Graduate Study Options

Students may enter graduate study at Northwestern University's School of Continuing Studies as either degree students or nondegree students. The nondegree student options in the humanities are professional graduate series student, nondegree special student, and visiting scholar. Degree and nondegree students participate in the same master's-level classes, and Northwestern expects that all graduate students, regardless of status, will bring the same level of commitment and academic ambition to their course work.

Degree Students

SCS graduate programs are designed to be completed in two to three years of uninterrupted part-time study (one or two courses per term). The majority of students in SCS graduate programs pursue study on a part-time basis, although it is possible to accelerate to full-time in certain cases, and during some but not all quarters. Students who work full-time are strongly encouraged to enroll on a part-time basis. The University allows five years to finish the full degree. Students may petition for a one-year extension. Students in a professional graduate series who transfer into the affiliated master's program may apply up to three units of credit toward the degree.

Nondegree Students

Professional Graduate Series Students
Professional graduate series provide an integrated, streamlined sequence of courses designed to make returning to school more manageable for busy professionals and students who wish to focus on a particular area of study. Each series consists of four units of credit. Admissions standards and requirements are identical to those for the corresponding master's degree programs. The series usually can be completed in a year by taking one or two courses per quarter. Upon successful completion of course work, students receive a certificate.

Nondegree Special Students
This option allows students to take individual courses in a particular graduate program without committing to the entire curriculum. It is ideal for those who are not ready to commit to the time or cost of a full program but want to keep open the option to earn a master's degree. Admissions standards and requirements for nondegree special students are identical to those of the corresponding master's degree program. Students wishing to continue their studies may apply to transfer to the affiliated master's program.

Visiting Scholars
This option allows students to take individual courses in SCS graduate programs without having to complete all the application requirements for degree-seeking students. Courses taken as a visiting scholar may not be transferred toward professional graduate series or degree programs at Northwestern.

Considerations Before You Apply

If you're planning to pursue a graduate degree and you've been out of school for some time, you may want to consider taking an undergraduate course as a student-at-large. Often, students take an individual course, or a series of courses, as a stepping-stone to advanced study. You can get used to being in school again, learn to balance your academic commitments with your personal and professional ones, hone your skills, and perhaps prepare a writing sample that can be used in your application to a graduate program.

Although taking undergraduate classes does not guarantee admission into our master's degree programs, many graduate students have followed this path to a stronger application. For more information on undergraduate courses click here.