Beginning with the May 2009 Commencement Ceremony, the degree awarded to students graduating from the Board of Governors program will be called the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. The name of the program also has changed to reflect the new degree name.

Of the five Illinois schools that offer this program—Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, NEIU, and Western Illinois University—Chicago State is the only school that has retained the Board of Governors name.

Wamucii Njogu, associate provost, said, "This name change was recommended by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. The new name better reflects the course of study to future employers. While the name has changed, the program itself remains the same."

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program consistently ranks among Northeastern's top five in number of undergraduate major programs and number of baccalaureate degrees conferred. It is a credit-based degree program that is designed to meet the undergraduate educational needs of experienced adults in a manner compatible with career and family responsibilities. In addition to coursework at NEIU, students may apply credits transferred from other accredited institutions or earned through standardized college-level proficiency exams and a portfolio that demonstrates experiential learning equivalent to the college level.

The University Without Walls program, which is a competency-based program that leads to either a B.A. or B.S. degree, will continue to carry its longtime name. Students enrolled in this program work with an academic and a community adviser to design an individual curriculum that demonstrates depth and breadth of knowledge in a concentration as well as effective communication skills.

Janet Sandoval, director, Nontraditional Degree Programs, said, "The University Without Walls program appeals to a lot of people who already have a lot of experience in the field but haven't yet completed their bachelor's degree. Our successful students are very self-directed."

Another change taking place in the Nontraditional Degree Programs is the addition of new courses. A student needs assessment indicated a need for more one-credit-hour classes. Currently there are about five courses in development on topics including acting and human rights.

Nancy Matthews, associate professor, justice studies, and a member of the Nontraditional Degree Programs' Advisory Council, said, "Many of these classes will provide students the opportunity to earn credits though a more flexible schedule. For instance, instead of a class meeting once a week for an hour at a time for the entire length of a semester, a class may meet for a few hours each week for only a month or so."

Additionally, a new course was recently developed to offer students in both the B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and the University Without Walls programs another option for filling their writing intensive requirement for graduation. The course, called "Diversity in the Workplace," is being taught by Joshua Thusat, instructor, Nontraditional Degree Programs, who participated in a workshop that addressed specific issues in teaching a course such as this one. In addition to addressing the topic of diversity, students will improve their writing skills through the creation of formal workplace documents, academic essays and editing.