Applying to NIU

Thank you for your interest in applying to a graduate program at NIU. All application materials must be uploaded through our online system. Be sure to review additional information about the application process if you're an international student or a student-at-large

Time to apply

About 15 minutes, with careful preparation. 

Cost to apply

  • $60 for degree-seeking students
  • $25 for select programs with the CAS application (Athletic Training, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Speech Pathology, Audiology)
  • $10 for students-at-large (non-degree-seeking)

Graduate school application deadlines

  • Fall: July 15 (May 1 for international applicants)
  • Spring: Dec. 10 (Oct. 1 for international applicants)
  • Summer: June 1

Application fee waiver

Payment for the application fee must accompany the submission of the application.

The following individuals are exempt from payment of the application fee:

How to Apply

Select your admit term:

Spring 2024, Summer 2024 or Fall 2024 Instructions 

  1. Select Your Program
    • Select the graduate program in which you wish to enroll.
    • Take note of the program's application requirements and its application deadline, the date by which you must submit all application materials.
  2. Gather Your Application Materials
    The following items are required for graduate admission. Additional materials may be required by your program:
    • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
    • 2.75 undergraduate GPA (on 4.0 scale)
    • Unofficial transcripts
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Statement of purpose
    • Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
    Read complete details on application materials.
  3. Check in With Your References
    Your references are people who will write letters of recommendation for you. You should ask them if they are willing to write a letter before you begin the application process.
  4. Start Your Online Application
    When you start your application, you'll be asked to do the following:
    • Provide required information.
    • Enter email addresses for your references and trigger an email to be sent to them.
    • Upload required materials.
  5. Finalize and Submit Your Application
    Double check your work. Verify that you have chosen the correct program of study. Pay the application fee online as part of the submission process. If you save your application before you submit it, you can log back in to continue working on it. After you submit your application, you can log back in to view a checklist of materials and upload any you still need to provide.

start your application

Spring 2025 or Summer 2025 Instructions 

  1. Select Your Program
    • Select the graduate program in which you wish to apply.
    • Take note of the program's application requirements and its application deadline, the date by which you must submit all application materials.
  2. Gather Your Application Materials
    The following items are required for graduate admission. Additional materials may be required by your program.
    • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
    • 2.75 undergraduate GPA (on 4.0 scale)
    • Unofficial transcripts
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Statement of purpose
    • Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
    Read complete details on application materials.
  3. Check in With Your References
    Your references are people who will write letters of recommendation for you. You should ask them if they are willing to write a letter before you begin the application process.
  4. Start Your Online Application
    When you start your application, you'll be asked to do the following:
    • Provide required information.
    • Enter email addresses for your references and trigger an email to be sent to them.
    • Upload required materials
  5. Finalize and Submit Your Application
    Double check your work. Verify that you have chosen the correct program of study. Pay the application fee online as part of the submission process. If you save your application before you submit it, you can log back in to continue working on it. After you submit your application, you can log back in to view a checklist of materials and upload any you still need to submit.

START YOUR APPLICATION

Campus Safety

NIU provides information regarding campus security, personal and fire safety, including topics such as: crime prevention, emergency response procedures and crime reporting policies, in addition to crime and fire statistics for the most recent three calendar years. See the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (PDF).

Additional file formats and information about the annual report are available on the Clery website. To request a hard copy, please contact the director of Clery Compliance at clerycompliance@niu.edu or 815-753-1649.

Contact Us

The Graduate School
Williston Hall 100

815-753-0395
gradsch@niu.edu

Northern Illinois University
1425 West Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, IL 60115

Directions and Maps

Hours: M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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