Advising

Undergraduate Advising

You'll engage with professional academic advisors to navigate your educational and professional goals. Freshmen are advised through the Academic Advising Center. Contact the center to meet your advisor and create your plan for career success.

Once you have completed 24 credit hours, advising is offered in the College of Education, where advisors are aligned to our undergraduate degree programs. Specializing in the areas of early childhood studies, elementary education, middle level teaching and learning, kinesiology, physical education, special education and sport management, our advisors work with you to:

• Explore and strive for academic and career goals
• Develop a plan guiding you to degree completion
• Effectively use campus resources
• Complete paperwork and logistical items needed for degree progress

What to Expect from Your Advisor

Your advisor will:

• Be accessible to you for questions and concerns
• Monitor your academic progress and help you understand university policies/procedures, general education requirements and your program curriculum
• Help you develop skills needed to create realistic and attainable educational plans
• Encourage and guide you in the process of defining, developing and attaining academic and career-related goals
• Encourage your ability to think critically, solve problems and make informed decisions about your life plans
• Connect you with campus resources and services to enhance your academic performance and college experience
• Foster collaborative partnerships between faculty, staff and other students
• Promote ethical conduct and maintain confidentiality

How to Make an Appointment with Your Advisor

To find your advisor, log in to MyNIU and view the My Advisor information. You can make an appointment with your advisor through the Navigate system:

1. Log in to Navigate Student on the app or the web at go.niu.edu/navigate. Use your Z-ID and password. For assistance, contact 815-753-8100 or ServiceDesk@niu.edu.
2. Click on Appointment in the navigation menu. On the Appointments page, select who you would like to meet with, then select a service (e.g., Session – 60 minutes, Session – 30 minutes). 
3. Select a date and press Find Available Time. From the list of dates, you will see available times displayed in oval icons. Select a time. 
4. Review the information on the Review Appointment Details and Confirm page. Select how you would like to meet from the drop-down menu (i.e., in person, virtual). Provide any additional information in the text box.
5. Click the boxes to sign up for appointment reminders and click Schedule.