Frequently Asked Questions

The University Center is located on the Harper College campus, 1200 West Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL 60067 in Building D, Room 264.

The University Center is a partnership between Harper College and select four-year universities, allowing students to complete their bachelor’s degree in select programs right on Harper’s campus.

Academic programs start in the fall semester. You need to apply to NIU by Aug. 1. However, we highly encourage you to apply by March 1 to be considered for transfer merit scholarships.

Make sure to confirm your enrollment. Log in to MyNIU using your NIU account ID (Z-ID). Choose the Admissions tile and select “Confirm Intent to Enroll.” Once confirmed, contact your departmental advisor to register for classes. Follow our next steps for off-campus and online admitted students.

All programs begin major courses in the required sequence only in the fall. However, you could begin your studies in the spring or summer by taking courses that meet NIU graduation requirements. Make sure that you meet with your NIU departmental advisor.

Some programs require the completion of specific coursework in advance.

Computer science program – you are required to complete CSC 121 and CSC 122 prior to enrolling in your first fall semester. You can complete math coursework, such as calculus for business and social sciences or discrete mathematics, after starting. You'll also need to complete STAT 200 (offered online) soon after starting the program.

Yes, you're considered an NIU student and eligible for university and departmental scholarships if enrolled full-time. Your federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants, can also be applied.

We encourage you to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available Oct. 1. You should file your FAFSA as soon as possible each year. NIU’s school code is 001737.

It is possible to complete the program in two years. To do so, you would take full course loads, including face-to-face courses at the University Center at Harper College and online courses. We consider a full course load to be 15-17 hours a semester. Be sure to check in with your program advisor to make sure you're on track to graduate.

You can take less than 15 hours, but it likely will extend your time to completion. To stay on track, we encourage you to follow the transfer guide and take the courses planned for your program each semester.

The timeline to graduation depends on your course load each semester. You should contact your program advisor to determine the timeline for graduation based on your desired course load each semester.

Some programs offer core courses later in the day to allow you to juggle work and family obligations. Discuss any schedule conflicts with your program advisor.

Major courses are a blend of in-person, online and hybrid courses. Online courses may be synchronous or asynchronous.

Elective requirements are offered online or through other degree courses offered at the University Center, as available. Your program advisor can help you locate course options.

Currently, off-campus students do not have an orientation requirement.

You should meet with your advisor at least once each semester before registering for classes. You should plan to meet with your advisor in October for spring registration and in March for fall registration. Find the advisor for your program and reach out to them to schedule a time to register for classes. You should also contact your advisor for help in identifying resources and strategies if you experience difficulties in your classes. Be proactive. When you seek assistance early, you have a better chance of completing a course with a good grade.

Read this helpful step-by-step registration guide on how to register for classes. To register for classes, you will need to know your enrollment date. Some programs require permission to access courses. It is best to meet with an advisor each semester to guide course selection.

Yes, you are able to take courses outside your major as electives are built into the course plan. The semester-by-semester course plan is designed for you to complete the bachelor's degree in two years. Although nothing prohibits you from taking additional coursework, it will be difficult to maintain progress toward degree completion. Online minors are available in history and political science. A GIS certificate is also available.

You should sign up to receive Harper College’s RAVE alert. Sign up for Harper College Alerts through Rave. There may be times that your professor will need to cancel class due to weather or illness. Those notifications are generally posted to Blackboard or sent to your NIU email account.

Yes, you'll be able to access NIU resources by setting up virtual appointments on campus. Review available resources such as the Huskie Academic Success Center and Career Services for more information.

Yes, you'll still have access to Harper College public services, including the library, study spaces and printing.

You will need to fulfill the program degree requirements and meet general education requirements. Visit the Undergraduate Catalog for details. You can see your progress toward graduation by viewing your Academic Requirements Report in MyNIU. You should also contact your NIU advisor. They will work with you to address any unmet requirements. Before your final semester, you must apply online for graduation.