Northeastern Illinois University Reviews

"The University really excels at its business education. They are sure to employ professors with Global business experience to provide students with a well-rounded education and an incredible wealth of knowledge. There are numerous opportunities for real-world experience. They also provide credit for life and career experience which is very helpful."

"It is a great school to earn a great education in. The professors, student and faculty were very helpful and provided all kind of assistance to their student. I was able to earn my undergraduate degree in the field of Psychology and had an internship with Northeastern Illinois University. I learned how to explore, study and expand my horizon with psychological behaviors, attitudes and I was able to monitor and observe these behaviors while finishing my degree."

"I completed my Bachelor's Degree from Northeastern Illinois University located in Chicago. I graduated with my Community Health Degree and minor in Physical Education. I am very fortunate to have received my degree because it has helped me in many job openings that require at least a Bachelor's Degree. During my completion of my degree, most classes were very flexible and some professors were very helpful. I gained knowledge and education at the same time."

"Great school. Good location. Commuter school - but I guess they are building dorms in the area now. Classes during the day and night. Small and diverse. Celebrates cultures. Understands that a lot of the students that attend the school are working or parents - they work with you and your schedule for the most part. Great on the budget although you do get what you pay for.. Hidden fees, long lines and long wait, small staff. Have to figure things out yourself and do it all yourself. Plus they need more parking."

"I was very happy with my college experience. The smaller size of the programs insured that I received plenty of attention from my professors, which was the most important aspect to me. I would suggest trying to set up a housing system for the school. The lack of dorms/apartments was the only negative."

"Although there are some excellent professors, especially in some programs like music and the natural sciences, many others are obviously incompetent - haven't read anything in their respective fields in years, have lowered standards to high school or even grade school levels, there are way too many classes where you can pass or even get As just for showing up without any weapons. I had one graduate level reading class in teachers ed where the only requirement was that we read four children's books, and the class negotiated that downward. We spent every day hearing that we shouldn't teach to tests, then we would hear the answers to some multiple choice test we didn't actually take. That was the entire class. I had a sociology professor who was clearly just making stuff up. She told us one day the the word, picnic, was racist, even after a student showed her that the etymology was French. I had a Criminal Justice professor who got his degree from an online fake college (he bragged about it in class!). The problem of being in a program with very low academic standards isn't obvious while you're in the program, it was very easy to do while working full time, but the reputation of the school is so poor that except for the Chicago Public Schools, you can't use a degree to even get in the door at any suburban public or metropolitan area private schools. One principal even told me, apologetically, in their experience "too many NEIU graduates aren't adequately literate." Ouch. A couple of years before I started the program, I ignored the news that the school was in accreditation trouble in a couple of programs like social work and education. Their solution for education where an unforgivable high percentage were failing certification tests was that undergrad ed students weren't classified as education majors until after successfully passing the certification exam...thus converting the program to close to 100% passing (and how that wasn't 100% I don't know), all those who failed weren't technically education majors! The internship program was terrible, I basically taught a CPS class by myself without supervision while the full time "teacher" hid in the teachers lounge on the days she even showed up. In all fairness, I did learn a lot in that trial by fire, from the students who actually appreciated someone in the classroom who was trying, no matter how ineptly. I did get a job as a CPS sub but I could have gotten that with just my math undergraduate degree, I later got a good teaching gig after I got an M.A. from a real college, again in math, but I also challenged the teaching certification exam (which you can do without an education degree I only found out after NEIU) and passed. I would advise any potential students to weigh the pros and cons here. It's an easy school with very low standards, so if you're working your way through, that is something to think about. It's also pretty cheap, I found their financial aid department to be difficult but I was able to pay for most of my tuition from savings and work paychecks. On the other hand, the reputation of the school among area employers and universities (if you want to go farther in education) is dismal. I would say, all in all, NEIU is not a wise investment, except for a few specific programs (Natural Sciences, History, Music Education seemed to be programs with much higher standards than the rest of the college)."

"Pros: Faculty are SO invested in their students. They get back to you asap and are always willing to meet with you to go over anything that might be unclear. The campus is well put together and organized in a good manner. Cons: The time of the classes are often offered too late and don't work with my schedule all the time but I have been able to make adjustments to make it work."

"The MAT program is now in its second year. I am excited to be half way through the program now and excited to start my career in Early Childhood Education."

"Choosing to attend Northeastern Illinois University was one of the best investments that I have ever made. In the Special Education program specifically, each professor I had the privilege to learn from was a role model to me. Each professor had experience working in the classroom but also showed the additional positions I could strive for when I am ready to exit the schools but continue to work in the field. For example, some teachers were advocates for families, therapists, ran their own businesses such as behavior intervention, and served as consultants for families to ensure that their child were receiving the best supports possible. The availability to connect with my professors were always present and I feel that each teacher saw my potential and ensured that I reached or maximized that potential through my work. I met a variety of individuals throughout my courses and really appreciated the diversity the city of Chicago truly holds. I grew up in the suburbs and have always wanted to be close to the city. Northeastern allowed me to do that at my own comfort level. I had to commute which was challenging at times, but I was not yet ready to be completely independent from my own family. Northeastern truly shows their commitment to YOUR educational success and does what it can to congratulate you in any way possible. For example, through scholarships, entrance to the honor society, and on the dean's list. I really cherish my experience at Northeastern and I hope that if you would like to become a teacher, this is the school for you."

"Like any other graduate program there is always great load of work that I have to do. It is hard but it will pay off someday."

"My experience here has been outstanding so far. Everyone has been so helpful with admissions and getting into the counseling program. This is my first summer there and I am excited to continue my education here."

"I feel that my best professors are adjunct members, and the tenured are just sitting back and enjoying the ride. With a few exceptions, most tenure are reluctant to stay for help outside of class and are generally ill prepared for lectures. That is unfortunate. Also, given that NEIU is a state institution and going through a ton of bureaucratic manipulation, there tends to be a lot of that stress spilling over into the classroom. I do not work for the state. Rather I am paying the state for this education, so let's try to keep the power struggles and egos away from the quality of education. One thing that I absolutely adore about this university is the number of international and ESL students. I think the sociolinguistic aspects of the institution is remarkable. If you are planning to enter into a field that deals with this population, there are many, many opportunities to get started right away on campus."

"The program was fairly easy to get into. I worked closely with the program director, got my packet together promptly and went on from there."

"I really enjoy my experience at NEIU. The education is great and affordable. However, the neighborhood is a bit dry. Nothing to do, but laundry and hookah bars. I think the teachers at NEIU could use more training, but overall there are some good ones."

"The counseling program at NEIU is great for working professionals who are looking to improve themselves. A drawback to this graduate program is that most students do not regularly interact outside of class. The classes are not extremely challenging, but I have learned a lot so far. I feel that I will be prepared to be a counselor upon finishing the program."

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to defend a research thesis, though I would've liked to have more options for advanced biology during my coursework."

"There is an excellent faculty of extremely intelligent professors and educators. I feel that the education I have gained though the classes at Northeastern Illinois University will prepare me for my career after Graduate school."

"I'm a working, married adult, and can't afford to quit work and go back to grad school. And I can't afford some of the bigger schools. NEIU is a perfect compromise, and it's located right down the block from my undergrad alma mater. Win win."

"Pros- teachers are awesome, very affordable, close to home. Cons- School is old, library is awful, climate control for whole school is bad, parking is a nightmare, no direction or guidance on where to go to succeed, no help or direction to free services."

"For MS in Biology in ecology, I should have studied out west. Tuition was what appealed to me. Didn't have to take GRE to join program. Public transportation is awesome and lots of things to do in Chicago."