Northern Illinois University College of Business Executive MBA Handbook 2023-2025

Executive MBA Handbook 2023-2025

Welcome!

Dear MBA Students:

Congratulations on beginning your journey with Northern Illinois University’s MBA program. This is an exciting and defining moment in your life. By joining the NIU MBA program, you have decided to make an investment in your future that will have a profound impact for years to come.

An NIU MBA offers an opportunity for professionals to continue to develop skills needed to successfully lead organizations and prepare for Industry 4.0. Just in the last two decades, over half of Fortune 500 firms have been impacted by technological developments and the trend is only likely to accelerate. Graduates from our MBA program will be at the forefront of leading this change.

Throughout this program, the learning experiences will challenge you to reimagine your future as well as the future of work and engagement. You will learn from faculty who are scholars in their fields, engage with business leaders and work with a diverse group of talented peers.

The NIU MBA program has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report MBA rankings, and ranks in the top tier of MBA programs reviewed by CEO Magazine. The NIU College of Business has been ranked for 32-plus consecutive years among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report

NIU’s MBA program is accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This level of accreditation is sought by the best business schools in the country and is reassurance that you are entering a quality, nationally recognized graduate business program where emphasis is placed on the integration of all functions of business and a better appreciation of the social, cultural and international implications.

The future belongs to those who are not only ready for it, but have the talent and creative insights to shape it. As you begin your journey in our MBA program, continue to reflect on your aspirations and remember, your future is without boundaries.

From all of us at the College of Business, welcome to NIU. We look forward to working with you throughout the program.

Sincerely,

Anthony Preston Assistant Dean, Graduate Business Programs

This handbook is designed as a supplement to the information presented in the Graduate Catalog and the Schedule of Classes. In the event of discrepancies, those publications take precedence over this handbook. Therefore, if you have additional questions regarding the policies and procedures highlighted in the Student Handbook, please refer to the 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog and the Schedule of Classes

Anthony Preston.

Vision Statement

To be globally recognized for developing the whole person through experience-centered education, innovation, world-class research and care.

Mission Statement

We develop principled and adaptive global citizens and advance their institutions through knowledge creation, innovation, partner collaboration, personalized experiences and active learning.

Master of Business Administration Learning Competencies

All NIU MBA graduates will:

• Demonstrate business acumen and analytical skills.

• Communicate with impact.

• Assess key leadership skills, traits, styles, processes across various contexts and their own abilities related to each.

• Identify ethical issues and the implications on business, society and individuals.

• Assess global impact on business decisions.

NIU Executive MBA graduates will:

• Evaluate strategies aligned with internal and external conditions to achieve long-term organizational success.

Core Values

• Excellence in learning, teaching, research and service.

• Integrity in how we conduct ourselves in the classroom and beyond.

• Caring in our relationships and how we serve the world.

Assurance of Learning Goals

Learning goals are broad statements that describe what we want our graduates to be or have. Learning objectives describe what our graduates will know or be able to do, in more specific, measurable terms.

NIU College of Business Student Code of Ethics

As a student at Northern Illinois University’s College of Business, I understand that it is my duty to behave in a courteous and ethical manner at all times. The attitudes and habits I develop as a student form the core of my professional behavior. As such, I will set an example of the highest caliber for those who work with me.

To promote these behaviors within the student body, I will use the principles of honesty, respect, integrity and professionalism as my academic and professional guide.

HONESTY:

• Understand the college’s policies on academic conduct, and practice them as a part of my life.

• Honor my personal obligation to be sincere and forthright by dealing fairly and truthfully with others.

RESPECT:

• Embrace the diverse perspectives and accomplishments of others, knowing that it is the personal and cultural variations among people that enrich us individually and as a society.

• Take pride in my college and university by protecting our facilities and their surroundings.

INTEGRITY:

• Maintain my beliefs and values despite changing circumstances and challenging environments.

• Respect my reputation and that of my university by avoiding unethical behaviors and the circumstances that encourage them.

PROFESSIONALISM:

• Maintain the highest standards of performance, conduct, and cooperation with my fellow students, faculty and coworkers.

• Perform my duties with due diligence and make a continuous effort toward improvement.

Written by and for NIU College of Business Students NIU College of Business Student Advisory Board Unanimously Approved Dec. 6, 2004.

General Regulations

Student Responsibility

It is the responsibility of students to know and observe all regulations and procedures relating to the program they are pursuing, as well as those of the university and Graduate School . In no case will a regulation be waived or an exception granted because students plead ignorance of, or contend that they were not informed of, the regulations or procedures. Questions on regulations and their interpretation pertaining to studies at the graduate level should be addressed to the office of the dean of the Graduate School.

Students planning to graduate should familiarize themselves with the dates relating to application for graduation and other pertinent deadlines (see the Graduate School Calendar, copies of which may be obtained from the Graduate School, grad.niu.edu). It is necessary to apply for graduation by the specified deadline in order to graduate in a particular term, regardless if the student plans to attend the commencement ceremonies, if any.

Students must satisfy the degree requirements of the catalog in force during the term for which they have been admitted to and begin coursework in the degree program; or they may, with the consent of their advisors, meet graduation requirements by complying with the degree requirements of a later catalog. Students readmitted to a degree program must meet degree requirements of the catalog in force at the time of the later admission (or of a subsequent catalog, as provided above). Aside from degree requirements, all students are subject to the regulations and policies stated in the catalog currently in force. Exceptions to regulations and requirements contained in the Graduate Catalog require the written approval of the office of the dean of the Graduate School, unless otherwise stated in the catalog.

Graduate students and students-at-large should notify the Graduate School immediately of any change in address so that receipt of mail will not be delayed.

Student Responsibility for Obtaining Current University Information

The university reserves the right to make changes in admission requirements, fees, degree requirements and other specifications set forth in this catalog. Such changes may take precedence over catalog statements. While reasonable effort is made to publicize such changes, students should remain in close touch with departmental advisors and appropriate offices, because responsibility for complying with all applicable requirements ultimately rests with the student. The office of the dean of the Graduate School is the authoritative office for verifying deviations from provisions in this catalog.

Although the university attempts to accommodate the course requests of students, course offerings may be limited by financial, space and staffing considerations or may otherwise be unavailable. Nothing in this catalog may be construed to promise or guarantee registration in any course or course of study (whether required or elective) nor may anything be construed to promise or guarantee the completion of an academic program within a specified length of time.

Advisory System

Each student is assigned by their major department an advisor or advisory committee whose purpose is to guide the student’s studies and recommend them for the degree when the student is properly qualified.

A program of study is formulated by the student in consultation with the departmentally assigned advisor or advisory committee. See “The Program of Study” for details.

Departmental advisors can assist students in understanding and satisfying departmental and university requirements. However, they are not responsible for informing students of published regulations, such as those in this catalog, nor, except as explicitly provided in this catalog, do they have the authority to modify those requirements. See “Student Responsibility” above.

Academic Integrity

Good academic work must be based on honesty. The attempt of any student to present as their own work that which they have not produced is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense. Students are considered to have cheated, for example, if they copy the work of another or use unauthorized notes or other aids during an examination or turn in as their own a paper or an assignment written, in whole or in part, by someone else. Students are guilty of plagiarism, intentional or otherwise, if they copy material from books, magazines or other sources, without identifying and acknowledging those sources or if they paraphrase ideas from such sources without acknowledging them. Students guilty of, or assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz or examination may receive a grade of F for the course involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the university.

A faculty member has original jurisdiction over any instances of academic misconduct that occur in a course which the faculty member is teaching. The student shall be given the opportunity to resolve the matter in meetings with the faculty member and the department chair. If the facts of the incident are not disputed by the student, the faculty member may elect to resolve the matter at that level by levying a sanction no greater than an F for that course. The faculty member shall notify the student in writing whenever such action is taken, and Student Conduct shall receive a copy of the Academic Misconduct Incident Report indicating final disposition of the case, which will be placed in the student’s judicial file. In all matters where the charge of academic misconduct is disputed by the student or if the faculty member feels a sanction greater than an F in the course is appropriate (such as repeated offenses or flagrant violations), the faculty member shall refer the matter to Student

Conduct, making use of the Academic Misconduct Incident Report. Additional sanctions greater than an F in a course can be levied only through the system of due process established and overseen by Student Conduct or through the university’s research misconduct procedures noted below. Suspension or dismissal from the university for academic misconduct will result in a notation of that action on the transcript of a graduate-level student.

The university has adopted additional policies and procedures for dealing with research misconduct among its students, faculty and staff. The guidelines, entitled Research Integrity at Northern Illinois University, are available in department offices, in the office of the dean of the Graduate School, and online at go.niu.edu/research-integrity, and pertain to the intentional commission of any of the following acts: falsification of data, improper assignment of authorship, claiming another person’s work as one’s own, unprofessional manipulation of experiments or of research procedures and misappropriation of research funds.

If a graduate student fails to maintain the standards of academic or professional integrity expected in their discipline or program, the student’s admission to the program may be terminated on recommendation of the student’s major department. A statement on students’ rights to the products of research is available in department offices, in the office of the dean of the Graduate School, and online as intellectual property policy at niu.edu/provost2/facpers/appm/I11.shtml

Source: 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

go.niu.edu/catalog-grad

Academic Department Contacts

College of Business

cob.niu.edu

Office of the Dean

Denise Schoenbachler, Interim Dean 815-753-1755 or busdean@niu.edu

Daewoo Park, Associate Dean 815-753-1246 or dpark2@niu.edu

Office of MBA Programs go.niu.edu/mba

College of Business Barsema Hall 203 DeKalb, IL 60115 Toll free: 1-866-NIU-MBA1 (648-6221) Phone: 815-753-1245

Fax: 815-753-3300

Anthony Preston, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs 815-753-6177; apreston@niu.edu

Burim Ramadani, Director of Operations and Student Services 815-753-0257; bramadani@niu.edu

Tanya Galer, Program Manager and Recruitment Specialist 815-753-1264; tgaler@niu.edu

Mark Mourlas, Marketing Director 815-753-1117; mmourlas@niu.edu

Bennett Piscopo, Graduate Student Experience and Engagement Coordinator 815-753-1020; bpiscopo@niu.edu

Department of Accountancy

Contact Accountancy at 815-753-1637.

Brad Cripe, Chair 815-753-1250 or bcripe@niu.edu

Steven Kispert, MAS/MAC Advisor 815-753-3599 or skispert@niu.edu

Suzanne Youngberg, MST Advisor 815-753-1637 or youngberg@niu.edu

Department of Finance

Contact Finance at 815-753-1114.

Gina Nicolosi, Chair 815-753-6391 or gnicolos@niu.edu

Chenfang Su, Academic Advisor 815-753-1115 or csu2@niu.edu

Department of Management

Contact Management at: 815-753-1124.

Jon Briscoe, Chair 815-753-6305 or jonbriscoe@niu.edu

Department of Marketing

Contact Marketing at: 815-753-1714.

Vijaykumar Krishnan Palghat, Chair 815-753-6218 or vkrishnanpalghat@niu.edu

Jaclyn Crawford, Director, MSDM Program 815-753-6221 or jaclyn.crawford@niu.edu

Department of Operations Management and Information Systems

Contact OMIS at: 815-753-1285.

Charles Petersen, Chair 815-753-1454 or cpetersen@niu.edu

Russ Deveraux, MIS/MSDA Academic Advisor 815-753-6372 or rdeveraux2@niu.edu

The Graduate School

grad.niu.edu

Office of the Dean

Kerry Wilks, Ph.D. Dean and Associate Vice President of International Affairs

815-753-9402 or kwilks@niu.edu

Domestic Admissions Staff

Initial application processing:

Anne Arne, 815-753-4900 or aarne@niu.edu

For questions about the status of domestic degreeseeking or nondegree-seeking applications:

Anne Arne, 815-753-4900 or aarne@niu.edu

International Admissions Staff

For questions about international academic credentials:

Erin Corwin-Surwillo

815-753-9410 or internationalgrads@niu.edu

Graduate School - Enrolled Student Staff

Enrolled students with questions about degree-completion requirements and schedule/grade changes should contact the following individual:

Christine Holloway, 815-753-9409 or cholloway@niu.edu

For questions regarding schedule and grade changes, and probation/dismissal issues:

Theresa La Rocco, 815-753-9411 or tlarocco@niu.edu

Christine Holloway 815-753-9409 or cholloway@niu.edu

NIU Education Centers

NIU-Motorola Campus

2000 Progress Pkwy. Schaumburg, IL 60196

NIU-Naperville

niu.edu/locations/naperville

1120 E. Diehl Road

Naperville, IL 60563 630-577-9101

NIU-Chicago

niu.edu/locations/chicago

222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza

Chicago, IL 60564

NIU Student Support Offices

International Student and Scholar Services Office

niu.edu/isfo

815-753-1346 or isfo@niu.edu

Military Student and Veteran Benefits and Counseling

niu.edu/mptss

815-753-0691 or mss@niu.edu

Office of the Bursar

niu.edu/bursar

815-753-1885 or bursar@niu.edu

Includes current tuition estimator.

Office of Financial Aid

niu.edu/fa

815-753-1395 or finaid@niu.edu

Registration and Records

reg.niu.edu/regrec

815-753-0681 or regrec@niu.edu

Technology Resources for Students

niu.edu/doit/services or go to Quick Links at niu.edu

AccountID and Password

• Z-ID and Password

Change/reset your password at password.niu.edu

AnywhereApps: Course software on any device (Quick Links)

• Using AnywhereApps

• Log in: anywhereapps.niu.edu

AnywhereFiles: access 5GB file storage from anywhere

• Using AnywhereFiles

• Log in: anywherefiles.niu.edu

AnywherePrints: pick up print jobs from any public printer

• Install AnywherePrints

• AnywherePrinter locations

Blackboard (Quick Links)

• Blackboard for Students

• Log in: webcourses.niu.edu

Technology Labs (Quick Links)

• Technology Lab Locations and Hours

E-Mail

• Log in: o365.niu.edu

• Student email is Office 365/Exchange Server

Help

• Knowledge Base: it.niu.edu

Search IT

• By phone: Service Desk

• In person: Technology Support Desk

• Self-service portal: it.niu.edu

MyNIU (Quick Links)

• Using MyNIU Student Center.

• Log in: myniu.niu.edu

Office 365 – Email (Quick Links)

• All the features of Office 365 on all your devices.

• Log in: O365.niu.edu

VPN/AnyConnect: Secure connection to NIU from off campus

• Using AnyConnect

• Log in: secure.niu.edu

Getting Started

MyNIU: myniu.niu.edu

MyNIU is your student account and you will want to familiarize yourself with this system. Benefits of your MyNIU account:

• Accepting your admission to your MBA program.

• Viewing financial record.

• Paying your bill.

• Printing information that you may need for tuition reimbursement.

• Viewing financial aid information.

• Updating your personal information.

• Viewing your grades.

• Viewing your Degree Progress Report.

• Applying for graduation.

How to access your MyNIU account

You will need to look up your Z-ID number and password by going to the A-Z index and selecting Z for Z-ID and follow the prompts to look up your Z-ID number and your temporary password.

All students (including prospective and admitted) are given an initial password based on birthdate in YYYYMmmDD format. It allows only three logins.

• Mmm is the first three characters of the month.

• Example: January 1, 1993 = 1993Jan01

For additional information and training on MyNIU, please visit the MyNIU training website at niu.edu/doit/training/myniu/student-center.shtml .

How to access your NIU e-mail account

o365.niu.edu

You need to check your NIU e-mail on a regular basis. To forward you email to another email, follow directions at this site: doit.niu.edu/doit/services/messaging

How to access Blackboard

Within 48 hours after registering for a course, you will have access to the MBA Blackboard site. Go to niu.edu and click on QUICK LINKS in the upper right corner next to the A-Z index to access the Blackboard site.

NIU OneCard

Sign up for your OneCard here: niu.edu/onecard

For assistance, please call the NIU Tech Services Help Desk at 815-753-8100 or email servicedesk@niu.edu

How to view the Graduate Catalog and Course

Descriptions

Go to the A-Z index and select G for Graduate Catalog. Here you will see the entire Graduate Catalog. You will find the General Regulations section and College of Business section very helpful. In the College of Business section, you will be able to select Master of Business Administration and you will want to review the information provided here. Website: catalog.niu.edu . Select the 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog.

You may view course descriptions by going to the Graduate Catalog and selecting the College of Business section. You will need to scroll down and you’ll notice under each department you may display courses for the department. You are then able to click on the course you are interested in and obtain a course description. Course descriptions are also available in this handbook.

How to find information on financial aid and loans? For information on financial aid, go to our A-Z index and select F for Financial Aid . In advance, if you do qualify for financial aid, you will need to take a minimum of 4.5 graduate credit hours in a fall or spring semester to be considered a half-time student. Website: niu.edu/fa

How to find out if there is a campus closure (usually due to weather)

The NIU weather status hotline offers both local and toll-free long distance numbers to access the system. You may dial 888-464-8673. You may also check the NIU webpage for updates pertaining to cancellation of class due to inclement weather. Go to the A-Z index and under Weather select Closing Information . Do not call our office for information on closures. Please call the number mentioned above or visit the website also noted above. Website: niu.edu/emergencyinfo/weather

Executive MBA 2023-2025

Advising

The Program of Courses lists which courses you have completed (or were waived) and which courses you need to complete to earn your degree. As you complete courses, you should fill out this form to keep a current record of your coursework. You are also able to view your progress by running a Degree Progress Report in your MyNIU account. Each semester, we encourage you to discuss your schedule options prior to enrolling in your courses. Advising may be via email or over the phone with bramadani@niu.edu or 815-753-0257. If you need to talk to your academic counselor personally, at our NIU Naperville location by appointment, please contact bramadani@niu.edu to request an appointment.

Textbooks

Textbooks are included in the cost of tuition and will be delivered to your class for the Executive MBA program.

Program Requirements

UBUS 611 Integrated Business Foundations (8)

ACCY 640 Financial Statements Analysis (3)

FINA 607 Financial Analysis (3)

MGMT 635 Management of Individuals, Teams, and Organizations (3)

MGMT 672 Strategic Management and Policy (3)

MKTG 654 Marketing Management (3)

OMIS 680 Global Supply Chain Management (3)

OMIS 697 Digital Transformation Strategy (3)

MGMT 615 Managerial Leadership (3)

MGMT 655 Change Management (3)

MGMT 647 International Management (3)

UBUS 677 Strategic Business Transformation Project (3)

Total: 44 semester hours

Course Descriptions

UBUS 611 — Integrated Business Foundations

Designed to give students master’s degree-level competence in the functions of accountancy, marketing, finance and operations management and information systems. Provides the foundation for the curriculum of the Executive MBA format. Course material will be presented in a crossdisciplinary manner which begins to explore the ways in which the different business functions interact and integrate to determine organizationallevel performance.

Credits: 8

MGMT 635 — Managing Individuals, Teams and Organizations

Identifying, understanding and managing individual and group behavior in organizational settings. Topics include motivation, teamwork, culture, leadership and other concepts that influence individual, group and organizational effectiveness.

Credits: 3

OMIS 680 — Global Supply Chain Management

Examination of concepts, issues and methodologies related to design and administration of supply chain systems. Emphasis on executive-level decision-making and the impact of supply chain management on organizational performance. Includes supply chain strategy, strategic alliances, supplier and customer relationships, use of technology, and the integration of logistical operations in the attainment of organizational objectives in a global competitive environment.

Credits: 3

FINA 607 — Financial Analysis

Analysis of current and future financial position that serves as the foundation for decision-making by creditors, managers and owners. Includes ratio analysis, sources and uses of funds, operating and financial leverage, capital budgeting under risk and uncertainty, the cost of capital, and the financial structure. A problem-oriented course, but cases and readings may be utilized. Credits: 3

MKTG 654 — Marketing Management

Analysis of the strategic marketing problems confronting managers in the evaluation of marketing opportunities, selection of target markets, development of marketing strategies, planning of marketing tactics, and implementation and control of the marketing effort. Credits: 3

OMIS 697 — Digital Transformation Strategy

Study of issues related to the digital transformation of modern organizations. Emphasis on strategic thinking and alignment of information technology with business objectives. Models and techniques of strategic information management illustrated through case studies. Credits: 3

MGMT 672 — Strategic Management and Policy

Capstone course to develop strategic thinking skills necessary to identify strategic issues, analyze key internal and external factors influencing firm performance, develop strategic alternatives, and identify critical implementation issues. Integrates functional knowledge, behavioral and ethical concepts, and analytical tools for effective formulation and implementation of strategies and policies. Must be taken in final semester or last nine semester hours of master’s program. Credits: 3

ACCY 640 — Financial Statements Analysis

Analysis and interpretation of financial reports with particular reference to the construction of statements, the meaning of accounts, ratios and other evaluating indices. Credits: 3

MGMT 615 — Managerial Leadership

Examination of classic and emerging leadership theory, with an emphasis upon meeting the challenges and opportunities of effective leadership. An accompanying focus is the identification of individual leadership skills and limitations, as well as the development of new skills and strategies. Credits: 3

MGMT 647 — International Management

Identifying, understanding and managing the cultural components of organizational and business dynamics present in global business enterprises. Focus on strategic issues involved in international expansion, international competition, international organizational relationships and international human resource utilization. Credits: 3

MGMT 655 — Leading Change

Study of approaches and responses to various types of change, effective use of diagnostic tools, evaluation of intervention strategies, and individual and organizational factors that create support for or resistance to change. Credits: 3

UBUS 585 — Business Consulting Project

Supervised student team projects conducted with selected business organizations. Emphasis on collaborative efforts among students, faculty, and business representatives in a project management setting and the delivery of cross-functional business solutions. Implications for further research are also considered. Credits: 3

UBUS 677 — Stategic Business Transformation Project

Study of approaches and responses to various types of change, effective use of diagnostic tools, evaluation of intervention strategies, and individual and organizational factors that create support for or resistance to change. Credits: 3

NIU Graduate School Policies

Grading System

The Graduate School grading system applies to all graduate students taking courses for graduate credit. The graduate grade point average (GPA) is computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours that a student has taken in NIU courses earning grade points. In no case are NIU courses taken for undergraduate or law credit or transfer courses included in the computation of the graduate GPA. Grades and their grade point values are as follows.

Other transcript entries, with their definition, include the following.

I–Incomplete (see also following section on “Incompletes”)

IP–In Progress

WP–Passing at time of withdrawal

WF–Failing at time of withdrawal

O–Audit; no grade and no credit

Students doing less than satisfactory work will be assigned the grade of C-, D, F or U. Graduate credit is given only for those courses in which a grade of S or C or better, is earned. A grade of S indicates that the student has performed at a level equivalent to at least a B.

Academic Good Standing

MBA students must maintain a 3.0 or better overall graduate grade point average and a minimum 3.0 grade point average for Phase Two courses.

Grades for Phase One corresponding equivalents completed at another school and transfer credit for Phase Two course will not be included in the NIU GPA calculations. If your GPA drops below 3.0, you will be placed on academic probation with opportunity within the next 9 semester credit hours to improve your GPA to 3.0 or better to regain academic good standing. Please contact your advisor immediately to discuss your options and prepare plan for successful degree completion.

Please note that a grade of I = “Incomplete” will automatically become a grade of “F” if the course requirements are not satisfied within 120 days from the last day of the course term.

A graduate-level student who has accumulated 6 or more semester hours of grades of C-, D, F, U or WF in graduate coursework at NIU will be academically dismissed from the Graduate School, regardless of the student’s GPA. If a course is repeated, whether under the special repeat option or otherwise, the grades in both attempts will be considered in determining whether this 6-semester-hour total has been reached.

Phase Two Time Limitation

You have six consecutive years in which to complete your program once you have enrolled in a Phase Two course (at NIU or elsewhere). Transfer courses falling outside the limitation of time may not be used in a graduate program. Please be aware that the student must demonstrate currency by examination if the NIU course taken to complete the requirements for Phase Two does not fall within the consecutive six-year period allowed for the degree; otherwise, another course must be completed in lieu of the expired course.

Phase Two Time Limitation Chart

Degree Progress Report

The degree progress report is a listing of those courses you are required to take as part of your graduate program in business and must conform with the requirements of your major. A copy of the courses you need to complete your MBA degree was sent in your admission packet from the MBA Office. You are able to view your degree progress report through your MyNIU account.

Regardless of major, please discuss your intended course of study with your academic advisor no later than the first term of enrollment. It is particularly important to do this if you expect to use transfer coursework in Phase Two. (See section on “Transferability of Phase II Coursework” for additional information.)

You are able to view your degree progress report through your MyNIU account. In the Self-Service Center of your MyNIU account, open the “Academic Progress” tile.

Your degree progress report is considered to be “official” when it has been approved by your MBA advisor and the Graduate School. Following Graduate School approval, they will e-mail you a letter to your NIU student account for your reference. Any subsequent changes to an approved degree progress report must be made in consultation with your advisor and must also be submitted to and approved by the Graduate School.

Quarter-to-Semester-Hour Conversion

NIU is on a semester-hour system; whereas some universities are on a quarter-hour system. If you plan to use transfer work, it is important to note that this difference can be critical when computing the total number of hours required to graduate (see “Conversion Table”). Please note that the Graduate School does not round hours; thus, a four-quarter-hour course will transfer in as 2 2/3 semester hours. If transferability of coursework is an issue in your case, please talk with your advisor regarding the number of semester hours in Phase Two which are required to graduate in your program.

Deferring Admission (What to do if you’re unable to attend the term you were admitted for.)

If you plan to defer your admission, you may do so for up to one year beyond your initial term of acceptance. For example, if you are admitted for the fall 2019 term, you can start as late as fall 2020 without reapplying. However, you must request deferral prior to the end of the academic term for which admission has been granted. To defer your admission, go to the Graduate School website, select Student Resources, look for Student Forms and complete the Deferral of Admission form.

Graduation

When you are close to completing your MBA degree, you need to apply for graduation and submit the graduation fee. Students are able to apply for graduation and pay the graduation application fee through their MyNIU account.

The MBA Program will make many announcements about graduation application deadlines through Blackboard. Students may view graduation application deadlines at the Graduate School website at grad.niu.edu , select Student Resources for Graduation Information: niu.edu/grad/graduation

MBA candidates should apply for the term of graduation in which they will complete all of their coursework. If a student has not completed their coursework and would like to participate in the May or December graduation ceremonies, the candidate must email the Graduate School at gradsch@niu.edu to request permission to participate in the May or December graduation ceremonies.

The graduation application does not roll over to the next term. The MBA candidate must submit a graduation deferral form which is located at go.niu.edu/GRGraduationDeferment

Cross career boundaries to great leadership opportunities. go.niu.edu/mba