School Business Management
Online Master of Science in Education or Certification Only

Build expertise in financial planning, facility operations and related areas

Offered in partnership with the Illinois Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), our program leads to the Chief School Business Official (CSBO) endorsement. Each course in the program includes two in-person sessions at the NIU Naperville campus.

Choose the program option that aligns with your needs:

M.S.Ed. degree and CSBO endorsement
CSBO endorsement only: if you have a graduate degree in a related area and a professional educator license (PEL)
Expedited PEL with CSBO endorsement: if you have a graduate degree in certain areas and work experience in a school district

Instead of paying tuition to NIU, you’ll pay membership dues to Illinois ASBO. Neither NIU nor Illinois ASBO provides a 1098-T. Certification-only students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Credit hours required

M.S.Ed. and CSBO endorsement:

CSBO endorsement only:

Expedited PEL with CSBO endorsement varies by experience.

Tuition per credit hour

Illinois ASBO determines costs and payment options for this program

Application Deadlines

(starts new cohorts every other term)

Term	Deadline
Spring 26	December 10
Fall 26	August 1

What Can I Do With a M.S.Ed. or Certification in School Business Management from NIU?

You’ll gain skills and knowledge in areas relevant to your work, including management, administration, budgeting and bargaining, preparing you to excel in leadership roles such as chief financial officer or director of operations. 

You must pass the CSBO content exam before qualifying for the endorsement. 

Learn How We’ll Support Your Success >>

How to Apply

The application process you follow depends on if you’re pursuing the M.S.Ed. degree or a non-degree option.

Application deadlines:

Fall start: Aug. 1
Spring start: Dec. 10
Summer start: May 1

Learn About Applying to NIU >>

You can apply if you have a bachelor's degree in any field with a preferred minimum 2.75 GPA.

You'll apply through the Graduate School as a degree-seeking student. Your application materials will include:

One-page career goal statement
Contact information for one individual to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf
Resume/curriculum vitae
Transcripts

You can apply if you have a master's degree in any field with a preferred 3.20 GPA.

You'll apply through the Graduate School as a student at large. Be sure to select the "student at large" classification, not "Certificate of Graduate Study."

Your application materials will include:

One-page career goal statement
Contact information for one individual to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf
Resume/curriculum vitae
Transcripts

After acceptance, you'll apply to the certification-only program.

You can apply if you have:

Master's degree in business administration, public administration, finance or accounting with a preferred 3.20 GPA
Minimum of one year of experience in a current business-related non-teaching role within an Illinois school district

You'll apply through the Graduate School as a student at large. Be sure to select the "student at large" classification, not "Certificate of Graduate Study."

Your application materials will include:

One-page career goal statement
Contact information for one individual to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf
Resume/curriculum vitae
Transcripts
Expedited licensure matrix

Contact the academic department at LEPF@niu.edu to request the expedited licensure matrix, which should be completed by your supervisor who holds the ISBE CSBO and/or superintendent endorsement. Once received, the program coordinator will schedule a meeting with you and your supervisor to review your materials and create an individualized program plan.

Request More Information

We’ll send you details about our online M.S.Ed. or certification in school business management.

Program Links

Take advantage of all the resources, both human and otherwise, that are available to you. Where you go from here and what you achieve will depend on what you gain from NIU today.

Teresa Wasonga
professor, Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations