Universities across Illinois formed an alliance offering homeland security courses for students enrolled in any participating university. If you’re enrolled at one of these Alliance universities, you now have the opportunity to gain homeland security skills and disaster preparedness training from expert faculty members across Illinois.

Here’s a list of participating universities:

• Chicago State University
• Eastern Illinois University
• Governors State University
• Illinois State University
• Northern Illinois University
• Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
• Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
• Western Illinois University

If you are admitted to any of these schools you can take approved IDEA courses from any of the other institutions. Check out the list of classes by visiting www.illinoisideahs.org.

Amanda

My NIU is a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that integrates all of the “business” processes and functions that NIU requires of students.  Sound confusing?  Well, all you really need to know is that you can do the following things through My NIU:

• Apply for Admissions
• View Application Status
• Review Financial Aid status
• Accept/Decline Financial Aid
• Register for classes (Add, Drop, Swap)
• View account summary
• Monitor degree progress
• View grades

My NIU is a handy system that you should get to know once you decide to apply.  For more information, visit the help page at http://www.niu.edu/myniutraining/training/student_training.shtml.
Amanda

In an effort to be organized and plan ahead, we’ve already set up our fall open houses.  Prospective students will have the opportunity to visit our off-campus locations (the same buildings where  classes are taught) and meet with program advisors about the degrees and certificates we offer in each location.

• NIU Naperville:  October 14, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• NIU Hoffman Estates:  October 16, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• NIU Rockford:  October 21, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

If you’re interested in discovering what degrees we offer and where, visit our locations and degrees pages:

Undergraduates:  http://www.niu.edu/offcampusacademics/undergrad.shtml
Graduates:  http://www.niu.edu/offcampusacademics/graduate.shtml

Amanda

Masters in Elementary Education—coming soon to Rockford!!

NIU’s Department of Teaching and Learning now offers a Masters in Elementary Education in the Rockford area.  This program will begin spring of 2009.  It is likely that courses will be held at NIU Rockford, though all the logistics are still being ironed out.

Courses will be offered on Wednesday evenings. 

If you’d like more information, let me know.  Or, you can attend the information session scheduled on September 24th at NIU Rockford from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Apply by November 2008.
Start classes Spring of 2009.

Amanda

The Department of Nursing just announced new cohorts popping up in locations near you.  In a cohort, you’ll attend class with the same people throughout all the courses, and you will know your entire schedule from the beginning.  The nice part about this is that you’ll get to know your classmates and come to rely on them in many ways.  Another benefit – we have found that students in cohorts are more likely to complete their degrees.

New Cohorts:

• Elgin Community College: Spring 2010 and Spring 2012
• Harper College:  Fall 2008 and Fall 2010
• Waubonsee Community College: Fall 2009 and Fall 2011

Visit www.niu.edu/offcampusacademics/nursing/ to see program requirements and discover how much a bachelor’s degree in nursing can advance your career as an RN.

In the past, many of our nursing cohorts were located in hospitals.  Moving forward, you’ll notice that most cohorts will reside inside community colleges all across Northern Illinois.  NIU believes that learning is best conducted in educational environments—and lucky for you—NIU doesn’t make you come to DeKalb.

Check back often to see if new cohorts are available in your area!

Amanda