Graduation

What do I need to do in order to graduate?

• Besides finishing your major and all other NEIU course requirements, you need to file for graduation. Read on below for more details!

When do I file for graduation?

• Here are the filing deadlines, which differ depending on in which semester you wish to graduate:

  • MAY (SPRING) GRADUATION: file by September 15

  • AUGUST (SUMMER) GRADUATION: file by January 15

  • DECEMBER (FALL) GRADUATION: file by May 15

• Missed your deadline? Don't worry -- NEIU often accepts late graduation applications! But if you can plan in advance, it's safest to file for graduation by the posted deadline. 

How do I file for graduation?

• STEP 1: Meet with your faculty advisor, and ask them to fill out an "Academic Course Record" (ACR) form -- one for each major and minor that you have.

  • NOTE: If your only majors and minors are in the Justice Studies Department, you'll only need to meet with your assigned Justice Studies faculty advisor to complete the ACR forms. However, if you also have a major or minor in a different departmet, please meet with your faculty advisor from that department as well, and ask them to complete ACR forms for your majors/minors in their department.

• STEP 2: Complete the Undergraduate Graduation Application form -- which you can download here.

• STEP 3: Submit both your ACR forms (step 1 above) and your Undergraduate Graduation Application form (step 2 above) to: gradeval@neiu.edu 

• STEP 4: Send an email -- addressed to both registrar@neiu.edu and studentpaymentservices@neiu.edu -- noting which semester you plan on graduating in, and requesting that the filing fee (approx. $30) be applied to your NEIUport account.

• STEP 5: Once you receive a reply message saying that the filing fee has been added, log into your NEIUport account, and pay the filing fee.

• STEP 6: Do a victory dance. You're done!

"Northeastern Illinois University has two Commencement ceremonies per year: May and December. Information regarding the participation in Commencement is sent by the Student Union, Event, and Conference Services Office to all students who have applied for graduation by the appropriate deadline. Although you are not required to participate in the Commencement ceremony in order to graduate, we welcome your participation so that you can be publicly recognized for your achievement! Students who apply for August or December graduation are eligible to participate in the December Commencement ceremony. Students who apply for May graduation are eligible to participate in the May Commencement ceremony."

Not sure what comes after graduation? Here are a few tips to get you started!

• Schedule a meeting with your faculty advisor -- to brainstorm career plans, as well as steps to achieve those plans.

  • Interested in a career that better aligns with an NEIU department that differs from your major or minor's department? The entire NEIU community is here to support you! Don't hesitate to reach out faculty and department chairs from across the university, if you feel they might offer insights that can help you in your career planning.

• Make an appointment with NEIU's Career Development Office.

  • This is a great resource to identify career goals, refine application materials, prep for interviews, and more! 

  • As Career Development helps you shape applications, remember that your major, minor, many of the courses you have taken, student clubs you have participated in, internships, and jobs can be highlighted in those application materials. Consider also tailoring applications to the specific needs of the employer or graduate school program, highlighting relevant evidence from your time at NEIU that might best fit the posted position.

  • Career Development can also help you sign up for NEIU's Handshake website, a great place to find posted employment opportunities!

• Reach out to NEIU's Alumni Association.

  • This can be a great resource long after you've graduated! Learn about networking opportunities, made accessible through other NEIU alums.

• Do an online search for job ads in the career you are most interested in -- as a way to learn whether you might want to develop new qualifications beyond the Bachelor's Degree to increase your employability .

  • As you search through several job ads, look for (1) what are the required qualifications to apply (including whether they require a certain type of graduate degree, certain type of undergraduate degree, etc.), and (2) what are the preferred qualifications (i.e., skills, degrees, etc. that go above and beyond the basic requirements, and which might give an applicant an advantage in getting the job).

  • Often times this process will help a student understand whether they need to consider applying for a certain type of graduate program, volunteer or gain experience working in a certain field, or develop other skills that can boost their chances of ultimately succeeding in their intended career.

• Keep in touch with Justice Studies! 

  • Wherever your journey takes you after graduation, send us an email (justice-studies@neiu.edu) letting us know how you're doing, where you're working, and how we can support you. 

  • We often aim to highlight our amazing Justice Studies alumni through campus events, and want to help you connect with other alumni. Please consider sharing with us your post-graduation email address, so that we can keep you in the loop.