1. How does a course from an Illinois public community college transfer to NIU?
The Articulation Handbook lists the courses from the community college and NIU course equivalencies. This information is also found in the Equivalency Guides using the Course Applicability System (CAS). CAS tells you not only what courses transfer, but how they count towards a bachelor's degree.
2. How will a course transfer from an out-of-state school or a school that is not listed in the Articulation Handbook?
Current NIU students may complete a transferability form in Registration and Records, Williston Hall 220. An evaluation will be processed and a copy mailed to you. This process takes approximately one week. Prospective students must apply to NIU to receive an evaluation of the transfer coursework. After a student is admitted they may view their DARS report through WebCONNECT. The DARS report will indicate transfer course equivalencies.
3. Do I need approval to take a course at another college and transfer it to NIU?
It depends. If you are a senior (90 hours or more), you will need to request Senior Transfer Credit Approval from your major college, and the approval form must be sent to the Evaluations office in Registration and Records. If you will be concurrently enrolled at NIU and another school, you may need concurrent approval from your major college. Please note that a maximum of 66 hours will transfer from a(ny) two-year school(s). Please see your adviser for assistance.
4. What is concurrent enrollment, and do I need concurrent enrollment approval?
Concurrent enrollment is when you are enrolled at another institution during the same term that you are enrolled at NIU. If you are enrolled in more than two courses at NIU during the fall and spring terms, you will need approval to enroll at another institution to transfer that coursework to NIU. If you are enrolled in more than one course at NIU during the summer term, you will need approval to enroll at another institution to transfer that course work to NIU. You must apply for concurrent enrollment approval at your major college office.
5. What is a Senior Transfer Credit Approval form?
Once you reach 90 semester hours of credit, which is senior standing, no additional coursework can be transferred to NIU unless you have this approval. It authorizes you to take a course(s) at another institution and transfer it back to meet graduation requirements. You must complete the form at your major college office.
6. What is IAI?
The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide agreement that allows the transfer of the completed Illinois transferable General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) between participating institutions. If you successfully complete the GECC at any participating college or university in Illinois, upon transfer to NIU, your NIU general education requirements will be met. In addition, there are other courses that may be IAI approved courses that will apply to selected majors at NIU. See the NIU undergraduate catalog for additional information or seek information from your adviser. (See http://www.iTransfer.org for more information.)
7. What is CAS?
CAS is a web-based information system and tells you not only what courses transfer to NIU, but how they count in a specific major towards a bachelor's degree at NIU.
If you have any questions that were not addressed here in this FAQ, please feel free to contact the NIU Office of Registration and Records by phone (815) 753-0681 or by e-mail at regrec@niu.edu.