Organizer Information
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university located in DeKalb, Illinois, United States. Its academic structure includes the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the School of Art and Design, which offer undergraduate and graduate study in studio art, design, art history, and visual arts education. The university also provides graduate programs in theatre and dance, music, and other disciplines.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Northern Illinois University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, certificates
- Degrees Offered: BA, BS, BFA, MA, MS, MFA, PhD, BSEd
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Design, Photography, Visual Arts Education, Theatre, Dance, Music, Media
- Relevant Programs: BFA in Art Studio and Design; BA/BS in Art; BA in Art History and Visual Studies; MS in Visual Arts Education; MFA in Art and Design; PhD in Visual Arts Education
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Multiple entry terms; deadlines depend on study level and applicant category
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate international applicants outside the United States — 1 May for fall and 1 October for spring
- Start of Studies: Fall (August), spring (January); summer options are restricted for international students requiring a student visa
- Application Fee: Undergraduate: $0; graduate degree-seeking: $60
- Tuition: Undergraduate international students: $11,010.78 per full-time semester at the standard rate; graduate tuition varies by program
- Funding: Scholarships, financial aid, graduate assistantships, and other awards, subject to eligibility.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
NIU offers programs across the visual and performing arts. Relevant areas include:
- Studio Art and Design: Ceramics, drawing, fiber, illustration, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, time arts, and visual communication.
- Art History: Art history and visual studies.
- Art Education: Art and design education and visual arts education.
- Graduate Art Studies: Studio art, art history, art and design, and teaching at the two-year college level.
- Performing Arts: Theatre studies, acting, design and technology, dance performance, and music.
The BFA in Art Studio and Design includes specialized studio concentrations. The BA and BS in Art offer broader interdisciplinary study, with differences in their general academic emphasis. Program-specific admission requirements and available concentrations should be checked before applying.
General Eligibility
- NIU accepts domestic and international applicants. Undergraduate applicants may apply as first-year, transfer, returning, visiting, or post-baccalaureate students, depending on their educational history.
- Graduate applicants must meet the Graduate School's baseline admission requirements and any additional requirements established by their intended academic program. International applicants must submit the required academic documentation and satisfy applicable English-language and immigration requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for their applicant category. Transfer applicants are assessed under the university's transfer-admission policies.
- For graduate admission, NIU generally requires a completed four-year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or an institution with equivalent international recognition. The Graduate School lists a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, although individual programs may establish additional requirements.
Program-specific requirements include:
- MA/MFA in Studio Art and Design/Media Arts: Official college transcripts, portfolio, artist statement, statement of purpose/goals, résumé, and three recommendation letters.
- MA in Art History and Visual Studies: Official college transcripts, statement of purpose/goals, résumé/CV, three academic recommendation letters, and a writing sample of approximately 10 pages.
- MS in Art and Design Education: Official college transcripts, candidate statement of professional goals, résumé/CV, writing sample, and three professional recommendation letters. Applicants seeking educator licensure must also submit a portfolio, subject to the program's stated exception.
Language Requirements
English proficiency requirements differ by study level.
Undergraduate international applicants may demonstrate proficiency through one of the following accepted options:
- IELTS Academic: minimum overall band score of 6.0.
- TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 71 under the applicable scoring scale.
- PTE Academic: minimum overall score of 48.
- Duolingo English Test: minimum overall score of 105.
- Other officially accepted qualifications or exemptions, including certain English-language educational credentials.
Graduate international applicants must generally meet one of these minimums:
- IELTS: 6.5.
- TOEFL: 80.
- PTE Academic: 53.
- Duolingo English Test: 115.
- ELS English for Academic Purposes Level 112.
Graduate applicants who have completed or will complete a qualifying degree in an eligible country may be exempt from TOEFL or IELTS requirements under NIU's policy. Additional program-specific entrance requirements may apply.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate applicants | $0 |
| Graduate degree-seeking applicants | $60 |
| Graduate students-at-large | $10 |
| Applicants to select graduate programs using the CAS application | $25 |
The listed graduate application-fee exemptions include McNair Scholars, individuals who received a GRE or GMAT fee reduction or waiver, and qualifying veterans under the Illinois Veterans' Grant program.
Tuition
| Study level/category | Tuition | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, international, standard rate | $11,010.78 | Per full-time semester (12+ credit hours) |
| Undergraduate, domestic, standard rate | $5,505.39 | Per full-time semester (12+ credit hours) |
| Graduate | Varies by program | Per credit hour; program-specific rates apply |
- Undergraduate figures are for the 2026–2027 academic year. Graduate rates are published separately by program and applicant residency status.
- Additional charges may include the general fee, academic program enhancement fee, and student health insurance. For undergraduate DeKalb-campus courses, the published general fee is $109.59 per credit hour. The academic program enhancement fee is $125 per term for students taking six or fewer credit hours and $270 for seven or more. Student health insurance is listed at $1,419.50 per term for students taking nine or more credit hours, for fall and spring. Eligible students may apply to waive insurance when they meet the university's requirements. Program-specific tuition differentials and other charges may apply.
Funding & Financial Support
NIU offers institutional scholarships and other financial support, with eligibility determined by award conditions.
- International freshman merit scholarship: $5,000–$9,000 per academic year for eligible incoming international freshmen with a minimum NIU-calculated GPA of 3.5/4.0.
- International transfer merit scholarship: $5,000 per academic year for eligible international transfer students with a minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0.
- International housing scholarship: $2,000 per year toward on-campus room costs for eligible students with a minimum GPA of 2.75/4.0 who meet the residence requirement.
- Art and Design scholarships: Limited full and partial tuition scholarships are available to eligible incoming freshmen, transfer students, and continuing students.
- Graduate assistantships: Applicants to relevant graduate programs may seek assistantships through the applicable academic department.
International students are not eligible to submit the FAFSA or the Illinois Alternative Application for state financial aid. Scholarship eligibility does not guarantee an award.
University Services & Academic Support
- The School of Art and Design provides students enrolled in relevant classes with access to studio spaces, computer labs, smart classrooms, and the Visual Resource Center. Facilities include digital fabrication equipment, 3D printing, laser cutting, printmaking resources, and specialized studio spaces.
- Academic advising, faculty mentorship, research resources, and scholarship guidance are available through relevant university offices and academic units. Access to individual facilities depends on enrollment and applicable program or facility rules.
Application Requirements
Requirements depend on the intended degree and applicant category.
Undergraduate applicants: Submit the application and required academic records. International applicants must also provide the documentation required to establish academic eligibility and English proficiency, unless an approved exemption applies.
Graduate applicants: The general application requires a bachelor's degree, a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale, unofficial transcripts, and proof of English proficiency when applicable. Programs may require additional materials.
For the School of Art and Design:
- MA/MFA in Studio Art and Design/Media Arts: Three recommendation letters, official college transcripts, statement of purpose/goals, portfolio, artist statement, and résumé.
- MA in Art History and Visual Studies: Three academic recommendation letters, official college transcripts, statement of purpose/goals, approximately 10-page writing sample, and CV/résumé.
- MS in Art and Design Education: Three professional recommendation letters, official college transcripts, candidate statement of professional goals, writing sample, and CV/résumé. An application portfolio is required for applicants seeking educator licensure, subject to the stated exception.
The GRE is not required for the MA/MFA in Studio or Design or for the MS in Art and Design Education.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate international applicants outside the United States
- Fall application document deadline: 1 May
- Spring application document deadline: 1 October
- Summer document deadline for eligible applicants: 15 May
General undergraduate application timeline
- Fall application opens: 1 August
- Fall review deadline: 15 July
- Fall general deadline: 1 August
- Fall confirmation deadline: 15 August
- Spring application opens: 1 May
- Spring review deadline: 15 November
- Spring general deadline: 1 December
- Spring confirmation deadline: 15 December
- Summer review deadline: 1 May
- Summer general deadline: 15 May
- Summer confirmation deadline: 30 May
School of Art and Design graduate deadlines
- MA/MFA in Studio Art and Design/Media Arts — fall assistantship priority deadline: 1 February
- MA/MFA in Studio Art and Design/Media Arts — fall admission deadline: 1 April
- MA in Art History and Visual Studies — fall assistantship priority deadline: 1 February
- MA in Art History and Visual Studies — spring admission deadline: 15 August
- MS in Art and Design Education — fall assistantship priority deadline: 1 March
- MS in Art and Design Education — spring assistantship priority deadline: 1 November
Location
Northern Illinois University — DeKalb, Illinois, United States
Additional Details
- International applicants who require an F-1 student visa must provide proof of financial ability after receiving an admission decision to obtain their immigration documents. NIU advises international applicants to apply early enough to allow visa processing.
- International students seeking a student visa cannot use the summer term for regular study under the university's published undergraduate international-admissions policy. Online study from abroad and certain visiting-student arrangements have separate conditions.
- For graduate study, the Graduate School's baseline requirements do not replace program-specific admission criteria. Applicants should confirm the current requirements for their intended degree, particularly where portfolios, writing samples, recommendations, or assistantship applications are involved.