Pregraduate Study
With the Pregraduate Study post-baccalaureate certificate programs, SCS offers a unique opportunity to create a custom course of study to prepare for graduate school, professional school and PhD programs. Students will collaborate with an adviser to develop an individualized academic plan of four to eight courses that capitalizes on their backgrounds and perfectly suits their academic goals, guided by the admissions requirements of their graduate programs of interest. Students will have the opportunity to strengthen their academic transcript, show recent academic success and secure current letters of recommendation from NU faculty. This certificate is a credential that will enable students to stand out in their application for advanced study.
Program Details
Time to Completion
- Two quarters to two years, based on your goals and number of courses
Location
- Courses are available on the Evanston and Chicago campuses of Northwestern
Times
- Evening and Saturday courses
Areas of Specialization
Create a plan of study to suit your academic requirements, choosing courses in the following subjects:
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Biological Sciences
- Business
- Communication Studies
- Communication Systems
- Economics
- English and American Literature
- Environmental Policy
- History
- Information Systems
- Journalism
- Mathematics
- Organization Behavior
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Radio/TV/Film
- Sociology
Interdisciplinary Study
Law School Preparation
There is no one academic path to law school, but courses at SCS will equip you with strong writing and verbal communication skills, an understanding of society and human nature, and critical and creative thinking skills. Students preparing for law school study subject areas such as English, history, political science, communication studies and psychology. Collaborate with an adviser to develop an individualized academic plan (consisting of four to eight courses) that capitalizes on your background and suits your academic goals.
Education Master's Preparation
If you are planning to enter a master's program for a career in elementary or secondary education, SCS can help you get started. Based on your undergraduate course work and the requirements of your chosen program, you can take general education courses to prepare for graduate study while satisfying some teacher certification requirements. In Illinois, the requirements for certification are determined by the certifying institution. First, examine the general education requirements of the graduate programs to which you plan to apply. Then, meet with an academic adviser at SCS who can help you create a customized course of study.
If you are a career changer interested in a secondary education graduate program, you will need to satisfy the course equivalents of a major. In many cases, you can fulfill those requirements for an eligible major at SCS. Study the requirements of the graduate program that you are interested in before you choose any courses at SCS. Requirements vary from school to school.