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What should I do if I can't start school right now? How do I register for classes? Is there any financial support for graduate education at NEIU? The Graduate Advisor/Program Coordinator University Services--You need this information to be successful
at NEIU
Staying in Graduate School—The Minimum Standards of Performance
Transferring Courses Candidacy—You can't graduate without it I don't think my course grade was fair, what can I
do? Doing a Thesis Student Conduct Can I be exempted from a course?
Applying for Graduation The Graduation Ceremony How do I prove that I finished my program? Applying for a Job—How Can NEIU help? Degree Transcripts and Diplomas Being an NEIU Alumni
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Questions and Answers
I Have Been Admitted to an NEIU Graduate Program—Now
What?
What should I do if I can’t start school right
now?
Deferred Admission
A student admitted to a program but does not wish to enroll
in the semester that admission was given, could request
to defer enrollment. Generally, students are allowed to
defer enrollment for one academic year. If the student fails
to enroll within one academic year, their files are inactivated
and the student will be required to request, in writing,
for reinstatement whenever they plan to return. If however
there has been a change in admission requirements to the
program, the student will be required to comply with the
new program requirements.
How do I register for classes? The Registration Process
Continuing and newly admitted students are eligible to register
for classes according to published deadline in the class schedule.
Registration information is mailed from the office of admissions
and records each semester.
Validation
To guarantee the registration of classes, all students must
confirm their registration with the cashier’s office
by the initial payment due date whether or not bill is received.
Failure to confirm by the due date will result in cancellation
of registration. All students must confirm their registration
with the cashier’s office including students with financial
aid, scholarships or students with a credit or zero account
balance. Refer to the schedule of classes for more information.
Enrollment Status
Students enrolled for fewer than 9 hours of graduate credits
per semester are considered part-time students. -
Students enrolled for 9 or more hours of graduate credits
are considered full-time students, except in the calculation
of tuition, for which 12 or more credit hours is considered
full-time.
-
Check the current Schedule of Classes for advance and
on-campus registration and enrollment procedures, drop/add
periods, tuition and fees, confirmation deadlines, and other
university charges and services.
Is there any financial support for graduate education
at NEIU? Graduate Merit Tuition Awards/Assistantships
The Graduate College gives a limited number of merit tuition
awards to qualified students in good academic standing upon
the recommendation of Graduate Advisor(s)/Coordinator(s)
of their program of study. Students must apply to the Graduate
College for consideration of a part-time or a full-time
award each semester. A Selective Service form must be completed
and signed by each male student accepting an award once each
calendar year.
Students interested in an appointment as a tutor or teaching/research
assistant, or other appropriate assignment should consult
with their department for eligibility and application. All
appropriate forms for processing the hiring of graduate assistants
are available in the Graduate College Office. This includes
the “Application for Educational Benefits for Graduate
Assistant” form, which must be filled out each semester
in order to receive waiver of tuition and certain fees.
Graduate Advisor/Program Coordinator Each program has a Graduate Advisor/Coordinator who serves
as an important link with the Graduate College. A Graduate
Advisor/Coordinator evaluates and processes applications for
admission to a program in the Graduate College and for graduation
from the College, advises on programs of study, informs students
of departmental regulations and procedures, monitors students’
academic progress, guides students with Graduate College policies
and procedures, and recommends students for merit tuition
awards.
An advisor also encourages students to participate in departmental
activities, to engage in and complete research projects in
a timely manner, and to participate in professional meetings
related to his/her area of study. Students are encouraged
to participate in non-classroom academic and professional
activities which enrich the graduate school experience. From
entry to graduation the Graduate Advisor/Coordinator serves
as a mentor who assists the matriculating student. Students
are urged to keep in contact with their advisors on a regular
basis.
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University Services--You need this information to
be successful at NEIU Academic Computing
Academic Computing provides service to students to support
instruction and research. Computer terminals are available
for student use in the Library (4th floor, Extension 4639),
Science Building (S-208, Extension 4641) and Classroom Building
(CLS-2109, Extension 4643).
Child Care
Northeastern’s Child Care Center is located on campus
just north of the Foster Avenue entrance and provides for
the care of children aged fifteen months through kindergarten.
It operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Half and full day sessions are available. The Center is licensed
by the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family
Services. Contact the Center at Extension 4540.
Counseling
The Counseling Office provides counseling services and counseling
related programs to any student of the university. Services
include career counseling, personal counseling, addictions
counseling, conflict resolution, and crisis and emergency
intervention during regular office hours. All services are
free of charge and confidential, as required by state law
and professional ethics. The Counseling Office is located
in D-024, Extension 4650.
Disabled Student Services
The Handicapped Educational Liaison Program (HELP) provides
various types of academic assistance based on diagnosed needs
to students with documented physical and/or learning disabilities.
Contact the HELP office in A-118 or at Extension 5497 for
information about the services provided.
Library
The resources of the Ronald Williams Library are available
to help Northeastern students cultivate their intellectual
capabilities and research skills. Special features include
numerous study areas, facilities for the disabled, private
study areas for faculty and graduate students, and a classroom
for library instruction. For a full list of library resources,
please see Appendix E.
Placement
Some students seek to complete a graduate degree in order
to change career fields. The Placement Office assists students
in exploring and developing career choices and to prepare
for the job search. The Placement Office offers assistance
with resume preparation as well as a computerized Resume Expert
system. Other services include employer outreach and contacts,
individual job search counseling and a career resources library.
Contact the Placement Office in B-119 or call Extension 4680
for information about the services provided.
Veteran’s Affairs
Veteran’s Affairs assists with benefits and educational
planning, and offers workshops and programs to meet the special
needs of the veteran. The office is located in D-108. Call
Extension 4028 for information about the services provided.
Women’s Services
The Women’s Services Office focuses on the contemporary
issues that confront women in today’s society. Issues
cover a wide spectrum of topics that include childcare, health,
women’s rights and sexual harassment. As a resource
and action center, Women’s Services staff assist with
personal, career and academic needs by providing advisement,
referrals, support groups, workshops, and counseling. Contact
the Women’s Services Office in D-017 or at Extension
4872 for information about the services provided.
I am an International Student—What
should I do?
The Office of International Programs Northeastern Illinois University values the role played
by the international students who contribute to the diversity
of Northeastern community and enrich the educational dialogues
in the classrooms. Making international students feel at home
is the ultimate goal of the Office of International Programs.
The staff of the Office of International Programs strives
to service international students in the following ways:
To make the pre-admission application process clear and
expedient; -
To conduct orientation sessions to facilitate a smooth
transition to life at Northeastern and in the Chicago area;
-
To provide advisement on immigration regulations and
health insurance;
To work cooperatively with other offices concerned with
international students, including, but not limited to, the
Graduate College, Admissions and Records, Academic Advising,
Student Activities, and the Dean of Students Office, in
order to foster the intellectual, physical, ethical and
social development of international students.
The office of International Programs provides advising service
to international students and handles their visa and status
related matters. The office is located in building B, room
153 (B-153). The office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 7.p.m.,
Monday through Thursdays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
on Fridays. Contac the office at (773) 442-4796, Fax (773)
442-6021, and e-mail deptip@neiu.edu.
The International Student and the United States
Government Based on the Department of Homeland Security Act in 2002,
the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was dissolved
on March 1, 2003 and its responsibilities and functions concerning
the international student (F-1) visa holders have been transferred
to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS)
and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE).
Both Bureaus, the BCIS and the BICE, report to the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS).
On January 1, 2003, the U.S. government launched a computerized
system to monitor and track all international students and
exchange visitors, which is called the Student and Exchange
Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Northeastern Illinois
University (NEIU) is a SEVIS service approved school.
As soon as you receive your SEVIS Form I-20, Certificate
of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status, you
must review all three pages carefully, and then print your
name, sign and date under #11 on the first page. If you are
not currently in the U.S., you will need your acceptance letter
from the Graduate College and Form I-20 to obtain a nonimmigrant
(F-1) student visa. Please contact the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate to apply for your visa as soon as possible. Every
U.S. embassy or consulate works from the same set of regulations
and laws, but may adapt procedures for their location. For
a list of websites of U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide,
and for comprehensive information about visa policies and
procedures, you may access and visit www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov.
All newly admitted international students must report to
the Office of International Programs at least two weeks prior
to the first day of classes. In order to assist you in registering
for classes and understanding matters related to F-1 student
status, you must attend one of the scheduled orientation sessions.
If you cannot attend any of the scheduled orientation sessions,
you must call (773-442-4796) or email (deptip@neiu.edu) the
Office of International Programs to make an appointment with
an advisor.
Maintaining Lawful Student Visa (F-1) Status
Being an international student in the U.S., it is very
important for you to maintain your status. Maintaining your
status means that you must observe the following laws and
regulations governing your nonimmigrant F-1 student status.
As an international student in the U.S., it is very important
for you to maintain your status. Maintaining your status means
that you must observe the following laws and regulations governing
your nonimmigrant F-1 student visa:
Maintain a valid passport at all times. Attend the university/college you are authorized to attend. Maintain full time enrollment (9 credits hours and above
for graduate students). Limit on-campus employment to 20 hours a week during the
academic year. (Full-time on-campus employment is permitted
during vacation periods such summer, as long as you are enrolled
full-time the term before and intend to be full-time the following
term). Never work off-campus without INS authorization. Limit
off-campus employment with authorization (through economic
hardship or practical training) to 20 hours per week while
school is in session. Apply for program extensions at least one month before
the completion date on the form I-20. -
Follow INS procedure for changing from one program or educational
level to another (e.g., from B.A. degree to M.A. degree).
Report changes of address within 10 days of such a change
by completing and mailing a form AR-11 to the INS.
From January 1, 2003, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System (SEVIS) launched by the INS became effective. Northeastern
Illinois University is a SEVIS service approved school. In
compliance with SEVIS regulations, all international students
MUST report to the office of International Programs any of
the following events within ten days of their occurrence:
Change of address, major field of study, or financial situation Termination of studies: withdrawal date and reason. -
Transfer to another school: term of transfer and school
transferred to.
-
On-campus or off-campus employment: employer’s name
and address, job description, hours per week, start date and
end date.
If you drop below full-time enrollment, you must confer with
an international student advisor BEFORE you drop. If you plan
to travel outside the U.S., you must get your I-20 signed
by an international students advisor at least two weeks in
advance.
Working in the United States Off –campus employment through Optional Practical
Training or Economic Hardship requires INS employment authorization
90 days in advance. Curricular Practical Training also requires
authorization in advance. If you fail to get authorization
in a timely manner, you would be in violation of your status.
Come to the office of International Programs to find out the
eligibilities and procedures for applying for Practical Training
and Economic Hardship.
Health Insurance
There is no national system of free health care in the
United States. Hospital and doctor fees are very costly.
For example, a daily charge for a hospital stay is about
US$500.00 (excluding all medications, lab tests and doctors’
care); a normal doctor’s visit is about US$70.00-$120.00;
and the cost of having a baby is over US$5,000.00. Therefore,
it is vital that you have adequate health insurance coverage
in case a health issue should arise.
Student Health Insurance is automatically assessed when
you register for classes. It covers all full-time undergraduate
students at Northeastern. The Student Health Insurance premium
is about US$189.00 per student per semester (as of 2003-2004
academic year), which will be included in the semester tuition
and fees bill. You may cancel this insurance premium by
completing a waiver form and providing proof of coverage
from an alternate insurance carrier with equal or better
coverage. If you are covered by an insurance company from
your home country, make sure that insurance protects you
while you are in the United States.
If you are a graduate student, you are strongly recommended
to purchase a health insurance plan. You may apply for Northeastern’s
Student Health Insurance by completing an application form
at the Health Service Office and paying the insurance premium
to the Cashier’s Office at Northeastern when paying
your tuition and fees bill.
Living in Chicago Chicago is a fun and fascinating city with a fast-paced
lifestyle. In Chicago, as in all metropolitan cities around
the world, you should be wise about your personal safety at
all times. Do not carry large sums of money or valuables with
you; do not offer information to strangers about your financial
and personal matters. You should try not to walk alone at night.
If you are alone, be aware of your surroundings and carry your
personal belongings close to your body. If you use common sense
and make wise choices of where you go and whom you speak with,
you can have a great and safe stay here.
Northeastern Illinois University does not have residence
halls (dormitories). All students live off-campus in apartments
or homes. Monthly rent for an apartment in Chicago ranges
from $400 to $1,500, depending on the location and size. In
the U.S., a credit history check is almost always required
before you sign a lease as a tenant. As an international student,
you might not have any U.S. credit history. In order to compensate
for this lack of credit history, some landlords may require
a double security deposit.
The method of finding and renting an apartment in Chicago
may be different than what occurs in your country. Searching
for an apartment of your own or renting a room from a family
can be time consuming and frustrating, especially from a long
distance. The following are some useful rental websites:
www.chireader.com/cgi-bin/spacefind.cgi
www.homestore.com
www.apartments.com
www.springstreet.com
www.apartments-in-chicago.com
www.relonapartments.com
The Office of the Dean of Students at Northeastern maintains
a Housing Board, which lists an assortment of information
on housing options, such as “apartment for rent”
notices and “seeking roommate” flyers. It is located
in the corridor between the Building C (Sachs Administration)
and the Building B. Neither the Dean of Students Office nor
the International Programs Office recommends or endorses any
specific apartment complex, boarding house, realtor, or landlord.
It is your own responsibility to find and select the lodging
that is affordable, clean, well maintained and safe.
I have met with my advisor and
I’m registered in classes, what else do I need to know?
Staying in Graduate School—The Minimum Standards
of Performance Unsatisfactory Performance
The following will constitute unsatisfactory performance
in any academic term:
All graduate credits within the scope of
the specific Master’s
program, not only those actually applied, must average at
least B (3.0). No more than six hours of C credit is acceptable.
Grades below C bear no credit toward the degree. Upon receiving
a third grade of C, the student must petition the Dean of
the Graduate College, in writing, providing full rationale
for permission to continue in the program. A petition must
be filed within 60 days from the time the status was affected.
The petition will be reviewed by the Dean and the Graduate
Advisor and the student will be informed of the decision within
30 days after the petition is received. The student will become
ineligible for the degree and will be dropped from the program
upon receiving grades below “B” in four courses
(three for the Exercise Science Program).
Satisfactory Progress
To remain in good standing in a degree program in the Graduate
College, the student must make continuing satisfactory progress.
Lack of progress in four consecutive semesters will normally
result in the student being dropped from the program.
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Transferring Courses Transfer of credits Guideline:
Courses taken as a student-at-large with a degree at
Northeastern Illinois University by students denied admission
into a graduate program will not be accepted in a Master’s
program. A student-at-large may be permitted to transfer up to
a maximum of nine graduate credits upon admission to a Master’s
program. Such work must correspond to specific program requirements
and satisfy all scholastic requirements of the Graduate
College. -
In addition, a maximum of nine graduate hours of transfer
credit from other colleges/universities may be accepted
(see procedure below). Workshops, institutes, practica,
internships or similar courses are generally not eligible
for transfer credits. The criteria for acceptance are:
The work must have been completed at an accredited
institution which offers an advanced degree in the academic
area. The course must carry graduate degree credit at the
institution offering it and applicable to that institution’s
comparable graduate degree program. -
It must be relatively recent.
-
The grade must be at least B.
-
The course must be applicable to the degree sequence
at NEIU.
-
The course must meet the academic rigor and standards
expected of a graduate course.
The course must not have been used in a previous degree.
-
In the case of graduate credit taken at colleges/universities
outside of the United States, recommendation of the appropriate
department and approval of the Graduate Dean are required.
Documentation of work abroad will be necessary, and consultation
with an outside agency may be required.
-
A maximum of six credit hours taken at Northeastern Illinois
University, prior to the granting of the bachelor’s
degree, may be considered for acceptance for a Master’s
program if these credits:
The Office of Admissions and Records must be advised, in
writing, of a student’s intention to petition to apply
those courses to a Master’s program. The above applies
only to Northeastern Illinois University graduates. Please
refer to the Policy on Exemption of Courses from an Undergraduate
Degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the section
titled, “Information on University Policies.”
The procedures for requesting transfer credit are as follows:
The student must first be admitted to a degree program; The student must submit the transfer of credits/ waiver
form to the Dean of the Graduate College identifying the
course for which transfer credit is requested; The course in question must be identified by title, number,
college/university. A catalog description must be provided
along with verification of the course’s applicability
to a comparable graduate degree at the institution where
it was taken; This verification may be a letter from the institution
stating that the course is applicable to their degree program. The course in the Master’s degree program for which
substitution is requested must be identified; i.e. NEIU’s
specific required or elective course. An official transcript of the work must either be on
file or sent to the Graduate College. The transcript may
accompany the petition provided it is in a sealed, unopened
envelope.
The six-year time limit for completion of the degree program
applies to all course work applicable to the program including
transfer credit. Time extensions are not granted for transfer
credit.
Candidacy—You can’t graduate without
it The Application for Master’s Degree Candidacy should
be submitted by those students who have been officially admitted
to a master’s degree program and who have satisfied
all qualifications for degree candidacy in that program. Among
the requirements are:
Completion of twelve hours of applicable graduate degree
credits (15 credits for students in Counseling) in a master’s
degree program to which the student was officially admitted.
A maximum of six credits of course work accepted from other
colleges/universities may apply for consideration for candidacy.
Fulfillment of any program prerequisite deficiencies
that were identified at the time of admission to a program
or subsequently recommended by that program. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B), including all
credits in the major area even though they might not be
applied to the program itself. Any specific requirements applicable to an individual
program, such as possession of a permanent teacher’s
certificate.
Acceptance to degree candidacy is a registration requisite
for the thesis seminar, practicum/internship, some graduate
courses, and for submission of the Application for Graduation.
In addition, for any student who was admitted to a master’s
program on a conditional basis, acceptance to degree candidacy
is also formal recognition of having attained full standing
in the program.
Candidacy applications are available in the Graduate College.
After an application has been evaluated by both the Graduate
College office and the Graduate Advisor for a program, the
student will receive a letter of response from the Graduate
College office.
I don’t think my course grade was fair, what
can I do? All students have a legitimate right to seek redress when
they consider their final grade in a course to be unreasonable,
unjust, or capricious. A grade appeal procedure is in place,
and must be initiated during the term immediately following
receipt of the grade in question; in cases involving special
and unusual circumstances, this time period may be reasonably
extended. For more information concerning the Grade Appeal
procedure, contact the Graduate College Office or the Dean
of Students Office.
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Doing a Thesis The Course Schedule Maintenance for Thesis Seminar form
may be obtained from the Graduate College. Completed forms
must be submitted to the Records Office at least one week
prior to registration. Degree Candidacy is a prerequisite
for registration for the Thesis Seminar.
The Manual of Thesis Procedures is available without charge
from the Graduate College. Students who write a thesis or
do a project as part of their graduate degree requirements
are expected to be familiar with, and to follow, the guidelines
as indicated in the Thesis Manual.
Student Conduct Graduate students are expected to comply with the rules,
regulations and policies of the university and the Graduate
College, and to exhibit the highest standard of academic integrity.
Any student formally charged with committing an act of misconduct
or falsification of information provided to the University
will be subject to disciplinary procedures as outlined in
the University Student Conduct Code.
Academic misconduct consists of acts of dishonesty in fulfilling
academic requirements relating to course instruction at the
university, such as but not limited to, cheating and plagiarism.
Non-academic misconduct are acts not in the academic context
described above but as described in the University Student
Conduct Code.
A student who is formally charged with an act of misconduct
is entitled to the right of due process as described in the
University Student Conduct Code. A copy of this code may be
obtained from the office of the Dean of Students or the Graduate
College. Students are expected to know and comply with the
specifics of this code.
Can I be exempted from a course?
Waiver
Students applying for a waiver of specific course requirements
through demonstration of competence or completion of a similar/same
course at another institution may petition the Graduate
College. A waiver form must be submitted to the Graduate
College. If a waiver is approved for a graduate course,
the student must complete an equal number of alternate approved
graduate degree credits.
I’m in a program that isn’t
the right one for me, what are my options?
A student who wants to change from a current degree program to
another degree program should proceed as follows:
Examine the requirements of the new program and submit all
additional documents in support of the program change which
may not have been required for admission to the student’s
original program. Submit a formal, written request to the Dean of the Graduate
College, along with a new statement of goals, providing the
details and rationale for requesting the change a form is available
for this process. This will initiate a reevaluation process
for admission into a new program. Normally, only one program
change is approved. The request for program change will be evaluated by the
new department/program, which may or may not accept any work
completed in the previous program, within limits defined by
the Graduate College for transfer credit.
I can’t finish my program in
six years, what should I do?
Graduate College policy states that all credits applicable
to the degree must have been completed within a maximum of six
years prior to the granting of the Master’s degree. This
includes transfer credits, submission of thesis, defense of
thesis, submission of research projects, completion of practica
or completion of internship and the course credits required
for the degree. Extension beyond this period are not routine
but may be granted only under special circumstances. The student
must submit a written petition providing rationale for the granting
of a time extension. An action plan to complete degree requirements,
developed in consultation with the advisor, will facilitate
the evaluation of the request. The student will be notified
of the outcome of his or her request generally within three
to four weeks of the receipt of the petition in the Graduate
College. However, time extensions are not granted for transfer
credits from other institutions.
Enrollment Leave
A student in good academic standing may be given a leave of
absence upon the student’s request and subsequent approval
by the Dean. Such leaves are still counted within the six year
time limitation for degree credits.
I am finishing my graduate program, what should I be
doing?
Applying for Graduation A student must file Application for Graduation during the
term in which s/he expects to graduate. Specific filing periods
are as follows: for May graduation, file this application during the previous
January; for August graduation, pervious May; for December graduation,
pervious August. The filing periods are publicized in the Schedule of Classes
in the section entitled “Graduate College Deadlines”.
Because a non-refundable and non-transferable graduation fee
must accompany the application, students must have candidacy,
and a reasonable expectation of completing all other degree
requirements, such as thesis, departmental proficiency examination,
removal of incomplete grade(s), etc. by the final day of class.
Students will be permitted to file for graduation in the term
in which they are taking their last course(s) at Northeastern
Illinois University.
The Graduation Ceremony Commencement ceremonies are held twice yearly for all Northeastern
graduates, including Master’s degree recipients. The
December ceremony includes graduates for the Summer and the
Fall terms of that academic year. The May ceremony includes
the Spring term graduates. The University Events Office sends
information to eligible graduates during March and October
for the May and the December ceremonies respectively.
How do I prove that I finished my program? Certification of Status
If a graduate student has completed all academic requirements
and is awaiting the formal awarding of a degree, the Dean
of the Graduate College, upon that student’s written
request, will issue a letter certifying his or her status.
Such letters are normally accepted by employers, boards of
education for salary increment purposes and by other universities
as certification that the degree has been earned.
Applying for a Job—How Can NEIU help?
Some students seek to complete a graduate degree in order
to change career fields. The Placement Office assists students
in exploring and developing career choices and to prepare
for the job search. The Placement Office offers assistance
with resume preparation as well as a computerized Resume
Expert system. Other services include employer outreach
and contacts, individual job search counseling and a career
resources library. Contact the Placement Office in B-119
or call Extension 4680 for information about the services
provided.
Degree Transcripts and Diplomas All Northeastern Illinois University transcripts are issued
by the office of Admissions and Records upon students’
requests. One copy of the degree transcript is automatically
mailed from the Admissions and Records office to the student
after graduation.
The Records Office will send written notification to each
graduating student when diplomas are available. A student
may elect to pick up his/her diploma at a specified time and
place, or ask to have it mailed.
Being an NEIU Alumni
The Alumni Association enhances the mutual relationship
that exists between graduates and the university. All graduates
of Northeastern become members of the Alumni Association.
Active membership status is conferred on graduates who support
the Annual Fund. Membership allows graduates to participate
in many cultural, social and educational events and activities
after leaving the university. Graduates are encouraged to
maintain their ties with and to participate in the many
activities sponsored by the university.
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