Northwestern University SCHOOL OF CONTINUING STUDIES

“New applications of technology in the workplace will continue to  drive demand for workers to remain competitive.”

— Bureau of Labor Statistics*

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects IT employment prospects to be “excellent.”  The reason: it has become virtually impossible for a workplace to function without an efficient computer system. “In the modern workplace,” the BLS reported, “it is imperative that information technology works both effectively and reliably.” Dependence on skilled IT managers is intensified by the fast-changing nature of the field, as well as the number of companies who look to technology to drive revenues. The growth rate far outpaces the averages for all other occupations in the United States.

Even during economic downturns, the need for IT professionals remains strong. In a 2009 private survey† chief information officers reported difficulty in hiring IT managers, despite offering increasingly high salaries. Some 77 percent of the CIOs said it was at least as difficult, if not harder, to hire IT managers than it had been a year earlier, when wages were already comparatively high. The median salary for these managers in 2010 was $115,780, with most earning between $71,000 and $166,000. Depending on the field, company and  employee rank, the pay can climb much higher. At the very highest levels, officers in charge of IT for a large company can earn up to $500,000.

As a reflection of the demand for skilled IT workers, some 24 percent of managers worked an average of more than 50 hours per week in 2010. Job opportunities in the IT field have become even more plentiful as many Baby Boomers in these jobs move into retirement. In this fast-changing field, the importance of continuing education could scarcely be overstated, as the BLS report underscored: “New applications of technology in the workplace will continue to drive demand for workers to remain competitive.” The report predicted that companies will continue to install sophisticated computer networks and set up more complex intranets and websites. Professionals with the skills to expertly manage these emerging systems will be able to command increasingly high pay.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012–13 edition

† Robert Half Technology, 2009 report

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics*, employment in medical and health informatics is expected to increase by 20 percent through the year 2018. That’s faster than the average for all occupations in the United States.

One reason the field of medical informatics is expanding at this high rate is due to the increasing number of medical tests, treatments and procedures evaluated by health insurance companies, regulators, courts and consumers.* As a result, there’s an increased demand for electronic record-keeping and the professionals who can lead and manage this effort.

As graduates of the MMI program, students will possess the technical skills and leadership experience necessary to lead and manage change in the health care industry. The demand for medical informatics professionals is increasing in various roles such as consulting independent practices and large medical facilities to implement and maintain electronic health records.

Graduates will have a competitive advantage when seeking medical informatics jobs in:

Health Care Administration and Management

• Design, extract and analyze management information from health care information systems
• Develop implementation and financing strategies for integrating electronic health record systems into organizations
• Create innovative applications for electronic health records
• Provide information management consulting services to health care organizations

Clinical IT Leadership

• Promote the design and deployment of new technologies to improve patient outcomes
• Design and develop clinical decision support and knowledge-based systems

Research

• Develop new techniques and technologies for integrating clinical and research data and information
• Collaborate with industry as a consultant, providing clinical input during design process

Education / Academic

• Teach medical and clinical students, residents and fellows core informatics concepts
• Develop education programs in biomedical informatics

Organizations Needing Medical Informatics Professionals with Master’s Degrees include:

• Hospitals and other health care providers
• Private health care practices
• Medical software companies
• Health care consulting companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Medical device and medical technology companies
• Medical libraries
• Public health organizations
• Government and non-governmental agencies and health care associations
• Insurance and other health care related companies
• Research laboratories
• Universities and colleges

*Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010–11, U.S. Department of Labor

The use of data to inform decision-making and strategy is not new — but with new technologies and new analytic tools and techniques, never before has such a high volume of quality data been available to businesses and other organizations. As a result, the field of analytics will continue a positive, upward trend, outpacing many other occupational fields.

• The demand for analytic skills is supported by research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which predicts that by 2018 there will be a 13 percent increase in the need for statisticians, a 22 percent increase in demand for operations research analysts and a 24 percent increase in management analysts.¹ And while the demand for analytic skills crosses multiple industries, fields such as marketing, health care and finance are expected to experience a particularly strong need for analytics professionals.
• According to IDC, a provider of market intelligence consulting services, the business analytics market will grow by at least 6.1 percent in 2010 alone.² The growth may stem, in part, from a growing awareness of the power of data-driven strategies. IDC says there is a demand for “not only access to information, but the ability to analyze and act upon it to create competitive advantage.” ³
• A Forrester Research study showed that business analytics is the fastest growing category of global IT software expenditures, and approximately 69 percent of businesses are interested in using analytics.⁴

Graduates of Northwestern University’s Master of Science in Predictive Analytics program will be prepared to leverage and manage data and develop data-driven solutions, either as in-house experts and managers or as independent consultants. The growing volume of data will likely lead to new kinds of positions in a wide variety of industries where MSPA graduates will have a competitive edge.

¹ www.bls.gov

² IDC, 2010 State of the U.S. Business Analytics Market  

³ IDC, www.idc.com

⁴ Forrester Research, The State of Business Intelligence Software and Emerging Trends – 2010

Professional opportunities for graduates of Northwestern’s  MPPA program are as broad and varied as the field of public policy and administration itself. With four concentrations to choose from — health services policy, public policy, public safety and security, and urban policy and administration — MPPA graduates set their sights on leadership roles in government at the local, regional and federal levels, in nonprofit organizations or in private enterprise.

Employment in state and local governments — among the largest employers in the economy, with approximately 8 million workers — is projected to increase 8 percent between 2006 and 2016, with job growth stemming from the rising demand for services, an increasing population and the retirement of baby boomers. According to the International City/County Management Association, the largest “replacement talent gaps” will be in public sector managerial and administrative ranks. A 2008–09 ICMA salary survey showed that the average for chief administrative officers for cities was $105,019 and the average salary of a county chief administrative officer was $117,342.

Job growth in other areas of public service will be faster than the average for all occupations. Employment for health services managers is projected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020 as the health care industry expands and diversifies. In 2008 health services managers earned a median salary of $80,240.* Employment of urban and  regional planners is expected to grow 16 percent, with most new jobs in state and local government as planners addressing an array of problems associated with population growth. Urban and regional planners earned a median salary of $59,810 in 2008, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $91,520.* Employment for community service managers is expected to grow much faster than average, and demand for government IT managers will also be strong. The field of emergency management continues to grow nationally and locally. In 2010 emergency management directorsearned a median salary of $55,360, with the top 10 percent earning more than $85,000 annually.*

Increasing interest in politics and foreign affairs, including social and environmental policy issues and immigration, is driving demand for political science research. Experienced federal workers at the GS-15 level earn from $99,000 to $129,000. Whatever focus they choose, MPPA graduates take satisfaction in helping to shape the policies that affect our lives.

Whatever focus they choose, MPPA graduates take satisfaction in helping to shape the policies that affect our lives.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook, 2012–13 edition

Jobs in the field of clinical research and its regulation have grown sharply in recent years, and employment prospects are expected to increase in the future. Growth prospects are expected to continue to rise, mirroring the increase in research on and regulation of drugs and medical devices. A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report* showed that salaries tend to correlate strongly with levels of education.

For professionals working in the food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, that means that job security and potential advancement requires a keen knowledge of regulatory issues. For medical scientists, job opportunities are expected to grow by some 40 percent by the decade ending in 2018, according to the BLS. The field has been growing since the 1980s, a reflection of the expanding biotechnology industry. The BLS reported that the continued study of AIDS, cancer and flu will promote the search for effective medicines.

MSRC graduates are prepared to assume leadership positions in healthcare compliance, clinical research compliance or quality systems in the life sciences. Even PhDs can significantly enhance their skill sets and find new professional opportunities in this increasingly important and sensitive field.

Clinical research experts can work in a wide range of areas — from research clinics and academic medical centers to clinical research organizations, other research service providers to pharmaceutical companies. Their education skills often qualify them for careers in overlapping research and regulatory fields. The Society of Clinical Research Associates lists subgroups of employment: clinical research associates, clinical research coordinators, research nurses, research managers, and project managers.

Median salaries for clinical research technicians are more than $40,000. Average salaries for medical scientists are more than $76,000. Project managers in pharmaceutical companies average wages of more than $75,000 as do senior clinical scientific researchers. Median wages for senior clinical scientific researchers exceed $82,000.

Quality systems experts can expect employment of workers in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing is projected to grow by 6.1 percent by 2018.* Earnings of workers in the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry are higher than the average for all manufacturing industries. The American Society for Quality posts jobs in several areas of quality assurance. Managerial positions in specific areas of quality assurance can be found on sites such as BlueSkySearch.com for the food industry or Medzilla.com for work in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or health care. Some of the word’s largest food and pharmaceutical industries are located in the Chicago area.

Labor statistics show that salaries of supervisors, technicians, chemists and statisticians in these industries average between $57,000 and $73,000. But for senior scientists and project managers, salaries can go beyond $100,000.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Guide to Industries, 2012–13 edition

Sports-related jobs are expected to increase 20 percent or more for the decade ending in 2018, a much larger increase than the average for other employment sectors.*

The world of sports continues to be a large and fast-growing part of the nation’s economy. Sports-related jobs are expected to increase 23 percent for the decade ending in 2018, a much larger increase than the average for other employment sectors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)*. Only a tiny fraction of people will ever join the professional ranks as players, coaches or top executives, but jobs connected to sports marketing and administration will continue to grow, a result of demographics and the increasing demand for sophisticated organizations that specialize in youth sports.

In the large college or big league ranks, salaries for top executives can reach levels of hundreds of thousands of dollars, even millions of dollars. But competition for these positions can be fierce. In general, administrators and managers in college or the minor or professional leagues earn entry-level salaries that range between $25,000 and $40,000. Jobs in sports administration have such titles as athletic director, associate director of marketing, assistant director of facilities, director of operations for youth sports, media relations director, advertising sales representative.

Youth sports, such as highly competitive club and travel teams in volleyball and basketball, have become big business in recent years and appear poised to see yet more growth. “As parents try to help their children reach their full potential” by aiming for spots on competitive high school teams or aiming for college scholarships, jobs will grow for people who administer and manage amateur sports, according to the BLS. Such positions, especially for those who own a stake in the programs, can be more lucrative than many of the jobs in the more glamorous world of college or professional sports.

For those with expertise in sports marketing and administration, jobs can be found at many large corporations with divisions that focus on consumer ties to athletics. These jobs often track closely with public relations, a field that is expected to grow some 21 percent through the decade ending in 2020, according to the BLS.

Median salaries for public relations managers were $91,810 in 2010. Since competition in this field can be especially keen, a distinctive educational resume can prove the difference in securing a job and rising in the ranks. The BL S reports, “employers prefer a masters degree in public relations or journalism. Applicants who do not have the appropriate educational background or work experience, will face the toughest obstacles.”

Chicago is one of the greatest sports towns in America. Several local sports organizations keep contacts with Northwestern for job openings. Online postings of sports jobs can be found at JobsinSports.com and SportsCareerFinder.com. The College Athletic Business Management Association maintains information about sports jobs at colleges and universities.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Guide to Industries, 2012–13 edition

Northwestern University's Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) program cuts a wide swath through the humanities and social sciences. With four optional concentrations to choose from – American studies, history, religious and ethical studies, or an individualized plan – MALS students are prepared to enter any number of fields or advanced graduate study.One of the key benefits of the MALS program is itsfocus ont he critical thinking skills that are essential in today's professional world.  This focus allows students to postiion themselves as professionals with a broad-based understanding of social and cultural issues, an an enhanced ability to to analyze, write, and complete research.

Because the Masters of Liberal Studies degree program is so flexible,MALS graduates have established careers in anumber of industries.  Some popular career choices for graduates of the program include journalism, communications, public administration, theology, writing, business administration, and public policy and administration.  Students who choose to pursue a a career as a secondary-school teacher can gain a competitive edge by eepening thier subject-area knowledge. For some students the program can clarify the next step in thier career, or provide excellent preparation for futher graduate study. 

Job outlooks for graduates of the MALS program vary according to each student's specific industry interests. For instance, public relations managers are expected to enjoy 21% market growth between 2010 and 2020, and social and community service managers will grow by 27%.*

* Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook, 2010-2011 edition

Success in any career field is dependent upon the ability to master critical thinking skills that are best gained from literature.  The MALit program is a broad and stimulating intellectual program that deepens student's ability to analyze complex information, challenge assumptions, weigh competing considerations and reach effective solutions.  MALit students sharpen analytical and writing skills that can be applied in PhD programs, and builds critical thinking and communication skills needed for success in diverse professional areas from advertising to law. 

MALit students come from a variety of disciplines, adding the value of their professional experience to the classroom while building the skills needed to advance in their current career or make a career change. There are many professional opportunities available to graduates of the Northwestern University Master of Arts in Literature.  Graduates have the option of pursuing further graduate study, a university professorship, or a career in editing, writing, human resources, or public relations.  The MALit degree also provides the knowledge — and credentials — for secondary school teachers seeking a competitive edge in their careers and a higher standard of instruction in their classroom.

Job outlooks for graduates of the MALS program vary according to each student's specific industry interests. For instance, public relations managers are expected to enjoy 21% market growth between 2010 and 2020, and social and community service managers will grow by 27%.*

* Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook, 2010-2011 edition

MA/MFA graduates acquire the skills and experience to deepen their writing skills while strengthening their network ties within the writing community. The MA and MFA programs include opportunities for study and application beyond the classroom. Students may gain experience in publishing by serving as staff of TriQuarterly, the program's international online literary journal. The program also highlights internships opportunities with outside organizations, as well as opportunities for students to build their professional networks by connecting with other writers at readings and related events that are part of Chicago's vibrant literary scene.

The advantage of the creative writing programs specifically is their focus on the core skills of creative writing. By emphasizing the basics of form, students are able to apply what they learn in the MA or MFA program to any career that requires good writing. Students can apply higher level writing skills across a variety of vocations which require writing skills and creativity, such as, arts administration, technical writing, journalism, advertising, and public relations. Furthermore, we offer courses designed to help you go on to teach writing or work in the publishing industry. A master's degree is standard for teaching at the college-level, and usually required to obtain a salaried job as a writer or author. Excluding Public Relations Specialists and Technical Writers, a Writer’s average salary is $68,060. In 2010, religious, grant making, civic, and professional industries employed the most writers.

Knowledge of the developmental processes that explain biological and cultural differences is relevant to a variety of careers and advanced study. Pre-law students profit from the cross-cultural study of conflict and conflict resolution; pre-medical students from courses in human evolution and population genetics as well as the cross-cultural study of health and disease. An anthropology degree also provides students with a solid liberal arts background with a special understanding of ethnic and cultural differences, as well as the critical thinking skills necessary to pursue a master's degree or PhD in anthropology, other social science fields, or the humanities.

Graduates holding anthropology degrees enter such fields as health care, law, education, business and personnel management, advertising and marketing, journalism, public relations, counseling, community development, international development, museum work, environmental services, government, forensics and contract archaeology.

Art historians teach in elementary and secondary schools, work in libraries, art galleries and auction houses and in journalism, publishing, media, business, international relations, politics, public relations, marketing and advertising. Some pursue professional degrees in architecture, art conservation, law or medicine, or attain MA or PhD degrees in art history or other fields of humanities study.

Biology is the study of life. Biologists study the diversity, history, and structure of living things and their components, at community, population, individual, cellular, molecular and biochemical levels. A major in biological sciences prepares students for a variety of positions: in research and education; in medical and other health professions; in pharmaceutical, genetic testing, and other biomedical companies; and in government agencies. A degree in biological sciences is the first step toward successful careers such as physician, dentist, veterinarian, teacher, researcher, analyst, administrator or pharmaceutical sales representative.

Students in communication studies learn to evaluate and produce communicative texts that adapt to changing situations and audiences. A communication studies degree provides students with effective interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, ethical and media-savvy communication expertise, as well as the critical thinking skills necessary for advanced studies in communication, media, education, or other related fields. This major rigorously prepares students for future work and study in a variety of fields such as law, politics and public affairs, journalism, marketing, advertising, public relations, consulting and many others.

A communication systems degree provides students with effective interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, ethical and media-savvy communication expertise, as well as the practical skills of information technology crucial for work in a broad range of fields related to technology, media and communication. Communications systems graduates work in the information industry, computer-mediated communication, management, public policy, mass media and a variety of other commercial and non-profit areas.

According to the American Economic Association, economics majors find success in a wide range of careers. A student of economics will have a good understanding of how markets function. This knowledge is useful for a variety of jobs in government, industry or finance. Many large corporations and labor unions employ economists to prepare forecasts and to examine developments in national or local markets that may affect future costs and profits. Management consulting and commercial and investment banking are rapidly growing areas of employment for majors, especially those who have strong analytical skills in mathematics and statistics. Governments at all levels, including international organizations such as the United Nations, are also significant employers of economics majors for positions involving analysis of revenues and expenditures and cost benefit studies of programs in education, health, and transportation. The study of economics also provides a good preparation for graduate study, including MBA and MPA programs, or law school.

Today it is likely that a person will pursue several different lines of work over the course of his or her life. The broad outlook and fundamental skills that literary studies entails — effective written and oral communication; understanding others’ perspectives; critical thinking, research, and information management; synthesis, creative thinking, and imaginative vision — prepares English majors for virtually any career in areas diverse as business, media, medicine and education. Many graduates proceed to every kind of professional school — law, medicine, journalism, public policy — or graduate studies in numerous fields, from English to sociology. Many pursue careers that involve writing, analysis, persuasion and public presentation in business, government, non-profits, media, the arts, educational institutions, and many other professional settings. The ability to analyze closely, think creatively and write clearly and effectively are skills that are applicable in any field in which verbal fluency and critical thinking are crucial.

Creative writing builds applied skills in reading and critical thinking as well as dexterity in various kinds of writing — professional, analytical and the genres of creative writing — in a range of contexts, including print and new media. The English Major in Writing develops versatile writers who use their advanced skills in an array of fields in addition to those related to writing and publishing, from communication and marketing and advertising to public service and education. A creative writing degree provides excellent preparation for careers that demand exceptional professional or creative writing skills, or for teaching secondary school and pursuing graduate degrees.

History teaches students to absorb and creatively process large amounts of information, and to think, research write and analyze. History majors prosper in any profession that requires research, analysis, argumentation and communication. Some history majors follow career paths clearly related to their studies: they attend law school, they become teachers, they work in archives and museums, or they study at the graduate level to become professional historians. History is a superb background for journalism, law, government, even medicine, urban planning and engineering; the best professional and graduate schools in the country accept students who have been exposed to the rigors of historical study. History majors are prepared to pursue successful careers as teachers, academics, lawyers, civil servants, journalists and historians in private or public agencies.

Students in the information systems major are prepared to work in a variety of technology-related jobs in business, nonprofit and educational settings. Graduates find careers as analysts, programmers and web developers, and are found in accounting firms, business processing organizations, banks, consulting, health care providers, insurance companies and more. Information technology continues to be a growth area. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 38.3 percent growth in the field of information science through 2016. Learn more about careers in information technology from CIO.com.

Knowledge of human behavior and business is critical to the achievement of organizational goals and objectives and to the success and well-being of the individual in the workplace. Leadership and Organization, a specialized program within the organization behavior major, emphasizes leadership principles and practices for management while providing a solid foundation for applying an understanding of social psychology and communication theories. Critical thinking and independent judgment skills particular to the workplace in order to build the effectiveness of individuals and teams are also developed within this program. Graduates find successful careers in a wide array of industries and environments, working in the areas of human resources, organization development, consulting, training and other related capacities.

The major in mathematics offers a range of courses that address its diverse applications. In addition to academic and teaching opportunities, graduates with mathematics degrees work in the private and public sector in such areas as insurance, information technology, engineering, urban planning and policy, the aerospace industry and consulting. According to the American Mathematical Society, while mathematical research and education are at the heart of some careers, other jobs utilize mathematics and its applications to build and enhance important work in the sciences, business, finance, manufacturing, communications  and engineering. Learn more about careers in mathematics from the AMS, and from WeUseMath.org.

Knowledge of human behavior and business is critical to the achievement of organizational goals and objectives and to the success and well-being of the individual in the workplace. The organization behavior major enables students to develop a sophisticated understanding or how organizations operate, drawing upon knowledge from psychology, management theory, sociology and related disciplines. This major also includes an array of communication studies courses that enhance communication skills, as well as courses that foster quantitative literacy so necessary in the modern workplace. Graduates find successful careers in a wide array of industries and environments, working in the areas of human resources, organization development, consulting, training, nonprofit management and more.

A background in political science is central to any profession that requires an understanding of human behavior, the relationships between people and governments or the analysis and communication of information about public problems. Graduates in the subject possess analytical skills, administrative competence and communication abilities that are valued in a wide spectrum of potential career areas: all levels of government, law, business, international and nonprofit organizations, political campaign management, journalism, research and education. Knowledge of a foreign language can further augment career opportunities. Many undergraduates translate the major into further education in graduate school in political science or related humanities and social science disciplines. Learn more about careers in political science from the American Political Science Association.

Psychology combines the study of people with a focus on the analysis and interpretation of data, which provides an excellent foundation for a wide range of careers. Psychology students follow many different paths after they graduate. Some directly enter jobs in business, social services, and other fields. Some go on to professional training in medicine or law. Some choose to earn master’s degrees in education, social work, or counseling. Others enter advanced programs of study in psychology and related disciplines. Learn more about careers in psychology from the American Psychological Association.

The RTVF major provides a foundation for students to work in a dynamic, innovative field. They study as well as make media; they also are able to analyze the critical trends that have shaped and continue to transform the industry. Graduates possess analytical, creative and practical skills that are valued across media industries and beyond. They work in media content creation, production and post-production in film, television and radio, arts and entertainment management, and media analysis and media-related fields. Undergraduates also use the major to pursue graduate work in media forms, writing and cultural studies.

As the broadest of all of the social sciences, the discipline of sociology provides an exceptionally wide range of practical and marketable skills. Sociology majors receive training in critical analysis, statistical methods, theory, and field research. They possess critical thinking skills and multi-cultural and global understandings, math and science aptitude, and excellent written expression that is useful for success in a range of careers. Majoring in sociology is an excellent pathway to a career in law, medicine and public health, consulting, finance, non-profit and public administration, social network research, culture and the arts. Learn more about careers in sociology from the American Sociological Association.