Mission Statement
National Louis University provides access to quality higher education that nurtures opportunity for students through innovative teaching, scholarship, community engagement, and service excellence.
A Brief History
For more than a century, National Louis University has served those who serve others. Elizabeth Harrison, a pioneer in elementary and early childhood education, founded the institution as Miss Harrison’s Training School in 1886. The school’s name was changed to the Chicago Kindergarten College (1893), the National Kindergarten College (1912) and then the National College of Education (1930). Under Harrison’s leadership, National College of Education championed the concept of kindergarten teaching in America and was one of the first teacher’s colleges in the country to offer a four-year program culminating in the bachelor of education degree. It was the first Illinois institution to offer the bachelor’s degree for elementary teachers. The college was instrumental in the founding of the PTA and played a major role in launching the national Head Start program.
The institutional name, National Louis University, unites the name of National College of Education with that of trustee and benefactor Michael W. Louis. The Louis gift, a major financial gift that spearheaded the transition in 1990 from college to university, is among the largest to private education in Illinois. Today, National Louis University comprises three colleges—National College of Education, the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Management and Business.
National Louis University continues to serve a diverse population of students who are both new and returning to higher education. The student body includes adults who are working full time or contemplating career changes, teachers and administrators who want to further their education while continuing to work in their fields and immigrants and other language minorities with limited English skills.
A Note from the President
Dear National Louis student,
Since our founding in 1886, National Louis University has prepared graduates to lead in their professions and communities through a holistic approach that nurtures professional identity equally alongside essential skills and knowledge. NLU students and graduates inspire us every day with their passion and dedication to bringing innovative ideas to their workplaces, their communities, and anyplace they see an opportunity to make a positive difference.
Today NLU graduates thrive in the fields of education, management, human services, counseling, and many others. This catalog describes the many exciting degree and certificate programs we offer through our National College of Education, College of Management and Business, and College of Arts and Sciences. Whether you seek a graduate degree, an undergraduate degree, or a non-degree boost to enrich your vitae and skill sets, National Louis has a program that will fit your lifestyle and help you achieve your goals. We offer programs in a variety of convenient delivery models that you may adapt to your degree plan—on-campus, online, and at partner sites.
Please explore our catalog and our website at www.nl.edu. Through these pages, you will learn about the richness of National Louis—its programs, its outstanding faculty and staff, and the diversity of experience and ideas that keep our community motivated and energized. I invite you to join us to transform your world—and ours!
Best wishes,
Nivine Megahed, Ph.D.
President
National Louis University
Locations
Illinois Campuses
Chicago Campus
122 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603-3032
312.621.9650
Fax 312.261.3057
National Louis University’s main campus comprises five floors of a historic landmark office building in downtown Chicago. The campus includes classrooms, developmental skills laboratories, computer labs, a library and the NLU gift shop. The offices of the President, Provost and other academic and administrative personnel are also located on this campus.
Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, National College of Education and the College of Management and Business are offered on this campus with classes scheduled during the daytime, evening and weekend.
Lisle Campus
850 Warrenville Road
Lisle, IL 60532
630.874.4000
Fax 630.960.4603
The Lisle campus offers working adults upper-level undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, National College of Education and the College of Management and Business. The Lisle campus includes classrooms, administration and faculty offices, computer labs, student lounges, a library and a café. Also housed on this campus are the Reading Recovery Center, Center for Positive Aging and the College of Arts and Sciences Counseling Center.
North Shore Campus
5202 Old Orchard Road, Suite 300
Skokie, Illinois 60077-4409
847.475.1100
800.443.5522
Fax 847.265.1057
The North Shore Campus serves undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences, National College of Education and the College of Management and Business. The campus offers classrooms, computer labs, a library, group study areas and a café. Also located on this campus is the Reading Center.
Wheeling Campus
1000 Capitol Drive
Wheeling, IL 60090-7201
847.465.0575
Fax 847.465.5659
Classes at the Wheeling campus are easily accessible to adults who live and work in northwest Cook and Lake Counties. The Wheeling campus offers classrooms, computer labs and student lounges. It also houses the University Library Research Collection. Many university faculty, administrators and staff members have offices on the Wheeling campus.
Other Campuses
Florida Regional Campus
4950 West Kennedy Blvd, Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33609-1837
813.286.8087
Fax 813.287.0246
Serving a diverse Florida population, this NLU campus supports class groups throughout the state and offers programs through the National College of Education and the College of Management and Business. The Florida regional campus provides a full range of NLU services, including enrollment counseling, academic services, financial services, academic development, information and library support and student affairs. The campus offers classrooms, a computer lab, a research library and student lounges.
Milwaukee Campus
12000 West Park Place, Suite 100
Milwaukee, WI 53224-3007
414.577.2658
Fax 414.577.1103
The Milwaukee Campus is the administrative site for programs offered to residents of southeastern Wisconsin. Located in downtown Milwaukee, these facilities include administrative and faculty offices, classrooms and an electronic library. Enrollment and financial aid services, information and library assistance, student affairs and academic development services are provided at this campus.
Nowy Sacz, Poland Campus
WSB-NLU
ul. Zielona 27
33-300 Nowy Sacz
Poland
+48 18 449.9102
Fax +48 18 449.9121
www.wsb-nlu.edu.pl
Based in Nowy Sacz, Poland, Wyzsza Szkola Biznesu–National Louis University (WSB-NLU) has approval from North Central Association, a U.S. accreditation agency, for NLU to grant bachelor’s and master’s degrees in certain programs to qualified students.
Accreditation and Approvals
Accreditation
National Louis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606 312.263.0456, and is a participant in the HLC’s Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). National College of Education meets all twenty standards of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. The College of Management and Business has earned professional accreditation from the International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education. Selected programs in the National College of Education are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education for certification of education professionals.
Approvals
National Louis University is authorized to operate as a degree granting institution in the following states and foreign countries:
Illinois: The University is authorized to operate in Illinois by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Wisconsin: The University is approved to operate by the Educational Approval Board and has approval from the Department of Public Instruction for selected coursework for the continuing education of teachers. In addition, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction recognizes the Administration and Supervision programs for administrative licenses and the Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Secondary Education for initial teacher certification.
Florida: The University holds Regular Licensure from the Florida Commission for Independent Education of the Florida Department of Education to operate as a university, to offer programs of instruction, and to award degrees.
Credit and degrees earned from colleges in the State of Florida which are licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education do not automatically qualify the holder for a Florida teaching certificate. Any person interested in obtaining a Florida teaching certificate should contact the Office of Teacher Certification, Department of Education, Tallahassee, FL 32399.
Graduates of the M.Ed. and Ed.S. in Educational Leadership programs may receive a transcript endorsement indicating the completion of a state approved program in Educational Leadership.
The M.Ed. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Curriculum and Instruction does not provide for teacher certification by the Florida Board of Education. It is intended only for teachers who already hold certification. Additional information regarding NLU may be obtained by contacting the Commission at: 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. Toll free phone number: 888.224.6684.
Poland: The University is approved by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to offer select Bachelor of Arts degrees and the Master of Business Administration.