proof that you hold a bachelor s or higher degree, you will be allowed to register when SAL registration for your admission term is open. Preferred proof of a bachelor s or higher degree is an official copy of a degree transcript. However, for admission to the Graduate School as an SAL a copy of a degree transcript, diploma, or teaching license will suffice. Those items can be mailed or faxed to the Graduate School. Thank you for your interest in graduate study at Northern Illinois University. Degree seeking applicants: Thank you for applying to the Graduate School at Northern Illinois University (NIU.) Your application is currently being processed. You will receive an automated email within 2 business days explaining how you can track the progress of your application via the MYNIU system and upload any needed documents. PLEASE NOTE: There is a chance this email will be caught by your personal junk mail or spam mail filters, please watch for any email coming from niu.edu For a list of the supporting documents required for admission, please visit our website www.grad.niu.edu. Your Goal Statement can be uploaded electronically via the MYNIU system, once you have successfully logged in you will find this link under your personal to-do list. All other supporting documents should be sent to the following address: The Graduate school Northern Illinois University DeKalb, IL 60115-2864 USA. Official test scores must be sent directly from ETS. The code for NIU is 1559. Inquiries regarding your application status can be sent to the following email addresses: US citizens or permanent residents: gradsch@niu.edu International applicants: internationalgrads@niu.edu (Please include your complete name, exactly as you listed it on your application.)
Current drop-down values updated 03/10/2010 Teacher Endorsement School Library Information Specialist (Type 10) School Library Tech Specialist (Type 10) Chief School Business (Type 75) General Administrative (Type 75) School Guidance Counselor (Type 73) School Library Media Specialist (Type 10) School Psychologist School Reading Specialist Speech/Language Impaired Superintendent Teacher Certifications K-12 certification: Blind & Partially Seeing K-12 certification: Deaf & Hard of Hearing K-12 certification: Learning Behavior Specialist I Foreign Language: French Foreign Language: German Foreign Language: Spanish General Science Health Education History Initial teacher certification: Early Childhood (K-Grade 3) Initial teacher certification: Elementary (K-Grade 9) K-12 certification: Art Education K-12 certification: Music Education K-12 certification: Physical Education K-12 certification: Special Education Mathematics Physical Education Physical Science Physics Secondary Certification (6-12): Biology Secondary Certification (6-12): Chemistry Secondary Certification (6-12): English Secondary Certification (6-12): Family & Consumer Sciences Social Sciences
Certificates of Graduate Study Women's Studies Nursing Education Director of Special Education Adapted Physical Education Advanced Quantitative Methodology in Education Advanced Teaching Practices Applied Mechanics Applied Statistics Assistive Technology Specialist Behavior Specialist Bioinformatics Career Development Children's and Young Adult Literature/Media Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing Curriculum Adaptations Specialist Design of Thermal Systems Digital Image Processing Digital Signal Processing Digital Systems Earth Science Education Eating Disorders and Obesity Elementary Mathematics Teaching English Education Environmental Education Family Nurse Practitioner Foreign Language Instructional Technology Foundations of Education Geographic Information Analysis German Language, Literature, and Culture Gerontology Health Education Higher Education Homeland Security Industrial Control Industrial Project Management Industrial Workplace Design Systems Integrated Manufacturing Systems Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Management Information Systems Multiple Disabilities Specialist Museum Studies Problem-Based Learning in Educational Psychology
Public Health Public Management Quality Control of Manufacturing Processes Semiconductor Devices Semiconductor Fabrication Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture Strategic Industrial Management Teaching English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education Technical Writing Technology of Quality Traffic Safety Education Vibration and Control System Design VLSI Design Majors Accountancy (MAS) Taxation (MST) Business Administration (MBA) (Executive) Business Administration (MBA) (Professional) Business Administration (MBA) (Evening) Management and Information Systems (MS) Adult and Higher Education (EdD) Special Education - Blind Rehabilitation (MSEd) Counseling (EdD) Counseling (MSEd) Curriculum and Instruction (MSEd) Curriculum and Instruction - Art Education (EdD) Curriculum and Instruction - Curriculum Leadership (EdD) Literacy Education (EdD) Curriculum and Instruction - Secondary Education (EdD) Early Childhood Education (MSEd) Foundations of Education (MSEd) Educational Administration (EdD) Educational Administration (EdS) Educational Administration (MSEd) Educational Psychology (EdD) Educational Psychology (MSEd) Educational Research and Evaluation (MS) Elementary Education (MSEd) Physical Education - Exercise Physiology - Fitness Leadership (MSEd) Instructional Technology (EdD)
Instructional Technology (MSEd) Kinesiology and Physical Education (MSEd) Special Education - Learning Behavior Specialist (MSEd) Literacy Education (MSEd) Pedagogy - Curriculum Development in Physical Education (MSEd) Physical Education (MSEd) School Business Management (MSEd) Curriculum and Instruction - Science, Social Studies, and Environmental Education (EdD) Special Education - Orientation and Mobility (MSEd) Special Education - Advanced Special Education Practices (MSEd) Special Education - Early Childhood Special Education (MSEd) Special Education - Visual Impairments (MSEd) Sport Management (MS) Electrical Engineering (MS) Engineering - Engineering Education (MST) Industrial Management (MS) Industrial and Systems Engineering (MS) Mechanical Engineering (MS) Audiology (AUD) Communicative Disorders - Rehabilitation Counseling (MA) Communicative Disorders - Speech-Language Pathology (MA) Applied Family and Child Studies (MS) Marriage and Family Therapy (MS) Apparel Studies (MS) Family and Consumer Sciences Education (MS) Health Education, 6-12 & Middle School - Initial Certification (MAT) Health Education, 6-12 & Middle School (MST) Public Health - Health Promotion (MPH) Public Health - Health Services Management (MPH) Nursing - Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist (MS) Nursing - Adult Nurse Practitioner (MS) Nursing - Nursing Education (MS) Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (MS) Nutrition and Dietetics (MS) Anthropology (MA) Biological Sciences - Human Anatomical Sciences (MS) Biological Sciences - Bioinformatics (MS) Biological Sciences (MS) Biological Sciences (Ph.D.) Biological Sciences - Biology Teaching (MS) Chemistry (MS) Chemistry - Nanoscience (Ph.D) Chemistry (Ph.D.) Communication Studies (MA)
Computer Science (MS) Economics (MA) Economics (Ph.D.) English (MA) English (Ph.D) Foreign Languages - French (MA) Geography (MS) Geology (MS) Geology (Ph.D) History (MA) History (Ph.D) Mathematics - Applied Mathematics (MS) Mathematics - Computational Mathematics (MS) Mathematics - Middle School Mathematics Ed (MST) Mathematics - Mathematics Education (MS) Mathematical Science (Ph.D) Applied Probability and Statistics (MS) Mathematics - Pure Mathematics (MS) Physics - Nanoscience (Ph.D) Philosophy (MA) Physics - Applied Physics (MS) Physics - Basic Physics (MS) Physics (Ph.D) Physics - Physics Teaching (MS) Political Science (MA) Political Science (Ph.D.) Political Science - Public Administration - Comparative and Developmental Administration (MPA) Political Science - Public Administration - Fiscal Administration (MPA) Political Science - Public Administration - Human Services Administration (MPA) Political Science - Public Administration - Public Management and Leadership (MPA) Political Science - Public Administration - Urban Management (MPA) Psychology - Clinical (MA) Psychology - Cognitive (MA) Psychology - Developmental (MA) Psychology - School (MA) Psychology - Social/Industrial-Organizational (MA) Psychology - Neuroscience & Behavior (MA) Psychology - Clinical (Ph.D.) Psychology - Cognitive (Ph.D.) Psychology - Developmental (Ph.D.) Psychology - School (Ph.D.) Psychology - Social/Industrial-Organizational (Ph.D.) Psychology - Neuroscience & Behavior (Ph.D.)
Sociology - Criminology (MA) Sociology (MA) Foreign Languages - Spanish (MA) Art - Art Education (MS) Art - Art History (MA) Art (MFA) Art - Art Education (Ph.D.) Theatre Arts - Design and Technology (MFA) Music Education (MM) Music - Individualized Specialization (MM) Music Performance (MM) Music - Performers Certificate (PC) Art - Studio Art (MA) Theatre Arts - Acting (MFA) Theatre Arts - Directing (MFA) Adult and Higher Education (MSEd) Adapted Physical Education (MSEd) Geography (Ph.D.) Physical Therapy (DPT) Business Administration (MBA) (Fast-Trak)