Apply to North Park University

First-year students


Create an account to begin your application. You can return at any time using your email and password to submit or update your information.

Apply online directly through the North Park website.

North Park Application

 

North Park also accepts the Common App.

Common Application

 

Choose the student type that fits you best—this makes sure you get the right questions and info in your application.


First-year studentsHigh school graduates applying directly to college.
Transfer studentsApplicants with 12+ college credits.
International studentsThose on a student visa.
Non-degree seekingIf you’re taking a few courses but not seeking a degree.

Some majors (e.g., Nursing, Education, Music) have extra application requirements.

Nursing Direct Admission


North Park offers Direct Admission to its renowned nursing program for exceptional students. This provides:

  • Guaranteed admission to the nursing program by the third year
  • Specialized faculty mentorship and clinical opportunities during the first two years

Admission Requirements:

  • Unweighted high school GPA of 3.75+
  • GPA of 3.50+ may be considered with ACT 27+ or SAT 1290+
  • Maintain a 2.75+ GPA at North Park and in science courses to keep admission

 

What you need to apply


  • Official high school transcripts
  • Academic reference
  • Personal essay
  • ACT, SAT, TOEFL test scores (optional)
    • ACT: 1098
    • SAT: 1556
    • TOEFL: 1556

What you need to apply as a transfer student:

  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended, including any Advanced Placement or military credit records.
  • A minimum 2.0 GPA and 12 transferable credits from another institution

For mailed materials:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
North Park University
3225 W Foster Ave
Box 19
Chicago, IL 60625

 

Dates and deadlines


North Park accepts applications year-round. For the best chance at admission and financial aid, keep deadlines in mind.

  • August 1: We begin accepting applications for the following fall semester
  • October: File your FAFSA at fafsa.gov
  • Before May 1: Accept your offer of admission and pay your deposit
  • April to June: Register for classes

Graduate students


To begin your application to North Park, first create an account in our online admissions system. This account allows you to request information, start an application, and save your progress if you need to finish it later.

If you’ve already created an account or started an application, simply log in to continue where you left off.

North Park Application

 

For nursing programs, Nursing’s Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS):

NursingCAS Application

 

Select your program of interest below to learn more about application requirements.

Admission is open year-round with no strict deadlines, though we recommend applying well in advance of the term you wish to start. To apply, you’ll need the following:

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you’ve attended. Have them sent directly to:

North Park University Admissions
3225 W. Foster Ave., Box 19
Chicago, IL 60625

You’ll receive a confirmation email once your application is submitted. After all required materials, including official transcripts, are received, the admissions committee will review your application and make a decision, typically within two weeks.

Application Deadlines

Admission to the CMHC program is open year-round, with courses starting in the fall and spring. We recommend applying well in advance of your desired start term.

Application Requirements

Along with the online, no-fee application, you will need to submit the following:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Résumé (electronic copy).
  • Two professional or academic recommendations. Request these through the online system by logging into the supplemental items list at https://npu.force.com/app.
  • Essay as outlined in the application instructions.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you’ve attended, sent directly to:

North Park University Admissions
3225 W. Foster Ave., Box 19
Chicago, IL 60625

If you’ve already started your application, simply log in to complete it.

Application Review

The CMHC program does not require a GRE score. We review your application holistically, considering your academic history, professional experience, essay, recommendations, and interview. While a GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended, a lower GPA will not automatically disqualify you from admission.

Interview

As part of the admissions process, you will be interviewed by a faculty member from the Counselor Education program. After your application materials are submitted, you will be contacted to schedule your interview. A final admission decision will be made after the interview.

Transfer Students

You may transfer up to six credits into the CMHC program from an accredited institution, provided they were earned within the last 10 years and with a grade of B or higher. Transfer credits will be reviewed on an individual basis by the admissions team to ensure they align with your degree and eligibility for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) exam.

Application Deadlines

Admission to graduate programs in the School of Education is open year-round. While there are no strict deadlines, we encourage you to apply well in advance of your intended start term. Program start terms are as follows:

  • Post-Bachelor’s Teacher Licensure: August, January
  • Teacher Endorsements: August, October, January, March, May, July
  • Master of Arts in Education: August, October, January, March, May, July
  • Master of Arts in Literacy, Language, and Culture: August, October, January, March, May, July
  • Master of Arts in Educational Leadership: August

Admission requirements

All programs in the School of Education require the following:

  • A completed online application
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, typically with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Two professional or academic recommendations (required for master’s and licensure programs). Request these through the online system at https://npu.force.com/app
  • Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, sent directly to:

North Park University Admissions
3225 W. Foster Ave., Box 19
Chicago, IL 60625

GPA Requirements

  • For most master’s and licensure programs, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
  • For teacher licensure, a GPA of 2.5 on a 3.0 scale is required, with a minimum of 2.75 in your major.
  • Endorsements and approval programs typically do not list specific GPA requirements, though students not meeting GPA standards may still be considered with additional documentation. Contact your admissions counselor for guidance.

Admissions Interview

Candidates for graduate or teacher licensure programs may need to complete an interview with the School of Education admissions committee. Your recruiter will inform you if this is necessary.

Admissions Decisions

After all required materials are submitted, your application will be reviewed by the admissions committee. You will be notified of the decision within two weeks by U.S. mail and either phone or email. Please note, all documents submitted become the property of North Park University and cannot be returned.

There is no application fee, and you can apply anytime for classes starting in January or August.

In addition to your application, please upload the following materials:

  • Two recommendations
  • Personal statement
  • Resume (including repertoire studied)
  • Official transcripts from all schools you’ve attended. You may upload them in the application portal, email them to Megan Kerwin, or mail them to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
North Park University
Attn: Megan Kerwin
3225 W. Foster Ave., Box 19
Chicago, IL 60625

Please review the full entrance requirements, prerequisites, and exam information in the Academic Catalog.

Audition and Interview Dates

  • Saturday, February 22, 2025
  • Sunday, March 1, 2026 (electronic submission due)
  • Individual appointments are available upon request through May 1.

Note: Pre-recorded accompaniment tracks are allowed.

Contact Megan Kerwin for more details or to schedule your audition.

Singer Audition Requirements

Singers should prepare three pieces as follows:

  • One art song of your choice
  • One aria (from an opera or oratorio)
  • One vocal piece of your choice, such as a 20th- or 21st-century piece or a legit musical theatre piece suitable for classical style.

Selections should be sung in English and at least one other language.

Collaborative Piano Audition Requirements

Pianists should prepare:

  • Four art songs (each in the high key)
  • A solo piano work of your choice (memorization optional)
  • When possible, please collaborate with a vocalist on recorded auditions.

The required songs are:

  • “Ständchen” by Johannes Brahms (G major)
  • “Il pleure dans mon coeur” or “Mandoline” by Claude Debussy (choose one)
  • “Morgen” by Richard Strauss (measures 1 through the downbeat of measure 16)
  • A 20th- or 21st-century vocal art song

Scholarships and Tuition

To be considered for available graduate music scholarships, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with your application and audition.

For more details, visit the School of Music, Art, and Theatre’s graduate tuition and payment options.

Contact Megan Kerwin, Admission Recruiter, for more information.

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Meet your admissions counselor

Every student who applies to North Park is assigned an admissions counselor. Your counselor is here to guide you through each step of the process—from completing your application to receiving your admissions decision and submitting your enrollment deposit.

Talk to a counselor

Contact

Office of Admissions
3225 W. Foster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

admissions@northpark.edu
(773) 244-6200
Admissions toll-tree: (800) 888-6728