Northern Illinois University

Graduate School

Degree Requirements for Admission

In order to be considered for admission to The Graduate School at NIU, a student must have received a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

Generally, students holding a three-year degree should consider applying for admission as an undergraduate. In some regions, however, the three-year degree is awarded after at least 16 years of formal education, and recipients of such degrees are typically eligible to become graduate students at NIU. For example, degrees received through the Bologna Process are considered the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. All other three-year degrees are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The description of educational qualifications (Excel) guides International Admissions officers as they evaluate an applicant’s degree.