Frequently Asked Questions

General

Academics

Admissions

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Housing and Meal Plans

International Students

Student Life

Terms to Semesters

Residential Undergraduate Students

Adult Degree Program Students

Transfer Student Information

Visit Information

Answers

  • When did Northwood University get its start?
    The year was 1959. Learn more about our history and The Northwood Idea.
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  • What happens after I graduate from Northwood University?
    You remain part of the Northwood family. Learn more about great alumni services and upcoming alumni events.
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  • How do I contact the Alumni Relations Office?
    We look forward to hearing from you! Visit the alumni site for all contact information.
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  • What can you tell me about the terms to semesters conversion?
    Learn more about the terms to semesters conversion. 
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  • What majors are offered at Northwood University?
    Learn about all of our business degree options at our traditional campuses and through our Adult Degree Programs, including Online Degrees.
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  • What type of computer requirements does Northwood have?
    Students do not have to have a computer; however, many bring their own computers as Northwood's buildings have Wi-Fi available. We do have specific requirements regarding preparing your PC for school.
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  • What will my relationship with the faculty be like?
    With small class sizes and specialized curriculums, you will get to know your professors very well. They will know you by name!
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  • Is Northwood University accredited?
    Northwood University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (800.621.7440; higherlearningcommission.org) and is a member of the North Central Association.
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  • Are there programs for stronger academic students?
    On our Michigan campus, we offer a Honors Program.
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  • Must I have a computer to attend NU?
    No, you don't need to purchase your own computer. Each of our campuses have several computer labs for you. Many students; however, do choose to bring their own computer as all of our campuses have Wi-Fi available.
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  • Who are the admissions staff at NU and how do I contact them?
    West Palm Beach, Fla. | Midland, Mich. | Cedar Hill, Texas
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  • Where is Northwood University?
    Northwood University has three residential campuses in West Palm Beach, Fla., Midland, Mich., and Cedar Hill, Texas. Find directions to each campus here.
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  • What are the office hours?
    Our offices our open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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  • How do I contact the Admissions Office?
    Florida Admissions | Michigan Admissions | Texas Admissions | Adult Degree Programs | DeVos Graduate School of Management
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  • Is the Campus safe?
    Yes, all of our campuses are safe. We have security on-site 24-7. View our Campus Security Reports.
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  • Who is the ideal candidate for admission to NU?
    You must have a desire to become a leader. Northwood University offers undergraduate degrees specializing in business. We also offer a MBA.
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  • How do I start the admissions process?
    Begin by talking to an admissions counselor, visiting campus, or by starting your Online Application.
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  • Will my college credits transfer to Northwood University?
    We have Transfer Equivalencies established with many community colleges. You can check the list to estimate what credits will transfer to Northwood. 
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  • How do I apply for financial aid? 
    To begin completing the financial aid process, visit the FAFSA web site to begin submitting your application. 
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  • I was selected for verification. What does that mean?
    The federal government selects student records for review by the Financial Aid Office. All selected students must provide certain information to support the answers they have provided on their FAFSA. Required documentation generally includes signed copies of federal tax returns and a verification worksheet. Additional documentation is possible. The Financial Aid Office needs the requested documents before completing the awarding process. 
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  • What if my family earnings or expenses have dramatically changed since the last tax year?
    If earnings dramatically change, you should contact your Financial Aid office immediately.
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  • I think I am eligible for veteran's benefits. What should I do to make sure?
    Contact your Financial Aid office to help answer your questions.
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  • Does NU offer on-campus housing?
    Yes, Florida, Michigan, and Texas each have on-campus housing available.
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  • Am I required to live on campus?
    Freshman are required to live on campus. Each campus has various policies regarding the residential requirement.
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  • What is the food like on campus?
    Each campus offers a cafeteria style restaurant, and each campus also hosts specialty cafes on campus. There are many options to choose from!
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  • Who do I contact for information about international admissions?
    Our International Programs team is ready to assist you in taking the first step to earning a bachelor's degree. Learn more about Applying to Northwood.
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  • How do I qualify for an I-20?
    Please review the international regulations. All questions can be addressed by contacting your admissions counselor
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  • Is financial aid available to international students?
    Learn more by visiting the International Student pages
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  • Are there clubs and organizations to join?
    We will keep you busy! Each campus has many organizations to join and to become active in.
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  • What about fraternities and sororities?
    Each of our campuses host a variety of organizations. The Michigan and Texas campuses have active fraternities and sororities. Visit the Student Life section for more details. 
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  • What athletics does Northwood University offer?
    Our comprehensive GoNorthwood.com web site details all of the athletics offered.
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  • What league does NU compete in?
    Visit our athletic web site for complete league details for each campus.
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  • What is the school mascot?
    The Michigan Campus' mascot is Woody, the timberwolf. Florida's mascot is the Seahawk. Texas' Campus mascot is the Knights
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  • How will the semester conversion affect The Northwood Idea?
    The philosophical underpinnings of Northwood University do not rest within the academic calendar, but rather in the enduring ideals and beliefs that we hold as guiding principles. These ideas are reflected within the curriculum, but the ideas themselves are independent of Northwood's academic calendar. Back to Top
  • What is the difference between a quarter and a semester?
    A quarter/term is normally 10 weeks of instruction, then a week for final exams, while a semester is 15 weeks of instruction and a week for finals. It takes three terms to make an entire academic year, while it takes two semesters. Under either system, there are 30 weeks of instruction in one academic year Back to Top
  • Why is Northwood University changing from quarters to semesters?
    Semesters provide several advantages to students, faculty, and staff. The semester system:
    • Provides more time for learning course material;
    • Provides more time for summer internships;
    • Brings NU courses in line with most textbooks which are written on the semester calendar;
    • Gives students a better chance at summer jobs because the academic year ends earlier;
    • Allows graduating seniors to enter the job market earlier;
    • Reduces registration and financial aid activity from three to two times per academic year;
    • Brings NU's calendar in line with the academic calendars of over 75 percent of the colleges and universities in this country;
    • Brings NU's calendar in line with most of the state supported universities;
    • Allows better scheduling of off-campus learning experience
    • Promotes better scheduling of activities involving other universities and colleges such as conferences and athletic events.
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  • When will NU implement the official change?
    The semester calendar will begin August 23, 2010. Back to Top
  • I am a freshman, sophomore, or junior and started Northwood on terms. How will this affect my remaining years at NU?
    Students who will complete their Northwood University program prior to the Fall of 2010 will not be affected.

    Students who are seniors in the Fall of 2009 should review their curriculum guide and their transcript to be sure that they will fulfill all of their requirements by the end of the summer of 2010.

    Students who are sophomores and juniors in the Fall of 2009 who are on track with their curriculum guide will transition easily to a revised curriculum guide and can expect to complete their Northwood University program on schedule.

    Sophomores and juniors who are off-sequence are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor to develop a plan to catch up on off-sequence courses by way of mini sessions, summer sessions, and other options. Current sophomores and juniors should complete their Accounting and Math sequences prior to the Fall of 2010 for the easiest transition of these courses.

    Freshmen who are beginning their Northwood University studies in the Fall of 2009 will receive specific advice and information in their PSY 110: Introduction to College Studies class. It will be important for them to also be on sequence with their curriculum guide at the end of the 2009-2010 academic year. 2009 freshmen should complete their Math 098, 111 (if required), and MTH 115, as well as ENG 090 (if required), and ENG 115, and 120 prior to the Fall of 2010.

    Transfer students will need to work with an Academic Advisor to determine the best plan of action for you on an individual basis.

    For all students who will be here in the Fall of 2010 and will experience the transition, Academic Advisors and PSY 110 faculty on all campuses will be "ready, willing, and able" to answer your questions and assist you in preparing completion plans for your individual transition. Back to Top
  • Where can I get specific information about the conversion?
    The specific program semester information is available in the Semesters 2010 Tab via my.northwood.edu. Course schedules with descriptions and details will be available in advance of your need to register for fall semester 2010. As soon as this information has been published, an announcement will be made on my.northwood.edu. See your advisor or department chairperson for more information. Back to Top
  • Will tuition and fees be higher under semesters than under quarters?
    Tuition and fees for the full academic year under semesters will be the same as they would have been for a full academic year under quarters/terms. Keep in mind, though, that be-cause the full year's charges will now be divided into two semesters rather than three terms, one semester's charges will be proportionately higher than those for one term. If tuition is increased, it will not be because of the change to semesters. Back to Top
  • Since I need to come up with more money each semester, what options will I have to spread out my payments?
    Annual tuition will not change due to the conversion to semesters. There will be differences in the timing of payments. We understand that this may cause some concern over your ability to pay. If you are concerned please visit your campus Business Office so that your options may be reviewed including the monthly payment plan. If you have not done so, you may want to apply for financial aid to assist you with your expenses. See a financial aid advisor for more details. Back to Top
  • Will I lose any credit hours under semesters?
    No. All quarter/term hours will be converted to their equivalent number of semester credit hours. Back to Top
  • How many hours are considered full-time under the semester calendar?
    Enrollment in 12 semester hours is required for full-time status. Most students will take about 15 hours to stay on track for graduation. Back to Top
  • How many credit hours under the semester system will be required for graduation?
    The minimum number of semester hours needed to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree is 125. However, some Northwood University degree programs and all double and triple majors require more than the minimum. Transition students' final number of semester credits is dependent upon the number of credits earned under the term calendar, so not every student will end up with an equal number of credits. Back to Top
  • Will semester conversion affect my graduation date?
    If you are currently on track with your guide for graduation and stay on track, conversion to semesters will not affect your graduation date. A Degree Completion Plan (DCP) completed with your Academic Advisor will project your graduation date. Back to Top
  • As a student what do I need to do to prepare for the change?
    Ask questions. Talk to your Academic Advisor, Department Chair, or the Registrar's Office. Complete a Degree Completion Plan (DCP). Keep up-to-date on new information. Read and save all information released concerning semester conversion. Back to Top
  • How will my transcript look if I started under terms and graduate under semesters?
    Typically, your transcript will show all credit hours earned as term hours prior to Fall term 2010. These hours will then be converted to semester hours by multiplying the number of term hours by .6667. Thereafter, your transcript will show credit hours earned under semes-ters. A note on your transcript will advise readers of this conversion method. Back to Top
  • Under terms, we had a 3/7 week split in winter term. What will my breaks look like under semesters?
    In general, the Fall semester will start sometime towards the end of August and end with final exams prior to Christmas. The Spring semester will start in early January and final exams and commencement will fall near the beginning of May. Back to Top
  • How are the class times going to be?
    A three-credit hour class must meet for three hours each week. Classes will be offered on a block time schedule, with individual courses being offered one, two or three days per week. A course that meets one-day per week will meet for three hours; a course that meets twice per week will meet for 1 hour and 20 minutes; and a course that meets three times per week will meet for 50 minutes each. Campuses will determine their own schedules based on enrollments, course offerings, and classroom availability. Please check the Academics page of your campus website for your specific course offerings. Back to Top
  • Will I be able to repeat a course, to improve a grade and my GPA, after the course has been converted to a semester from the original quarter course?
    Yes, you can continue to repeat courses to replace grades from a term course to a semester course change. If the course has been changed and merged with other content, the department can review the individual student's request and determine how the replacement grade and which equivalent course would change the old course grade.

    Completion of a content category on the term system will translate into completion of the same content category on the semester system. Back to Top
  • How will the semester conversion affect mini-terms?
    The new academic calendar includes three opportunities for intersessions as they are be-ing titled. Intersessions will be offered at the end of Fall Semester in December, during Spring Break in March, and during the Summer months. Intersessions will be longer than current mini sessions. Back to Top
  • I am a graduate student, how will this change impact my program of study?
    The DeVos Graduate School implemented a 15-week semester model effective August, 2000. With this upcoming change, all operating units will now be on the same semester sys-tem. While there may be some minor tweaking of the DeVos calendar, in no way will the length of your program of study or graduation date be adversely affected.
  • How will the change to semesters effect textbook costs?
    Textbook costs may actually be less under semesters as books will only need to be purchased two rather than three times a year and most students will take 10 courses rather than 12.
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  • How will the semester conversion affect The Northwood Idea?
    The philosophical underpinnings of Northwood University do not rest within the academic calendar, but rather in the ideals and beliefs that we hold as guiding principles. These ideas are reflected within the curriculum, but the ideas themselves are independent of how Northwood operates on academic calendar.Back to Top
  • Why is Northwood University changing from quarters to semesters?
    Semesters provide several advantages to students, faculty and staff. The semester system:
    • Provides more time for learning course material;
    • Provides an opportunity for faculty to update curricula;
    • Brings NU courses in line with most textbooks which are written on the semester calendar;
    • Reduces registration and financial aid activity from three times to two times per academic year;
    • Brings NUs calendar into line with the academic calendars of over 75 percent of the colleges and
        universities in this country;
    • Brings NUs calendar into line with most of the state supported universities;
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  • When will NU implement the official change?
    The semester calendar will begin with the Fall semester, 2010. Program Center Managers will meet individually with students throughout the 2009-2010 academic year to ensure a smooth transition from terms to semesters.Back to Top
  • What changes can ADP students expect when we go to semesters?
    In ADP, we currently have three 12-week terms or 36 weeks of instruction. When we con-vert to semesters we will offer eight-week courses with multiple start dates, blended cours-es (combination of online and classroom-based courses), weekend, and intersessions. The goal is to provide students with the same or improved flexibility as they move to semesters.

    Under the current term structure a student who attends class one night per week from September through June will complete six courses by attending class one night per week. When we convert to semesters students will be able to complete six courses in the same time frame. Back to Top
  • When can I get specific information about the conversion?
    The specific program semester information is available in the Semesters 2010 Tab via my.northwood.edu. Course schedules with descriptions and details will be available in advance of your need to register for Fall semester 2010. As soon as this information has been published, an announcement will be made on my.northwood.edu. See your Program Center Manager for more information. Back to Top
  • Will tuition and fees be higher under semesters than under quarters?
    Tuition and fees for the full academic year under semesters will be the same as they would have been for a full academic year under quarters/terms. Keep in mind, though, that be-cause the full year's charges will now be divided into two semesters rather than three terms, one semester's charges will be proportionately higher than those for one term. If tuition is increased it will not be because of the change to semesters.Back to Top
  • Will I lose any credit hours under semesters?
    No. All quarter/term hours will be converted to their equivalent number of semester hours. Back to Top
  • How many credit hours under the semester system will be required for graduation?
    The minimum number of semester hours needed to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree is 125. However, some Northwood University degree programs and all double and triple majors require more than the minimum. Transition students' final number of semester credits is dependent upon the number of cred-its earned under the term calendar, so not every student will end up with an equal number of credits. Back to Top
  • Will semester conversion affect my graduation date?
    If you are currently on track for graduation, conversion to semesters will not affect your graduation date. A Degree Completion Plan (DCP) completed with your Program Center Manager will project your graduation date.Back to Top
  • As a student what do I need to do to prepare for the change?
    Talk to your Program Center Manager early this fall. Read and save all information released concerning semester conversion. Back to Top
  • How will my transcript look if I started under terms and graduate under semesters?
    Typically, your transcript will show all credit hours earned as term hours prior to Fall term 2010. These hours will then be converted to semester hours by multiplying the number of term hours by .6667. Thereafter, your transcript will show credit hours earned under semes-ters. A note on your transcript will advise readers of this conversion method.Back to Top
  • Will I be able to repeat a course, to improve a grade and my GPA, after the course has been converted to a semester from the original quarter course?
    Yes, you can continue to repeat courses to replace grades from a term course to a semes-ter course change. If the course has been changed and merged with other content, the department can review the individual student's request and determine how the replace-ment grade and which equivalent course would change the old course grade. Completion of a content category on the term system will translate into completion of the same content category on the semester system. Back to Top
  • Are intramural sports available?
    Each campus has incredible recreational offerings. From flag football to ping pong, our intramural sports will keep you fit.
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  • Will my college credits transfer to Northwood University?
    Learn more about transferring credits - Transfer Equivalencies
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  • What merit scholarships are available?
    Yes, visit the financial aid pages/funding your education for the campus you plan on attending.
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  • What financial aid programs are available to attend NU?
    Northwood offers many types of financial aid options. First, start with the FAFSA form.
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  • What is Northwood University's cost of education?
    Learn more about our costs of education: Florida | Michigan | Texas | Adult Degree Programs | DeVos Graduate School
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  • Am I eligible for tax benefits as a full-time student?
    You need to talk to your tax consult about any issues regarding taxes. It is a good idea to always keep your receipts for books, tuition, and educational expenses. 
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  • Does Northwood University accept credit card payments?
    Yes! Online through My.northwood.edu. How do I make a payment? Click on WebAdvisor/Students/Make A Payment. The University Bookstore accepts credit cards for all purchases. NU's business office accepts checks and cash for payment of tuition.
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  • Is a payment plan available?
    We offer students several different payment options. Visit our Tuition & Fee pages for the campus you plan on attending.
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  • When can I visit Northwood?
    Our campuses are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Our admissions teams encourage you to call before you visit. The admissions teams can arrange visits to classrooms, discussions with professors, and campus tours. Give admissions a call to coordinate your visit today!
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Contact Information
Northwood University
800.457.7878