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Northern Illinois University

Academic Advising Center

Frequently Asked Questions

General

  1. What is the purpose of the Academic Advising Center?
  2. Why do I need an academic adviser?
  3. How do I get an appointment with my academic advisor?
  4. How often should I meet with my advisor?
  5. What is my Z-ID number?
  6. Why do I have an NIU e-mail address?
  7. I forgot how to access my NIU email. What should I do?

Majors

  1. What majors are available?
  2. I'm not sure what to major in, is that okay?
  3. Does my major determine my career?
  4. When do I need to make a decision about my major at NIU?
  5. Where can I get help choosing my major?
  6. What courses should I take while I am “deciding”?
  7. What are the advantages of starting in college as a “deciding” student?
  8. What does it mean to “double major”?
  9. What is a minor?
  10. Should I add minors to my major?
  11. What is the difference between a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts?

Registration/Scheduling

  1. How do I choose my classes?
  2. How many courses should I take each semester?
  3. How do I find out what classes are available?
  4. When can I register for classes?
  5. How do I make changes to my schedule?
  6. What is the difference between dropping a course and withdrawing from a course?
  7. How do I withdraw from a course?
  8. How long do I have to withdraw from a course?
  9. Is there a limit to how many times I may withdraw from a course?
  10. What are FIGs?
  11. Why should students consider enrolling in a FIG?
  12. What are the requirements to enroll in a FIG?

Student Records

  1. How can I check my academic progress?
  2. What is the difference between a transcript and a Degree Progress Report?
  3. What if I find an error on my Degree Progress report?
  4. What if the catalog year is wrong on my Degree Progress report?
  5. How do I obtain a transcript?
  6. What is the turnaround time to get a transcript mailed?
  7. How can I track my transcript request?

Academic Issues and University Policies

  1. How many credits do I need to be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior?
  2. What is the Pass/Fail grading option and how do I change a course from graded to Pass/Fail?
  3. How do I calculate my grade point average (GPA)?
  4. Can I repeat a course?
  5. What is Academic Probation?
  6. What is Academic Dismissal?

Transfer Issues

  1. How does a course from an Illinois public community college transfer to NIU?
  2. How will a course transfer from an out-of-state school or a school that is not listed in the Articulation
  3. Handbook?
  4. Do I need approval to take a course at another college and transfer it to NIU?
  5. What is concurrent enrollment, and do I need concurrent enrollment approval?
  6. What is the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)?
  7. What if my transfer work is not showing on my Degree Progress report?