School Details
Northern Illinois University provides critical educational merit and experiences. NIU’s mission is to create skilled global citizens in a competitive working society. Undergraduate degrees, graduate programs, and certification are accessible to enhance professional development.
Northern Illinois University online degrees are available to the non-traditional student. Earn your bachelor’s in marketing, healthcare, technology, and more. Master’s and doctorate degrees are available as well. Students interested in graduate certificates can also enroll in NIU online.
NIU online works for working professionals:
- Courses offered 100% online
- Flexibility to balance personal life and work life with scholastic achievement
- Some courses require face-to-face meetings or projects
- Innovative and collaborative networking opportunities with peers
Accreditation & Licensing
Northern Illinois University is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Northern Illinois University offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Politics to the online student. This program is self-paced, keeping coursework, discussions, and attention from faculty accessible and flexible. Students will gain applicable skills for future or current workplace scenarios through several subfield studies, including but not limited to:
- American Government
- Public Law
- Public Administration
- International Politics
Courses are available 100% online. World-class online faculty equip students with essential knowledge of social and political issues, as well as substantial critical thinking skills. Graduates may pursue careers as political analysts, legislative assistants, social media managers, political consultants, and more. Students are also prepared for advanced studies, and may choose to move towards a master’s degree program upon completion of this BA. Take the next step in a fruitful, rigorous academic and professional pathway with NIU online.
A Bachelor of General Studies degree is available completely online with Northern Illinois University. Students are able to choose from a variety of courses across the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in order to complete a degree. This unique program is also one of the oldest degrees offered at NIU, and has been perfected to meet individual needs throughout the years. Graduates with this degree may find pursuable career paths in:
- Human resources
- Sales
- Education
- Service industry
Enhance a variety of skills from communication and critical thinking to problem-solving and ethical values. Full time faculty guide students with personalized attention and advising. This program can be the next step in professional life through an interdisciplinary core and the flexibility of online learning. Take advantage of each opportunity to move forward and find success with an online degree from Northern Illinois University.
Business
Complete your Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree online with this bachelor completion program. You can take advantage of this 100% online program for all of your upper-division coursework. Online students have the ability to interact through discussion boards and forums, and weekly modules allow you to complete coursework when it’s most convenient for you.
Students can expect to study topics including marketing, business communications, sales, and management. Concentrations are available in interactive marketing, international marketing, and professional sales.
Advance your career with an online Graduate Certificate in Public Management. This graduate program is ideal for those who already work in local government and want to enhance their skills.
Courses can benefit individuals employed in managing public safety, public works, finance, budgeting, parks and recreation, or housing. The online format and eight-week courses are designed for working adults.
Topics covered in this online public administration program include:
- Local and metropolitan government
- Organizational theory and behavior
- Public revenue analysis and financial management
- Leadership in public sector organizations
As the dynamics of tax laws continue to shift and evolve, the demand for professional accountants continues to grow. With this online Master of Accountancy (MAC), you will expand your expertise and understanding of accounting roles within successful organizations. You’ll also be well prepared to take the CPA exam, relying upon the skills and knowledge that you acquire in this AACSB-accredited degree. NIU’s online MAC program is intended for working professionals and is offered on a part-time basis. This gives you the flexibility to study on your own schedule, as you learn from experienced faculty. NIU’s MAC online is rated as one of the country’s best programs, with specialized coursework that may include:
- Assurance Services
- Managerial Accounting Information Systems
- Principles of Taxation
- Advanced Financial Reporting
This 100% online MBA from Northern Illinois can advance your career and prepare you for leadership roles within any number of organizations, from nonprofits to global conglomerates. As an AACSB-accredited program, designed for working professionals, NIU’s online MBA enables you to study at your own pace. The innovative coursework blends business theory, practical applications and specialized electives enabling you to develop a level of expertise that aligns directly with your individual goals. Whether you want to master strategic management, information systems technology, financial analysis, or other core business discipline, NIU’s MBA has an innovative curriculum that will give you the advanced tools and skills to succeed. Courses are taught by top-notched faculty with real-world experience. Sample classes likely include:
- Marketing Management
- Digital Transformation Strategy
- Leading Individuals, Teams and Organizations
- Entrepreneurial Creativity and Innovation
Designed for professionals in the public administration field, Northern Illinois University offers an online Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in Local Government Management. The curriculum includes coursework on:
- Local Government Administration
- Leadership in Public Sector Organizations
- Economic Development
Students can pursue networking connections with top scholars. Graduates of this program feel as if they are prepared to pursue various paths within the public administration and government field.
Gain advanced skills in public management with this Master of Public Administration online degree focused on Strategic Public Management and Leadership. With a 100% online program, you can enjoy flexibility while completing your degree. By taking two courses per semester, you can achieve your graduate degree in less than three years.
In this online Public Administration degree, you will learn about management theories related to working in the public sector. Courses teach you topics in personnel management, budgeting, and financial management, all tailored to public administration. Graduates will possess key leadership skills and the ability to strategically plan for the future.
Gain the skills and knowledge you need to break into one of the fastest growing segments of the business market with a Master of Science in Data Analytics. This online graduate program combines studies of technology, systems, and people for a holistic approach to data analysis and data science.
Learn about the latest trends and best practices in the field with this online Data Science degree. You will have the opportunity to work with big data, extract valuable insights, and apply that knowledge to a range of business contexts. Graduates of this business analytics online degree will have experience with Hadoop, R, Python, SQL, SAP Predictive Analytics, SAS, Tableau, and more.
With the MS in Data Analytics, you will be prepared for careers such as:
- Data mining analyst
- Data engineer
- Business intelligence analyst
- IT project manager
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Market research analyst
- Software developer
The Master of Science in Digital Marketing allows you to choose coursework that most closely aligns with your career goals. The online option with flexible scheduling consists of five-week and eight-week courses, allowing you to balance work and family commitments while pursuing your education.
Students will gain a variety of strategic and digital marketing knowledge and skills. This online Marketing degree offers course options including social media marketing, analytics, content marketing, email marketing, database marketing, data visualization, mobile marketing, marketing research, and more. With this online ecommerce degree, you will be prepared to thrive in a new and growing career field.
Computer Science & IT
Earn this online Certificate in GIS from NIU where you can learn the latest technology underlying geographic information. From agribusiness to insurance risk assessment, you’ll learn how to apply geospatial data and mapping to solve business problems and drive decision-making. You can enroll part, or fulltime, depending upon your schedule. Courses that you’ll encounter could involve:
- Earth from Space: Introduction to Remote Sensing
- Soils and Environmental Land Use Planning
- Technological Hazards
Learn to apply data to business decisions and organizational strategy with this online Graduate Certificate in Data Science. At NIU, this program focuses on giving you the insight to recognize data trends derived using the latest tools. You’ll learn from NIU’s top-notched professors who have expertise in research and in the field, as you take classes such as:
- Business Computing Environment
- Advanced Predictive Data Analytics for Business
- Business Applications of Text Mining
Broaden your professional skills, no matter what your industry, with this online Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Analysis. From urban planning and development to agribusiness, you’ll learn how to use geospatial data and apply your knowledge of mapping issues to help lead decision making within your organization. At NIU, you’ll benefit from a flexible curriculum enabling you to enroll part time or full time. Subjects that you’ll likely study include:
- Remote sensing
- Geovisualization
- Geographic Analysis for Public & Environmental Health
Education
A doctorate degree is the highest form of formal education a student or professional can achieve. That means it is a well earned credential in the marketplace, especially in education fields. Northern Illinois University offers a Doctor of Education in Adult and Higher Education, with a special emphasis on Community College Leadership. The higher education focus allows students to engage with young adults and help them network, advance their education and opportunities, and mentor them. There is a week-long session that takes place on campus in Naperville, close to Chicago. That opportunity allows students to engage and develop professionally as they work through their program.
Take control of the direction of educational policy and practice with the high-level expertise you gain in this EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. From local to international, you will have the toolkit necessary to create transformational and lasting change within the education system. Program participants are shaped into leaders with a combination of professional experience, research skills, and knowledge of education theory.
This online doctorate in education leadership is designed for busy, working professionals. Courses are fully synchronous, with classes meeting one night weekly throughout the program.
Become an industry-leading expert in incorporating technology into education with a PhD in Instructional Technology. Coursework in this online program will build on your existing knowledge and experience, focusing on research, competence, and creativity.
Program participants will strive to develop new theoretical constructs for creating or improving instructional technology applications. Graduates can put their expertise to work in fields including education, industry, government, and nonprofits. Designed for working adults, this program can be completed either full-time or part-time in any combination of online, blended, or in-person coursework plus a dissertation.
Current and future college educators will learn ways to meet the needs of diverse students with a Graduate Certificate in Postsecondary Developmental Literacy and Language. This online program can make you a valuable faculty member of college and university learning assistance programs.
Students in this online adult education program will study the various aspects of developmental literacy instruction. Participants will learn how to honor cultural and academic diversity in the classroom. Courses prepare you to create and implement effective, evidence-based instruction.
Topics covered in this online literacy program include:
- Curriculum and program-level design in postsecondary reading
- Teaching postsecondary reading
- Postsecondary reading assessment
- Disciplinary reading instruction at the postsecondary level
Internationally renowned professionals teach this online Master of Science in Art and Design Education degree. The program is designed for students to learn a research-based curriculum in aspects of art education for school districts and educational institutions.
Program participants will learn how to create lesson plans, incorporate technology into learning, and advocate for art education in their school districts and communities.
Graduates of this online art program are prepared for careers such as museum education, art teaching, or integrating technology with art in the classroom. Students have the option to take classes face-to-face or entirely online.
Instructional technology is a booming field in the education arena today. This online Master of Science in Education program focuses on Instructional Technology for students looking to enter an education-related career with skills to set them apart from the crowd.
The coursework of this online master’s in instructional design teaches areas of software design and development, media administration, curriculum evaluation, and performance technology. There are two different pathways students can choose from to better specialize:
- Library Information Specialist
- Technology Specialist
Educational research uses statistics, qualitative data, and processes to assess current education methods and identify improvement areas.
Students in this online master’s in education program will advance their current knowledge in theory and practice of educational assessment, evaluation, and research. Students can choose an area of focus from one of the following:
- Advanced Qualitative Methods
- Assessment
- Program Evaluation
With these focus areas, students can prepare for a more detailed career path and grow professionally.
Engineering
If you’ve finished a technical associate degree and have already started your career, you can advance your education with this online bachelor’s degree in Technology with a focus on Applied Manufacturing Technology. This format makes it convenient and affordable to improve your skills and job prospects.
Geared towards helping you progress into leadership roles and boost your earning potential, the program is designed to accommodate students who work full-time. Throughout the program, you’ll learn about things like managing teams, project management, ensuring quality, safety, and how to design and manage facilities for manufacturing. This online manufacturing engineering bachelor’s degree program helps you advance in your career and make more money in the manufacturing technology field.
The online Master of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering / Engineering Management is a flexible program designed to prepare individuals for leadership roles in a variety of organizations. Its comprehensive curriculum blends engineering, technology, and business courses to enhance skills in project management, risk management, continuous process improvement, and decision analysis.
The program also includes a hands-on capstone project, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world engineering management challenges in collaboration with industry partners. What sets this program apart is the option to specialize in either decision analysis or global logistics. The decision analysis track focuses on refining risk assessment and decision-making skills, while the global logistics track equips students with innovative techniques to address complex global logistics issues.
Students in this online industrial engineering degree will complete courses including:
- Six Sigma Performance Excellence and Modern Problem Solving
- Principles of Management
- Economic Analysis of Engineering Projects
- Financial Accounting Concepts
The Master of Science in Industrial Management is an online program that welcomes individuals without an engineering undergraduate degree, offering an alternative path to earning a master’s degree in management and supervision. This program provides studies in systems management, problem-solving, and team leadership, emphasizing the influence and application of technology on both local and global scales.
The program is structured in two phases. The first phase encompasses required courses, delving into topics like risk management, project management, and research. The second phase offers a range of technical systems management electives, which can be tailored to your professional goals with the guidance of your advisor.
Healthcare
In the health industry, more education leads to more job opportunities and advancement. Northern Illinois University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences completion program allows students to take their previous education and work experience and take more classes in health or human services. Possible career paths include:
- Dental hygienists
- Radiological technologists
- Respiratory therapists
- Physical therapy assistants
- Occupational therapy assistants
- EMTs
The online format covers topics that are important to know in society – from disabilities, allocation of health services, to developing career leadership in patient care.
Advance your career and learn how to better help those in your community with this online Master of Public Health with a specialization in Health Promotion. Learn to design, conduct, and evaluate health promotion educational programs and policies, helping people and communities live healthier lifestyles and prevent disease. All online public health degree students complete courses in such topics as behavioral and social aspects of public health, health services management, and public health policy and law.
Customize your degree not only by choosing the Health Promotion specialization, but also by choosing electives that best meet your career goals. Graduates are ready for careers in local, state, federal, and tribal health departments.
Graduates are prepared for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) Examination and to sit for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination.
Advance your healthcare career with this online Master of Public Health with a specialization in Health Services Management. Learn how to successfully run a health care facility, exploring such aspects of health services management as:
- Costs
- Quality
- Accessibility
- Human resources
- Delivery
All online public health degree students complete courses in the behavioral and social aspects of public health, health services management, public health policy and law, and more. Customize your degree not only by choosing the Health Services Management specialization but also by choosing electives that meet your career goals.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) Examination. If you decide to take the Principles of Long-term Care Administration elective, you will be qualified to sit for the Illinois Nursing Home Administrator License exam.
Advance your career with this health science online degree. Designed for those with a bachelor’s degree in a field related to health sciences, this program prepares students to move into leadership, management, or education roles. Courses focus on such topics as:
- Interdisciplinary communication skills
- Health services quality measurement
- Culturally aware leadership
- Evidence-based analysis
The curriculum also includes research methods, statistics, management, and systems or theory-based courses.
This flexible online health science degree allows you to complete the program at your own pace. Plus, half of the credit hours are comprised of electives, allowing you to customize the degree to meet your interests and career goals.
Nursing
The online RN to B.S. in Nursing from Northern Illinois University is designed to prepare registered nurses for career advancement through continued education. The flexible format is ideal for nurses who want to earn their degree while maintaining a busy work schedule. You can apply up to 33 previously earned nursing credits to finish faster. Study from anywhere and complete your program in as few as 12 months.
This practical, CCNE-accredited program delivers essential skill sets in critical thinking, health assessment, and evidence-based nursing practice. Students learn to provide population-focused health care, improve processes, and deliver the highest quality patient care. You’ll complete a practicum in your community or workplace to gain hands-on training and enhance your previous RN experience. Learn from a faculty of experts and work with a dedicated advisor from admission to graduation.
When you finish NIU’s RN to B.S. in Nursing program, you’ll have a valuable baccalaureate credential and the advanced nursing skills employers are looking for. You’ll be able to apply your knowledge and expertise in a wide range of health care settings like hospitals, residential care facilities, physicians’ offices, and more.