As part of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s budget outline for fiscal year 2005, NIU will receive $476,000 to help create and launch a business administration program at NIU’s Rockford location.

It will be the first installment of funds that will build toward what NIU is calling an “undergraduate master’s of business administration” that will be offered in Rockford.

“We asked for a three-year commitment, and at least two of the years will be funded,” said Melanie Magara, assistant vice president of Public Affairs.

Magara said NIU expects to receive similar funding for the next two years to help expand NIU-Rockford and its educational opportunities.

“NIU’s presence in Rockford is multi-faceted. It’s been open 10 years and offers primarily courses in the evening to accommodate people who work. We’ve been able to add undergraduate completion courses to students who are just a few classes from getting their degree,” Magara said.

NIU-Rockford will use the money to build on a successful partnership with Rock Valley College’s business program.

“The business administration program will allow people to stay in Rockford to finish bachelor’s degrees,” Magara said. “These classes will only be during the day. We’d like to see more traditional-age students graduate.”

Initially, Magara said, NIU-Rockford will be accepting about 25 to 30 students into the program, but hopes it can accommodate more as funding is increased.

David Graf, dean of NIU’s College of Business, will be in charge of setting up the program.

Degrees offered at NIU-Rockford

Master of business administration

Master of science in education

Master of nursing

Bachelor of science in technology

Bachelor of general studies

Bachelor of science in nursing -RN degree completion

Source: www.niu.edu/rockford