Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University’s School Business Management program equips students with the expertise, resources and Illinois ASBO connections needed for success in school business leadership, offering master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as CSBO endorsement opportunities.

Northern Illinois University Partnership Program

For those seeking a master’s or doctoral degree, Northern Illinois University has become the quintessential training ground in the state for school business leaders. Students in the School Business Management program benefit from all NIU has to offer, plus an expansive pool of expertise and resources through Illinois ASBO student membership. Those who already have their master’s degree and meet the requirements can complete school business related coursework and an internship to earn their Chief School Business Official Endorsement.

Every student will exit the program with the breadth and depth of experience that is required to be successful in this growing educational leadership field.

Key Benefits:

  • Study the many facets of school business administration — from financial planning and budgeting, to collective bargaining, safety and security and community relations.
  • Take your career higher or train staff to take on a new role — including Chief Financial Officer, Director of Operations or Assistant Superintendent for Business.
  • Nationally recognized faculty and instructors — experienced in both theory and practice.
  • Real world experience — through a 300-hour internship or a dissertation in practice overseen by current school business officials already serving in Illinois schools.
  • A network of over 2200 school business professionals — plus free registration to seminars, Rising Leaders in School Business Conference and the Annual Conference, as well as indispensable publications and other Illinois ASBO membership benefits.

Due to this unique partnership, students enrolled in these programs will automatically become members of Illinois ASBO and receive all of the benefits afforded practicing school business officials in Illinois. 

Illinois ASBO Membership Benefits

Every student will exit the program with the breadth and depth of experience that is required to be successful in this growing educational leadership field. Learn more about a career in school business management.

Becoming an SBO

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Three Career-Enhancing Programs

Master of Science in Education in School Business Management

This 39-semester-hour program is intended to prepare persons to serve as school business managers. Students, under the direction of an advisor, will plan a program of studies which will include coursework, internship and field experiences directly related to the school business management functions in elementary, secondary or college educational systems.

It is not necessary to have a teaching certificate to apply for this program. A student who completes the Master's of Science in Education degree in School Business Management will satisfy the educational requirements for the Chief School Business Official endorsement to the Professional Educator License. Program flexibility permits elective courses which may be applied toward meeting minimal educational requirements for the general administrative endorsement. 

View the program on the NIU Website

Get an Overview of the Online Program

Download a Program Flyer

Key Program Contacts

NIU Contact (Advisement, Registration, Graduation, Certification)

David Snow
Academic Counselor
dsnow1@niu.edu
(815) 753-1465

Illinois ASBO Contact (Membership, Payment, Refunds)

Carla Paschal
Assistant Executive Director of Finance and Operations/CFO
cpaschal@iasbo.org

Program Details

Applying to the NIU Graduate School

Get your ducks in a row to apply to the NIU Graduate School.

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Program Costs & Payment

Program costs, Illinois ASBO membership information and payment options.

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Sample Course Sequence

See what types of courses you will be taking throughout the School Business Management Program.

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Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Illinois ASBO and NIU have partnered together to create a doctoral program tailored to the needs of school business leaders. The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies online provides opportunities for students to engage with diverse faculty and ideas while working to make a practical impact in their communities. The program culminates with a Dissertation in Practice, allowing students to tackle real world problems facing their school districts.

It is not necessary to have a teaching certificate to apply for this program. Applicants need to submit the Graduate School application, a resume/CV, goal statement, transcripts and three references.

This program is a professional development program through Illinois ASBO. Illinois ASBO Student Premier 2.0 membership is provided during enrollment.

View the program on the NIU Website

Get an Overview of the Online Program

Submit an Application

Key Program Contacts

NIU Contact (Advisement, Registration, Graduation, Certification)

David Snow
Academic Counselor
dsnow1@niu.edu
(815) 753-1465

For Questions About the Program

Kelly Summers, Ph.D.
Associate Professor & Program Coordinator
ksummers@niu.edu

Illinois ASBO Contact (Membership, Payment, Refunds)

Carla Paschal
Assistant Executive Director of Finance and Operations/CFO
cpaschal@iasbo.org

Program Details

Applying to the NIU Graduate School

Get your ducks in a row to apply to the NIU Graduate School. 

Learn More

Program Costs & Payment

Program costs, Illinois ASBO membership information and payment options.

Learn More

Sample Course Sequence

See what types of courses you will be taking throughout the School Business Management Program.

Learn More

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Non-Degree CSBO Endorsement Program

A student already possessing a Master’s Degree must meet special requirements to be eligible for this 33-semester-hour program. Students, under the direction of an advisor, will plan a program of studies which will include coursework, internship, and field experiences directly related to the school business management functions in elementary and secondary or college educational systems.

View the program on the NIU Website

A student will be considered eligible to apply for Permission to Pursue the Chief School Business Official (CSBO) Endorsement only if he/she falls into one of the following categories:

Category 1

The student is formally admitted to a degree program in Educational Administration or School Business Management.

Category 2

The student is formally admitted to a post-master's degree program in an area other than Educational Administration or School Business Management.

Category 3

The student holds a qualifying master's degree from a teacher accredited institution and desires to pursue a non-degree/certification-only program.

Students in Category 1 shall ordinarily be granted "Permission to Pursue the CSBO Endorsement" status as part of the procedures for admission to the Educational Administration or School Business Management degree program(s).

Students in Categories 2 and 3 shall be considered for admission to the "Permission to Pursue the CSBO Endorsement" status upon completing the necessary application and providing required information and materials. To be granted "Permission to Pursue the CSBO Endorsement" status, all students must, in the professional judgment of the faculty, satisfy Faculty of Educational Administration and School Business Management standards for admission to the Master's degree program in Educational Administration or School Business Management.

Persons who are applying for certification only may be permitted to register for courses in school business management as a student-at-large providing: (1) they hold a master's degree from a college or university whose requirements are essentially equivalent to those of this university, and (2) they have been granted permission to register as students-at-large by the Graduate School. Permission to register as a student-at-large should not be confused with admission to the Graduate School or with "Permission to Pursue the CSBO Endorsement" status.

Students who have been classified as students-at-large are restricted to enrollment in the following courses: 

  • LEEA 500, Educational Organization: Principles, Concepts, and Structure; 
  • LEBM 501, School Business Management; 
  • LEEA 520, Educational Finance; 
  • LEBM 521, Accounting, Statement Analysis & Budgeting; 
  • LEBM 550, Financial Planning & School Budgeting; 
  • LEBM 525, Legal Aspects of School Business Management; 
  • LEBM 621, Advanced School Fund Accounting & Budgeting;
    AND/OR 
  • LEBM 586, Internship in School Business Management

Applications for the CSBO Endorsement may be obtained by writing: David Snow — Dept of LEPF, Graham Hall 223, DeKalb, Illinois 60115. Contact David Snow at (815) 753-1465 or at dsnow1@niu.edu.

Upon notification of admission to either the Master's Degree program or the Certification Only program in School Business Management, the student should contact the academic advisor to plan a program of courses. An official program of studies should be filed with the Graduate School before or during the semester for which the student is admitted. Failure to file a program on a timely basis may result in the loss of credit.

To remain in good academic standing, a student must maintain a 3.00 GPA in all graduate course work in the major field as well as in the total program.

It is the responsibility of students to know and observe all regulations and procedures relating to the program they are pursuing as may be found in the Graduate Catalog and/or various documents of the program, department, and college. In no case will a regulation be waived or an exception granted because students plead ignorance of, or contend that they were not informed of, the regulations or procedures.

Key Program Contacts

NIU Contact (Advisement, Registration, Graduation, Certification)

David Snow
Academic Counselor
dsnow1@niu.edu
(815) 753-1465

Illinois ASBO Contact (Membership, Payment, Refunds)

Carla Paschal
Assistant Executive Director of Finance and Operations/CFO
cpaschal@iasbo.org

Program Details

Program Costs & Payment

Program costs, Illinois ASBO membership information and payment options.

Learn More

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