Four Public Health Programs Available at NIU
Northern Illinois University appears in our ranking of the 10 Best MPH Programs Not Requiring GRE.
At Wirtz Hall, the School of Health Studies offers a 120-credit B.S. in Public Health for Northern Illinois University Huskies to specialize in Health Administration, Environment and Health, or Health Promotion emphases for CHES certification with 360 practicum hours at 100+ clinical partners. Chaired by Prof. Beth Squires, the Accelerated B.S. to M.P.H. provides a 150-credit, five-year dual curriculum for high-achieving seniors to begin taking 600-level courses like Biostatistics and Community Health Planning early. Founded in 1997, the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) follows a 42-credit, CEPH-accredited path in DeKalb or online on Blackboard with 300+ internship hours for two tracks: Health Promotion or Health Services Management. There’s also a 16-credit Graduate Public Health Certificate.
About Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University originated on May 22, 1895, when Governor John P. Altgeld signed legislation to found the Northern Illinois State Normal School. In 1917, the Illinois Senate created a Board of Trustees to oversee the Prairie State’s five normal schools. In 1921, it became Northern Illinois State Teachers College as four-year education began. Three decades later, NISTC established its Graduate School for the first Master of Education degree. On July 1, 1955, the curriculum was expanded to the liberal arts at Northern Illinois State College. Two years after, the 70th Illinois General Assembly adopted the Northern Illinois University name. In 1963, NIU notably opened the Center for Southeast Asian Studies. In 1975, Northern Illinois launched its award-winning College of Law. In 1997, Northern Illinois University joined the Mid-American Conference for NCAA Division I sports. In 2018, NIU partnered with Northwestern Medicine for health services.
Endowed for $85.7 million, Northern Illinois University now employs 1,128 faculty training 12,788 undergrad and 4,381 post-grad Huskies from 103 countries on its 756-acre DeKalb campus, at four extensions, or online with 300+ clubs like the Student Health Organization. In 2017, NIU received the Online Learning Consortium Effective Practice Award. In 2018, Northern Illinois won the LAP Warren Wolfson Excellence in Education Award. Northern Illinois University accepted the 2015 IAM Award of Excellence too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked NIU the 138th best public health school and 200th top social mobility performer. On Niche, NIU boasts America’s 149th top athletics program and 239th best Greek life. Forbes named Northern Illinois University the 246th top research institution. Bloomberg placed NIU 24th for sustainability. Washington Monthly picked Northern Illinois 248th nationally.
Northern Illinois University Accreditation Details
On July 8, 2014, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council sent formal notification to Northern Illinois University that the Level VI accreditation status was extended to the next 2023-24 cycle under President Douglas Baker, Ph.D., who earned the Shell Oil Distinguished Teaching Award. Located 66 miles east via Interstate 88 in Chicago, this huge 19-state Heartland Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department to evaluate NIU’s 71 baccalaureate, 57 master’s, and 24 doctoral offerings. Further, the Public Health Department was accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in Fall 2015.
Northern Illinois University Application Requirements
Enrollment at Northern Illinois University is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 7,588 of the 15,693 Fall 2018 applicants were selected for 48 percent acceptance. First-year Huskies fetching the B.S. in Public Health must finish a satisfactory college-prep curriculum. Four English, three math, three science, and three history units are recommended. Cumulative GPAs of 2.50 and higher are strongly preferred. Starting in Fall 2021, admission will be test-blind for GPAs above 3.0. Current freshmen need at least 19 ACT or 990 SAT scores. The Class of 2022 reported an average 3.34 GPA, 1110 SAT, and 23 ACT mark. The Honors Program mandates a minimum 3.20 GPA. Public Health Department transfers need 24 semester or 36 quarter credits with GPAs over 2.0 from accredited colleges. Foreign undergrads must verify 71 TOEFL iBT, 6.0 IELTS, or better scores. The Accelerated B.S. to M.P.H. only admits seniors with 92 prerequisite credits and “B” averages. Master of Public Health candidates need a 3.0 or higher GPA during a four-year bachelor’s completion. Two years of relevant experience in health settings are suggested.
Northern Illinois University has U.S. undergrad deadlines of August 1st for Fall, December 1st for Spring, and May 15th for Summer. International B.S. in Public Health majors must file by June 15th or November 15th. Scholarship priority dates are December 1st and October 1st. The Accelerated B.S. to M.P.H. has a July 15th deadline. Master of Public Health cohorts need to apply before August 15th, December 13th, or June 1st. Non-U.S. graduates are welcome until May 1st and October 1st. Accordingly, complete the NIU Application online for $40 ($60 if graduate). Send official transcripts to 1425 West Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, IL 60115. Forward optional test results using ACT code 1102 or SAT/TOEFL code 1559. Submit supplemental materials, such as the statement of purpose, resume, two references, and writing sample. Contact (815) 753-0446 or admissions@niu.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2020-21, Northern Illinois University is billing domestic B.S. in Public Health majors $4,732 each term. International bachelor’s tuition is $9,465 by semester. Studying part-time incurs $348 to $697 per credit respectively. Undergrads cover the $91 general fee and $250 academic enhancement fee every term. If needed, medical insurance premiums are $1,131 each semester. Living at the DeKalb campus’ dorms like Neptune Hall adds $4,954 to $6,969 for term room and board. NIU budgets $1,400 for books and $2,090 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equals $28,980 on-site or $19,062 at home. The Graduate School is charging $492 per credit domestically and $849 per credit globally. Online Master of Public Health cohorts spend $692 per credit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Swen Parson Hall Room 245 links 95 percent of new full-time NIU Huskies to tuition assistance averaging $9,959 each for $16.49 million combined. University funds include the Audrael Tremblay Chiricotti Scholarship, Rosebud Foundation Scholarship, Izzo-Inge Family Award, Deloris Gregory Pourchot Scholarship, Earl & Cindi Rachowicz Scholarship, Roxanne Isenhart Scholarship, Jan Half Scholarship, Burns Family Angel Touch Scholarship, Frances Rowe Katz Award, Sigma Phi Epsilon Scholarship, Mercedes de Martinez Memorial Scholarship, Carter Opportunity Scholarship, and Kovacevich Distinguished Scholarship. The Presidential Scholarship awards full tuition to outstanding freshmen with minimum 33 ACT and 1450 SAT scores. The $3,000 Star Scholarship assists City Colleges of Chicago graduates with GPAs above 3.0 who pursue bachelor’s degrees. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Graduate Plus Loan, require FAFSA applications coded 001737. Illinoisans also utilize the Monetary Award Program, Veteran Grant, Horatio Alger Scholarship, La Voz Latina Scholarship, IPHA Scholarship, Edith Heide Memorial Scholarship, and more.
Keep reading about Northern Illinois University at the Public Health Department website.