Frequently Asked Questions

Who is my advisor?

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students all have assigned advisors. Your assigned advisor may reach out to you to suggest appointments or check in with you at various times during the year. 

If you do not know who your advisor is:

  • Current students can find the name of their assigned advisor in the MyNIU "self-service quick links" and then "student center".
  • You can also make an appointment with your advisor in Navigate Student.
  • If you are still experiencing issues finding your advisor email clas_advising_office@niu.edu or call 815-753-0114

Your advisor will help you establish academic goals. plan your schedule and keep track of college and graduation requirements. If you change majors, your college advisor can clarify how that change might impact both completed and upcoming coursework.

Currently, our appointments are conducted in person or via Microsoft Teams.

Academic departments also have designated advisors who support students by helping with major/minor/certificate declarations and sharing their expertise about their major/minor/certificate programs. Your CLAS advisor can put you in touch with your departmental advisor.

What – specifically – does my College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) advisor do for me?

See your college advisor regularly to track your progress toward meeting university and college requirements. They can help you understand your Academic Requirements Report and audit.

You must see your college advisor to initiate:

  • Course drops during the second week of the semester.
  • Course withdrawals beginning the third week of the semester.
  • University withdrawals.
  • Overload permits to take over 18 credit hours in a semester (9 credit hours in summer).
  • Senior transfer credit and concurrent enrollment requests.
  • Permission for a third enrollment in a class.
  • Special exceptions to stated academic policy.

The college advisor also provides information and assistance for students who are experiencing academic difficulties including academic probation or dismissal.

What should I do to prepare for an advising appointment?

Prepare, be on time, and be ready to take good notes.

Take time to explore some course descriptions and make some tentative choices we can discuss. It is perfectly acceptable not to know what you should take and in what order, but our time together will be more productive if you can tell us what types of courses interest you. If you have fewer than 40 earned hours, most of your selections will probably be from the general education requirements of the undergraduate catalog.

Bring any notes you have from previous meetings with your major and minor advisors. This information could be useful to see how those courses fit with your other university requirements.

If you are inquiring about correspondence you have received from the university, bring a copy of the email or letter you received.

What is the difference between a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.)?

The departments of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offer baccalaureate programs leading to the degrees Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.). Some majors offer a choice between a B.A. or a B.S. while others are B.A.-only or B.S.-only.

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must demonstrate competence in a foreign language. To see which languages NIU offers and ways you might meet the B.A. requirement, check the undergraduate catalog.

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree must demonstrate competence in laboratory science/mathematical/computational skills. This requirement can be met by completing a four-semester sequence listed in the undergraduate catalog. The sequences listed are the minimum requirements for the B.S. degree and some departments have additional course requirements in the laboratory/mathematical sciences. If you are seeking a B.S. degree, see an advisor to determine which sequence to complete and which additional courses may be required for your major.

Navigating Academic Probation

Understanding Your Situation

You're still part of the NIU family, but it's time for a little focus on boosting those grades. If you find yourself on final academic probation, it's crucial to elevate your cumulative GPA to at least 2.00 by the end of your next enrolled semester.

Next Steps for Improvement:

1. Schedule an Advising Appointment: It's mandatory for students on final academic probation. This step is your starting point towards a turnaround.

2. Reflect and Plan: Take a moment to assess and strategize. With your advisor's guidance, you'll explore ways to enhance your academic performance. Remember, we're confident in your ability to succeed, and your advisor is here to support your journey.

How Your Advisor Assists:

  • Clarifies the Meaning of Final Academic Probation: You'll gain a thorough understanding of what probation entails and its implications.

  • Outlines GPA Goals: Discuss the specific grades needed to transition back to good academic standing.

  • Strategizes for Future Semesters: Together, you'll craft a plan for your upcoming semesters to ensure they align with your academic improvement goals.

  • Recommends Supportive Resources: Discover campus resources designed to bolster your academic skills.

We Believe in You

Navigating academic probation might seem daunting, but remember, this is a journey of improvement and learning. With the right strategies and support, you're capable of achieving your academic goals. Let's make this semester a stepping stone to success.

I've been academically dismissed. Now what?

If you want to petition to return to NIU for the upcoming semester, the dismissal letter you received in your z-ID email account includes a link to the online appeal form prior to the deadline stated in the letter.

Your appeal form will be reviewed by our committee. We will send a response to your permanent address or you may pick up the letter in Zulauf 201 when it is ready.

I've received a notification from Financial Aid indicating that I need to contact you to review my academic progress in order to continue receiving aid. How do I do that?

Each student who receives notification about their academic progress (Satisfactory Academic Progress or SAP) should receive a packet in the mail or a link via email explaining how to proceed with the appeal process. You will need to meet with a college advisor to fill out some paperwork, and you will need to write a letter of appeal. You should submit these documents to both financial aid and your advisor.

For additional information about this process, see the SAP information posted on Financial Aid's website.

Do I need permission to transfer a course to NIU? How do I know if a course will transfer to NIU?

If you are currently enrolled at NIU, you should make an appointment with your college advisor prior to completing any transfer coursework to make sure that the courses you are planning to take will apply to your degree. Schedule an appointment by calling 815-753-0114 or stopping by Zulauf Hall, room 201.

If you are taking courses at NIU and at another institution in the same semester, you must obtain prior approval from your college advisor. Schedule an appointment by calling 815-753-0114 or stopping by Zulauf Hall, room 201.

If you are a senior (have earned 90 or more credit hours) wishing to transfer credit to NIU, you must obtain prior approval from your college advisor. Schedule an appointment by calling 815-753-0114 or stopping by Zulauf Hall, room 201.

If the courses you are taking are transferring from an Illinois public community college, you can check the online articulation tables to determine how these courses will transfer to NIU.

How do I calculate my GPA?

You can use the NIU GPA Calculator to quickly and easily calculate your GPA. You can find your current GPA listed on your academic requirements report in MyNIU. If you have specific questions about improving your GPA, contact a college advisor.

Contact

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising
Zulauf Hall 201
815-753-0114
815-753-5904 (fax)
clas_advising_office@niu.edu