TABLE OF CONTENTSUndergraduate .............................................................................................. 6

Privacy & Disclosures .................................................................................. 9

Admission ................................................................................................... 10

Financial Aid .............................................................................................. 14

Financial Aid Application ................................................................... 14

Financial Aid Eligibility ....................................................................... 14

Tuition & Payment ..................................................................................... 16

Tuition Benefit ..................................................................................... 16

Withdrawal Refunds ........................................................................... 16

Programs A-Z ............................................................................................. 18

Requirements and Policies ....................................................................... 21

Courses and Credit ............................................................................. 21

Enrollment ........................................................................................... 22

Exams and Attendance ............................................................... 22

Withdrawal .................................................................................... 22

Grades .................................................................................................. 23

Graduation & Degrees ......................................................................... 23

Graduation Honors ...................................................................... 23

Student Status .................................................................................... 24

Academic Standing ...................................................................... 24

Disciplinary Actions ..................................................................... 25

Returning to the University ......................................................... 25

Transcripts .......................................................................................... 25

Transfer Credit .................................................................................... 25

Test Credit .................................................................................... 25

Transfer Types ............................................................................. 26

Undergraduate Registration Requirement ......................................... 26

Additional Baccalaureate Options ............................................................ 28

Accelerated Bachelors ........................................................................ 28

Certificates .......................................................................................... 28

Kellogg Certificates ...................................................................... 28

Financial Economics Certificate .......................................... 28

Managerial Analytics Certificate .......................................... 28

McCormick Certificates ............................................................... 29

Medill Certificates ........................................................................ 29

Programs & Centers Certificates ................................................ 29

Leadership ............................................................................. 29

Sustainability and Energy ..................................................... 29

SESP Certificates ......................................................................... 30

Minors .................................................................................................. 30

Bienen Minors .............................................................................. 30

Programs & Centers Minors ........................................................ 31

Transportation and Logistics Minor .................................... 31

SoC Minors ................................................................................... 32

McCormick Minors ....................................................................... 32

WCAS Minors ............................................................................... 32

Second Majors .................................................................................... 33

Bienen Second Majors ................................................................ 33

WCAS Second Majors .................................................................. 33

Dual Graduate & Undergraduate Degrees ................................................ 34

Honors Program in Medical Education ............................................. 34

Premedical Scholars Program ........................................................... 34

Dual Bachelor's Degrees ............................................................................ 35

Study Outside Northwestern ..................................................................... 37

Undergraduate Research ........................................................................... 38

Special Programs & Courses .................................................................... 39

College Transition Programs .............................................................. 39

Innovation in News and Storytelling .................................................. 39

Military Programs ............................................................................... 39

Naval Science .............................................................................. 39

Academic Calendar .................................................................................... 41

Academic Integrity ..................................................................................... 43

Academic Support ..................................................................................... 44

Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music ................................................ 45

Composition and Music Technology ................................................. 47

Composition Major ...................................................................... 48

Composition Minor ...................................................................... 49

Music Technology Minor ............................................................. 49

Conducting and Ensembles ............................................................... 49

Jazz ...................................................................................................... 49

Jazz Studies Major ...................................................................... 50

Music Cognition .................................................................................. 50

Music Core .......................................................................................... 51

Music Education ................................................................................. 52

Music Education Major ............................................................... 53

Music Education Minor ............................................................... 54

Music Studies for Nonmajors ............................................................ 54

Music Technology ............................................................................... 56

Music Theory and Cognition .............................................................. 56

Music Cognition Major ................................................................ 56

Music Cognition Minor ................................................................ 57

Music Theory Major ..................................................................... 57

Music Theory Minor ..................................................................... 57

Musicology .......................................................................................... 57

Musicology Major ........................................................................ 59

Musicology Minor ........................................................................ 59

Piano .................................................................................................... 59

Piano Major .................................................................................. 60

String Instruments .............................................................................. 61

String Instruments Major ............................................................ 62

Voice and Opera .................................................................................. 63

Voice and Opera Major ................................................................ 64

Winds and Percussion Instruments ................................................... 64

Winds and Percussion Instruments Major ................................. 65

School of Communication ......................................................................... 67

Communication Sciences and Disorders .......................................... 71

Human Communication Sciences Major .................................... 72

Human Communication Sciences Minor .................................... 73

Communication Studies ..................................................................... 73

Communication Studies Major ................................................... 77

Dance ................................................................................................... 78

General Communication ..................................................................... 78

Human Communication Sciences ..................................................... 78

Performance Studies .......................................................................... 78

Performance Studies Major ........................................................ 80

Performance Studies Minor ........................................................ 80

Radio/Television/Film ......................................................................... 81

Film and Media Studies Minor .................................................... 83

Radio/Television/Film Major ....................................................... 84

Sound Design Minor .................................................................... 84

Theatre ................................................................................................. 85

Dance Major ................................................................................. 91

Dance Minor ................................................................................. 92

Music Theatre Certificate ............................................................ 93

Theatre Major ............................................................................... 94

Theatre Minor ............................................................................... 95

School of Education and Social Policy .................................................... 97

Human Development and Psychological Services ........................... 99

Human Development and Psychological Services Major ........ 100

Learning and Organizational Change .............................................. 101

Learning and Organizational Change Major ............................. 102

Learning Sciences ............................................................................ 103

Learning Sciences Major ........................................................... 105

Secondary Teaching ......................................................................... 106

Social Policy ...................................................................................... 112

Social Policy Major .................................................................... 113

Summer Field Studies Program ....................................................... 114

Civic Engagement Certificate ........................................................... 114

Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science ....... 116

Applied Mathematics ........................................................................ 120

Biomedical Engineering .................................................................... 121

Biomedical Engineering Degree ................................................ 123

Chemical Engineering ....................................................................... 124

Chemical Engineering Degree ................................................... 126

Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering Minor ................ 126

Civil and Environmental Engineering ............................................... 127

Civil Engineering Degree ............................................................ 134

Environmental Engineering Degree ........................................... 135

Environmental Engineering Minor ............................................. 136

Architectural Engineering and Design Certificate .................... 136

Computer Engineering ...................................................................... 137

Computer Science ............................................................................ 137

Design Engineering ........................................................................... 137

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science ................................ 137

Computer Engineering Degree .................................................. 144

Computer Science Degree ......................................................... 145

Electrical Engineering Degree ................................................... 146

Computer Science Minor (McCormick School of Engineering)...................................................................................................... 148

Engineering Design ........................................................................... 148

Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics ........................... 148

Applied Mathematics Degree .................................................... 149

Environmental Engineering .............................................................. 149

Farley Center for Entrepreneurship .................................................. 149

Entrepreneurship Minor ............................................................. 150

General Engineering .......................................................................... 150

Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences ........................ 153

Industrial Engineering Degree ................................................... 155

Segal Design Institute ...................................................................... 156

Manufacturing and Design Engineering Degree ....................... 157

Segal Design Certificate ............................................................ 158

Materials Science and Engineering ................................................. 158

Materials Science and Engineering Degree .............................. 161

Mechanical Engineering ................................................................... 162

Mechanical Engineering Degree ............................................... 165

Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated MarketingCommunications ...................................................................................... 167

Integrated Marketing Communications ........................................... 169

Integrated Marketing Communications Certificate .................. 170

Journalism ......................................................................................... 170

Journalism Degree ..................................................................... 173

Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences .............. 175

African American Studies ................................................................ 180

African American Studies Major ............................................... 182

African American Studies Minor ............................................... 184

African Studies ................................................................................. 185

African Studies Adjunct Major .................................................. 186

African Studies Minor ................................................................ 186

American Studies .............................................................................. 186

American Studies Major ............................................................ 187

Anthropology ..................................................................................... 187

Anthropology Major ................................................................... 191

Anthropology Minor ................................................................... 193

Arabic ................................................................................................. 193

Art History ......................................................................................... 193

Art History Major ....................................................................... 196

Art History Minor ....................................................................... 196

Art Theory and Practice ................................................................... 196

Art Theory and Practice Major .................................................. 197

Asian American Studies ................................................................... 197

Asian American Studies Major ................................................. 199

Asian American Studies Minor ................................................. 199

Asian Languages and Cultures ........................................................ 199

Asian Languages and Cultures Major ...................................... 204

Asian Humanities Minor ............................................................ 204

Advanced Asian Languages Minor ........................................... 205

Asian Studies .................................................................................... 205

Asian Studies Major .................................................................. 205

Asian Studies Minor .................................................................. 206

Astronomy ......................................................................................... 206

Biological Sciences ........................................................................... 206

Biological Sciences Major ......................................................... 209

Biological Sciences Second Major for ISP Students ............... 210

Business Institutions ........................................................................ 210

Business Institutions Minor ...................................................... 211

Catholic Studies ................................................................................ 212

Chemistry .......................................................................................... 212

Chemistry Major ........................................................................ 215

Chemistry Minor ........................................................................ 217

Chemistry Second Major for ISP Students .............................. 217

Chemistry BA/MS ...................................................................... 218

Chicago Field Studies ....................................................................... 218

Chinese .............................................................................................. 219

Classics ............................................................................................. 219

Classics Major ........................................................................... 221

Classics Minor Concentrations ................................................. 222

Cognitive Science ............................................................................. 222

Cognitive Science Major ............................................................ 223

Cognitive Science Minor ........................................................... 225

Comparative Literary Studies ........................................................... 225

Comparative Literary Studies Major ......................................... 227

World Literature Minor ............................................................... 227

Comparative Literary Studies BA/MA ....................................... 228

Computer Science ............................................................................ 228

Computer Science Major ........................................................... 228

Computer Science Minor (Weinberg College) .......................... 230

Computer Science Second Major for ISP Students ................. 230

Critical Theory ................................................................................... 231

Critical Theory Minor ................................................................. 231

Earth and Planetary Sciences .......................................................... 231

Earth and Planetary Sciences Major ........................................ 233

Earth and Planetary Sciences Minor ........................................ 235

Earth and Planetary Sciences Second Major for ISP Students...................................................................................................... 235

Economics ......................................................................................... 235

Economics Major ....................................................................... 238

Economics Minor ....................................................................... 239

Economics BA/MA ..................................................................... 239

English ............................................................................................... 239

English and American Literature Major .................................... 243

Creative Writing Major ............................................................... 243

English and American Literature Minor .................................... 244

Creative Writing Sequence-Based Minor .................................. 244

Creative Writing Cross-Genre Minor .......................................... 244

Environmental Policy and Culture ................................................... 244

Environmental Policy and Culture Minor .................................. 245

Environmental Sciences ................................................................... 245

Environmental Sciences Major ................................................. 246

Environmental Sciences Second Major for ISP Students ........ 248

Ethics and Civic Life ......................................................................... 248

Brady Scholars Program ........................................................... 248

First-Year Seminars .......................................................................... 248

French and Italian ............................................................................. 248

French Major .............................................................................. 253

French Minor .............................................................................. 255

Italian Literature and Culture Major .......................................... 255

Italian Minor ............................................................................... 256

French BA/MA ............................................................................ 256

Gender and Sexuality Studies .......................................................... 256

Gender and Sexuality Studies Major ........................................ 258

Gender and Sexuality Studies Minor ........................................ 258

General Liberal Arts .......................................................................... 258

Geography ......................................................................................... 259

Geography Adjunct Major ......................................................... 260

Geography Minor ....................................................................... 260

German .............................................................................................. 260

German Major ............................................................................ 264

German Minor ............................................................................ 265

German Studies Minor .............................................................. 266

Business German Minor ............................................................ 266

Global Health Studies ....................................................................... 266

Global Health Studies Adjunct Major ....................................... 268

Global Health Studies Minor ..................................................... 268

Greek .................................................................................................. 268

Hebrew ............................................................................................... 268

Hindi ................................................................................................... 268

History ............................................................................................... 268

History Major ............................................................................. 273

History Minor ............................................................................. 276

Humanities ........................................................................................ 276

Humanities Minor ...................................................................... 278

Kaplan Humanities Scholars Program ..................................... 278

Integrated Science ............................................................................ 278

Integrated Science Major .......................................................... 279

International Studies ........................................................................ 279

International Studies Adjunct Major ......................................... 280

International Studies Minor ....................................................... 281

Italian ................................................................................................. 281

Japanese ........................................................................................... 281

Jewish Studies .................................................................................. 281

Jewish Studies Major ................................................................ 283

Hebrew Studies Minor ............................................................... 284

Jewish Studies Minor ................................................................ 284

Korean ................................................................................................ 284

Latin ................................................................................................... 284

Latin American and Caribbean Studies ........................................... 284

Latin American and Caribbean Studies Minor ......................... 285

Latina and Latino Studies ................................................................ 285

Latina and Latino Studies Major .............................................. 286

Latina and Latino Studies Minor .............................................. 287

Legal Studies .................................................................................... 287

Legal Studies Major ................................................................... 288

Legal Studies Minor ................................................................... 289

Linguistics ......................................................................................... 289

Linguistics Major ....................................................................... 291

Linguistics Minor ....................................................................... 291

Linguistics BA/MA ..................................................................... 291

Materials Science ............................................................................. 291

Materials Science Major ............................................................ 292

Materials Science Minor ........................................................... 293

Materials Science Second Major for ISP Students .................. 293

Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences .............................. 294

MMSS Adjunct Major ................................................................ 295

Mathematics ..................................................................................... 295

Mathematics Major ................................................................... 300

Mathematics Minor ................................................................... 302

Mathematics Second Major for ISP Students .......................... 302

Mathematics Second Major or Minor for MMSS Students ...... 303

Middle East and North African Studies ........................................... 303

Middle East and North African Studies Major .......................... 306

Middle East and North African Studies Minor .......................... 306

Molecular Biosciences ..................................................................... 307

Neurobiology ..................................................................................... 307

Neuroscience Major ................................................................... 308

Neuroscience Second Major for ISP Students ......................... 311

Neuroscience .................................................................................... 312

Persian ............................................................................................... 312

Philosophy ......................................................................................... 312

Philosophy Major ....................................................................... 315

Philosophy Minor ....................................................................... 315

Physics and Astronomy ................................................................... 316

Physics Major ............................................................................ 319

Physics Minor ............................................................................ 321

Physics Second Major for ISP Students .................................. 321

Political Science ............................................................................... 322

Political Science Major .............................................................. 326

Political Science Minor .............................................................. 328

Portuguese ........................................................................................ 329

Psychology ........................................................................................ 329

Psychology Major ...................................................................... 332

Psychology Minor ...................................................................... 334

Religious Studies .............................................................................. 334

Religious Studies Major ............................................................ 337

Religious Studies Minor ............................................................ 337

Catholic Studies Minor .............................................................. 337

Russian .............................................................................................. 337

Science in Human Culture ............................................................... 337

Science in Human Culture Adjunct Major ................................ 339

Science in Human Culture Minor .............................................. 339

Slavic Languages and Literatures ................................................... 339

Slavic Languages and Literatures Major .................................. 342

Russian and East European Studies Minor .............................. 344

Sociology ........................................................................................... 344

Sociology Major ......................................................................... 347

Sociological Research Minor .................................................... 348

Sociological Studies Minor ....................................................... 348

Spanish & Portuguese ...................................................................... 348

Spanish Major ............................................................................ 354

Spanish Minor ............................................................................ 354

Portuguese Language and Lusophone Cultures Minor ........... 355

Statistics ........................................................................................... 355

Statistics Major .......................................................................... 357

Statistics Minor .......................................................................... 358

Swahili ............................................................................................... 358

Turkish ............................................................................................... 358

Urdu ................................................................................................... 358

Writing Program ................................................................................ 358

Yiddish ............................................................................................... 359

Index ......................................................................................................... 360

6        Undergraduate

UNDERGRADUATEA private, nonprofit institution founded in 1851, NorthwesternUniversity is recognized nationally and internationally for the qualityof its educational programs at all levels. Innovative teaching andpioneering research take place in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinaryenvironment that combines the resources of a major research universitywith the level of individual attention of a small college.

Approximately 20,000 full- and part-time students are enrolled onNorthwestern’s lakefront campuses in Evanston and Chicago andbranch campus in Qatar. More than 8,300 undergraduates study at theUniversity’s largest campus in Evanston.

The University’s 3,300 full-time faculty members range from Nobel Prizelaureates to Tony Award winners. In their ranks are members of theNational Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering,the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Councilof Learned Societies, and numerous other honorary and professionalsocieties.

The some quarter-million alumni include Pulitzer and Nobel Prizelaureates, Academy Award winners, and leaders in education,government, science, law, technology, medicine, media, and otherdomains.

A Historical OverviewA year after nine Chicagoans met to establish a university “of the highestorder of excellence” to serve the people of America’s Northwest Territory,Northwestern University was officially incorporated in 1851. In 1853 thefounders purchased a 379-acre tract of farmland along Lake Michigan12 miles north of Chicago as a site for the new university. The town thatgrew up around Northwestern was named Evanston in honor of JohnEvans, one of the University founders.

Northwestern began classes in fall 1855 with two faculty members and10 male students. In 1869 it enrolled its first female students, therebybecoming a pioneer in the higher education of women. By 1900 theUniversity was composed of a liberal arts college and six professionalschools, including the schools of law and medicine, with a total of 2,700students. In the 20th century, schools were added in management,engineering, education, journalism, and continuing studies. With theestablishment of the Graduate School in 1910, Northwestern adopted theGerman university model of providing graduate as well as undergraduateinstruction and stressing research along with teaching. Recent yearshave seen a proliferation of academic programs and the opening of theQatar campus.

Today, with the academic divisions listed on pages 7 to 9, Northwesternenjoys a position as one of the country’s leading private researchuniversities.

The Undergraduate ExperienceAcademic ExcellenceDespite their relatively small numbers, Northwestern undergraduatesenjoy a great range of educational choices, including more than 200formal academic concentrations as well as opportunities to do researchand special projects, study abroad, and pursue internships. Studentsfrequently complete two majors or two degrees, and some construct andreceive approval for their own programs of study. About three-fourthsof Northwestern’s undergraduates engage in internships, practicums,

paid cooperative education programs, applied research, study abroad,and other off-campus experiences, often for academic credit. All benefitfrom a level of faculty involvement unusual for undergraduates at majoruniversities, with faculty teaching a large proportion of classes as well asinviting students to participate in research.

At the heart of a Northwestern education is the belief that a solidfoundation in the liberal arts is essential, regardless of one’s futureplans. Students in all six undergraduate schools may take courses inscience, mathematics and technology, individual and social behavior,historical studies, the humanities, and fine and performing arts. Moreover,Northwestern’s emphasis on effective communication, regardless offield of study, fosters the ability to think analytically and write and speakclearly and persuasively.

Northwestern’s many interdisciplinary research centers have profoundimplications for undergraduate education. Their research often alterstheory and practice within an academic discipline and leads to newcurricula. More immediately, many research centers have specialprograms for undergraduates, who may apply for research grants tofund independent scholarly projects. In recent years many new researchcenters have been established, especially in science and technology.See research.northwestern.edu for a list of the University’s researchcenters.

Other academic resources available to Northwestern students includethe 10th-largest library collection among US private universities(www.library.northwestern.edu). Northwestern University InformationTechnology supports students’ academic needs with extensive onlineservices, computer labs, and wired and wireless access from nearlyanywhere on campus (it.northwestern.edu)

Underpinning the breadth of a Northwestern education is the quartersystem, which gives students the opportunity to take more courses thanunder a traditional semester system. Most undergraduates attend forthree quarters each year (fall, winter, and spring). They typically take 4courses each quarter and 12 courses in an academic year.

Outside the ClassroomIn its extracurricular offerings as well as in its academic programs,Northwestern encourages its students to develop holistically and toprepare for life in a diverse, interconnected, and rapidly changing world.

Supported by the Center for Student Involvement, the more than 500extracurricular groups include organizations devoted to service oncampus and in the community, cultural awareness and support, musicaland theatrical performance, entertainment programming, politicalactivism, career preparation, and countless mutual interests. The full listis available at northwestern.campuslabs.com/engage.

A charter member of and the only private university in the Big Tenconference, Northwestern sponsors 19 intercollegiate athletic teams(8 men’s and 11 women’s), as well as intramural, club, informal, andinstructional sport and fitness programs. Fitness centers provide state-of-the-art facilities for exercise and recreation. Northwestern students evenhave their own beach and the opportunity to take sailing lessons.

About 4,000 undergraduates live in University-owned on-campusstudent residences that range widely in size, age, character, and suitearrangements; another 800 live in fraternity or sorority houses, and theremainder live off campus. Services available to undergraduates includecounseling and psychological services, healthcare, career advising, andassistance in identifying employment, internship, and external-fundingopportunities. Specialized offices and resource centers serve students

Northwestern University           7

with disabilities, LGBTQA students, international students, members ofvarious religious denominations, women, and African American, Asian/Asian American, and Hispanic/Latino students. For all programs offeredby the Division of Student Affairs, see northwestern.edu/studentaffairs.

In addition to enjoying numerous opportunities on campus, studentsbenefit from Northwestern’s location in the first suburb north of Chicago.Downtown Evanston offers restaurants, shops, and a multiplex movietheater, and the cultural, entertainment, and sporting events of America’sthird-largest city are just a short train ride away.

Student DemographicsNorthwestern recruits students of demonstrated academic achievementfrom diverse social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. More than 90percent of applicants rank in the top 10 percent of their high schoolclasses, and Northwestern’s National Merit Scholar enrollment rate hasrecently ranked among the nation’s highest. About one in ten applicantsis accepted.

All 50 states and more than 70 countries are represented among theundergraduate student body. International students make up roughly 10percent of the class of 2019. More than 43 percent of the first-year classcome from underrepresented backgrounds. About 62 percent of studentsreceive financial assistance.

Both the federal government and the National Collegiate AthleticAssociation use as a measurement for reporting purposes thegraduation rates of entering classes over six continuous years.Such rates at Northwestern have remained above 90 percent since1991–92. See www.registrar.northwestern.edu/academic_records/enrollment_and_graduation_statistics.html.

Campuses and SchoolsThe six undergraduate schools offer the programs and courses ofinstruction described in their respective sections of this catalog.Undergraduate study may lead to the bachelor’s degree as a finalacademic goal or to graduate or professional study.

Northwestern is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission(www.ncahlc.org). Some schools have additional accreditation, as notedin the following sections.

Evanston CampusThe schools and other institutional divisions, in order of establishment,are as follows:

• The Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences(1851) offers the degree of bachelor of arts. Majors and minorsare available through departments and interdisciplinary programsspanning the arts and humanities, foreign languages, mathematicsand statistics, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. ThroughNorthwestern University School of Professional Studies, WeinbergCollege also offers the degrees of bachelor of philosophy andbachelor of science in general studies.

• The School of Communication (1878), with departments ofcommunication sciences and disorders, communication studies,performance studies, radio/television/film, and theater, offers abachelor of science in communication degree and a bachelor ofarts in communication degree. Through Northwestern UniversitySchool of Professional Studies, the School of Communication offersthe bachelor of philosophy in communication. The school alsooffers the degrees of master of science in communication, health

communication, leadership for creative enterprises, nonclinicalaudiology, and speech, language, and learning as well as the doctorof audiology degree. Its programs are accredited by the AmericanSpeech-Language-Hearing Association and the National Associationof Schools of Theatre.

• The Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music (1895) offers thedegrees of bachelor of music, bachelor of arts in music, and bachelorof science in music. In its graduate division the school offers themaster of music and doctor of musical arts degrees. The school isaccredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

• The J. L. Kellogg School of Management (1908) offers undergraduatecertificates in financial economics and managerial analyticsas well as the master of business administration degree. MBAstudents may choose from many majors, which are listedat kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/academics/majors. In additionto the full-time MBA program, Kellogg offers a part-time eveningor weekend MBA program on Northwestern’s Chicago campus, anexecutive MBA in Evanston and Miami, and international executiveMBA programs in Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Thereis also a PhD program; see kellogg.northwestern.edu/programs/doctoralprogram. In addition, a wide range of nondegree executiveeducation courses are offered at the school’s James L. Allen Centeron the Evanston campus as well as in Miami. Kellogg is accredited bythe American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business.

• The Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science(1909) offers the bachelor of science degree in applied mathematics,biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering,computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering,environmental engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing anddesign engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanicalengineering, and medical engineering (only for students enrolled inthe Honors Program in Medical Education). All departments offeradvanced study for graduate students. The McCormick School alsooffers master’s degrees in analytics, biotechnology, engineering man-agement, information technology, product design and developmentmanagement, and project management. Select McCormick programsare accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of theAccreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

• The Graduate School (1910) administers all advanced programsleading to the degrees of doctor of philosophy, master of arts,master of fine arts, master of public health, and master of science.Degree requirements and descriptions of individual graduatedegree programs and curricula can be found through the school’swebsite, tgs.northwestern.edu.

• Summer Session (1920) provides summer programs forundergraduate, graduate, and visiting students.

• The Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated MarketingCommunications (1921) offers the bachelor of science degree injournalism, master of science degrees in journalism and integratedmarketing communications, and an undergraduate certificate inintegrated marketing communications.

• The School of Education and Social Policy (1926) offers the bachelorof science degree in education and social policy with concentrationsin human development and psychological services, learning andorganizational change, secondary teaching, learning sciences,and social policy. It offers master of science degree programs ineducation (MSEd) with concentrations in elementary, secondary, andadvanced teaching; in higher education administration and policy(MSHE); and in learning and organizational change (MSLOC). Schoolprograms administered by the Graduate School offer MA and PhD

8        Undergraduate

degrees in human development and social policy and in learningsciences. Its teacher education programs are accredited by theIllinois State Board of Education.

Chicago CampusSchools and institutional divisions on the Chicago campus, in order ofestablishment, are as follows:

• The Feinberg School of Medicine (1859) offers the degrees of doctorof medicine, doctor of physical therapy, master of medical science,master in prosthetics-orthotics, and bachelor of science in medicine.High school graduates accepted for the Honors Program in MedicalEducation can receive a Feinberg MD degree seven or eight yearsafter they enter Weinberg College, the McCormick School, or theSchool of Communication. The Feinberg and McCormick Schoolscooperate in biomedical engineering programs; joint degree programswith the Graduate School and the Kellogg School offer an MD degreeas well as MA, MS, MPH, MBA, and PhD degrees. The FeinbergSchool has accreditation from the Liaison Committee on MedicalEducation, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education,American Psychological Association, American Board for Certificationin Prosthetics and Orthotics, American Physical Therapy Association,and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

• The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (1859) offers the degreesof juris doctor (JD), master of laws (LLM), master of studies and LLMin international human rights, LLM in taxation, master of sciencein law, and doctor of juridical science. An accelerated JD programallows select motivated students to complete the JD in two calendaryears. The Pritzker School and the Kellogg School offer a joint degreeprogram allowing students to earn both JD and MBA degrees in threeyears. Another joint program with Kellogg permits international andforeign-trained students to earn an LLM degree and a certificate inbusiness administration in one year. Students also may participatein a five-year program to earn a JD and a PhD in one of the socialsciences. In addition, the Pritzker School offers an LLM degree toexecutive students in Seoul, South Korea; Madrid, Spain; and Tel Aviv,Israel. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association andthe Association for American Law Schools.

• Northwestern University School of Professional Studies (1933)is the continuing education division of the University, providingadults an opportunity to return to school part-time or full-time onevenings and weekends. Classes are offered on the Chicago andEvanston campuses, in the Chicago Loop, and online. In additionto postbaccalaureate and professional development certificatesand master’s degrees, the school offers courses leading to thedegrees of bachelor of philosophy and bachelor of science ingeneral studies, conferred by Weinberg College; and the degreeof bachelor of philosophy in communication, conferred by theSchool of Communication. For a complete list of degrees awarded,please visit www.registrar.northwestern.edu/academic_records/nu_degrees_awarded.html. SPS administers Summer Sessionprograms for the University and is the home of the Center for PublicSafety and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Northwestern University in QatarNorthwestern’s 12th school and only overseas campus is based inEducation City, Doha, Qatar. In addition to liberal arts instruction, theschool offers bachelor of science degrees conferred by the Medill Schoolof Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications and theSchool of Communication. For more information about NorthwesternUniversity in Qatar, please visit www.qatar.northwestern.edu.

Northwestern University           9

PRIVACY & DISCLOSURESThis catalog for the academic year beginning in Fall 2018 containsUniversity regulations and information about the programs and coursesoffered by the Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts andSciences; School of Communication; School of Education and SocialPolicy; Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and AppliedScience; Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated MarketingCommunications; and Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music and aboutcross-school undergraduate programs. Failure to read this catalog doesnot excuse a student from knowing and complying with its content.

Northwestern University reserves the right to change without notice anystatement in this catalog concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies,tuition, fees, curricula, and courses. In exceptional circumstances,Northwestern University reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to waiveany documentation normally required for admission. It also reserves theright to admit or deny a student admission whenever it believes that ithas sufficient evidence for the decision.

Access to Student RecordsUnder the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, all students havecertain rights with regard to their educational records. Northwestern’sstudent records policy is available at www.registrar.northwestern.edu/academic_records/FERPA_policy.html.

Students’ rights under FERPA include

• Inspect and review their educational records at NorthwesternUniversity

• Request an amendment of their records to ensure that the recordsare not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of privacy orother rights

• Consent to release or to restrict disclosure of personally identifiableinformation contained in their educational records, except undercertain limited circumstances when, by law, consent is not required

• File a complaint with the US Department of Education concerningalleged failures by Northwestern University to comply with FERPArequirements

The University’s Use of EmailEmail is the University’s mechanism for official communication withstudents, and Northwestern has the right to expect that students will readofficial email in a timely fashion.

All students are assigned a “u.northwestern.edu” address that ismaintained in the University email directory. Northwestern provides aconvenient mechanism for students who want to forward email from theUniversity address to another email address of their choice, but studentsassume the risk of forwarding email. Failure to receive or read Universitycommunication that was sent to the “u.northwestern.edu” address doesnot absolve a student from knowing and complying with the content ofthe communication.

Faculty may use email for communicating with students registered intheir classes so that all students will be able to comply with courserequirements.

Title IX ComplianceNorthwestern University does not discriminate or permit discriminationby any member of its community against any individual on the basis ofrace, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation,gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age,disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information, orany other classification protected by law in matters of admissions,employment, housing, or services or in the educational programs oractivities it operates. Further prohibited by law is discrimination againstany employee and/or job applicant who chooses to inquire about,discuss, or disclose their own compensation or the compensation ofanother employee or applicant. Harassment, whether verbal, physical,or visual, that is based on any of these characteristics is a form ofdiscrimination.

Northwestern University complies with federal and state laws thatprohibit discrimination based on the protected categories listedabove, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, whichprohibits discrimination based on sex (including sexual misconduct)in the University’s educational programs and activities. In addition,Northwestern provides reasonable accommodations to qualifiedapplicants, students, and employees with disabilities and to individualswho are pregnant.

Any alleged violations of this policy or questions with respect tonondiscrimination or reasonable accommodations should be directed to:

Northwestern’s Director of Equal Opportunity and Access and Section504 Coordinator1800 Sherman Avenue, Suite 4500Evanston, Illinois 60208847-491-7458eeo@northwestern.edu

Any alleged violations of this policy or questions with respect to sexualmisconduct or sexual harassment should be directed to:

Northwestern’s Title IX Coordinator1800 Sherman Avenue, Suite 4500Evanston, Illinois 60208847-467-6871TitleIXCoordinator@northwestern.edu

A person may also file a complaint with the Department of Education’sOffice for Civil Rights regarding an alleged violation of Title IX by visitingwww2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html or calling800-421-3481.

10        Admission

ADMISSIONAdmissionGeneral Requirements for AdmissionNorthwestern University attracts and enrolls a student body of highability that reflects a variety of talents, ideas, backgrounds, andexperiences, thereby contributing to the diversity of the campuscommunity.

Candidates for admission should demonstrate a level of performancein curricular and extracurricular areas that indicates they will be ableto succeed in a competitive academic environment. In the selection ofstudents, careful attention is given to the ability of each candidate asevidenced by academic records and the results of entrance tests aswell as by character and personal qualities. The University attempts toselect students who are committed to scholarship and who have showna willingness to become involved in their expressed interest areas. Indetermining whether to accept a candidate, the University considers

• Secondary school record• College record (required for transfer candidates)• Recommendations from school officials and other persons who

have information pertinent to the candidate’s probable success atNorthwestern

• Results of required tests (All candidates must submit either SATor ACT scores. The writing sections for these tests are optional.Candidates for certain special admission programs and all home-schooled applicants must submit the SAT Subject Tests specifiedbelow. SAT Subject Tests are optional for other candidates.)

• Music audition (required of Bienen School of Music candidates)• Candidate’s written statements• Any other information received by the University that bears on the

candidate’s readiness for study at Northwestern

English Proficiency for International ApplicantsIn addition to meeting all regular admission requirements, internationalstudents are required to present evidence of their ability to speak, read,and write the English language. International applicants whose firstlanguage is not English or whose schooling has not been in English arerequired to submit the results of either the Test of English as a ForeignLanguage (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System(IELTS).

SAT Subject TestsRequired for Special Admission Programs and Home-SchooledApplicants

• Honors Program in Medical Education: Mathematics Level 2 andChemistry

• Integrated Science Program: Mathematics Level 2, Chemistry orPhysics, and an additional science

• Home-schooled applicants: Mathematics Level 1 or 2 and two otherSAT Subject Tests of the applicant’s choice from different subjectareas (i.e., not two science, two foreign language, or two history, etc.)

• All other applicants: SAT Subject Tests are optional.

Required SubjectsA broad academic experience in high school is the best preparation foradmission to Northwestern. Whatever fields of study students follow, the

best foundation consists of reading, writing, and mathematics. The valueof thorough training in fundamental subjects cannot be overemphasized.

In considering the academic record of a candidate for admission, theOffice of Undergraduate Admission notes the subjects studied, the rigorof coursework taken, and the grades received. The student’s recordshould include a minimum of 16 units. (A unit represents a coursestudied for one year.)

The subject recommendations in the following list represent theminimum requirements for entrance to the University. Allowances aremade to permit students to pursue special areas of academic interest.Most applicants present more academic subjects than the minimum.

Recommended UnitsWeinberg College of Arts and Sciences; School of Communication;School of Education and Social Policy; Medill School of Journalism,Media, Integrated Marketing Communications; and Bienen School ofMusic: 16 units, divided among the following academic areas:

• English: 4 units• Foreign language: 2 to 4 units• Mathematics: 3 to 4 units• Laboratory science: 2 to 3 units• History/social studies: 2 to 4 units• Electives: 1 to 3 units in the above academic areas

Students preparing for college are strongly advised to take four years ofwork in English with as much emphasis on composition as the curriculumallows. Two units of the same foreign language should be taken; three orfour years are strongly recommended.

The McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science requiresa sound secondary school education as described above, with strongpreparation in mathematics and science. Specifically recommended are

• Mathematics: 3½ to 4 units (the minimum requirements formathematics include algebra [2 units], plane geometry [1 unit], andtrigonometry [½ unit]; many entering McCormick first-year studentswill have taken calculus [1 unit])

• Science: 2 units (credit in both chemistry and physics isrecommended)

Credit in other subjects should bring the total to 16 units or more,including 4 units of English and work in social studies and foreignlanguages.

Admission NotificationNorthwestern offers incoming first-year candidates a choice of twonotification plans, Early Decision and Regular Decision. Early Decision isa binding admission commitment. Candidates accepted to Northwesternunder Early Decision must withdraw all other university applications.

The table below outlines these plans, the notification plans for transferstudents, and the financial aid application procedure, including deadlinesand the forms available through the College Scholarship Service.

Admission ProcedureTo be considered for admission to Northwestern, candidates mustcomplete the following steps:

• Complete the Common Application or the Coalition Application.You may apply online at commonapp.org or mycoalition.org.

Northwestern University           11

Applications for admission may be submitted before candidates takethe standardized tests required for college admission.

• Arrange with the officials of their high school to complete andforward the Secondary School Report to the Office of UndergraduateAdmission. All candidates should have their records through the sixthsemester sent to Northwestern as early in the senior year as possible.Regular Decision candidates should have seventh-semester gradessent as soon as they are available.

• Submit standardized tests as outlined in the General Requirementsfor Admission (p. 10) section and, if applicable, the EnglishProficiency for International Applicants (p. 10) and/or SAT SubjectTests (p. 10) sections in this chapter. Testing deadlines can befound in the Application and Testing Deadlines (p. 11) table.Applicants may self-report SAT and ACT scores, taking care to reporttheir highest individual sections of the SAT and/or highest ACTcomposite score. Applicants are not obligated to report scores fromall test dates, though are welcome to do so. Admitted students whochoose to enroll will be required to submit official SAT or ACT testscores prior to matriculation. English proficiency scores may notbe self-reported; these should be submitted officially via the testingcompany at the applicant stage. 

• Present a music audition if applying for admission to the BienenSchool of Music; follow the audition guidelines specified at https://music.northwestern.edu/admission/undergraduate/auditions.

Application to Dual Bachelor’s Degree ProgramsA student interested in taking advantage of the opportunity to receivebachelor’s degrees from two different Northwestern undergraduateschools in five years must apply to both schools. It is possible to beadmitted to only one or both schools since applicants are considered foreach school separately.

Dual degree programs available include the following:

• BA/BMus in liberal arts and music• BA/BS or BS/BS in communication and engineering• BA/BMus, BS/BMus, BA/BAMus, or BS/BAMus in communication and

music• BSED/BMus or BSED/BAMus in education and music• BS/BMus or BS/BAMus in engineering and music• BSJ/BMus or BSJ/BAMus in journalism and music

For descriptions of these and other dual bachelor’s degree programs, seethe Dual Bachelor's Degree Programs (p. 35) chapter of this catalog.

Special Admission ProgramsThe following undergraduate programs at Northwestern have specialapplication requirements.

Honors Program in Medical EducationThe Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) providessimultaneous admission to undergraduate study and the Feinberg Schoolof Medicine at Northwestern. Interested students must preapply bythe due date. Those whose preapplications qualify receive the specialHPME application to submit in addition to their regular Application forAdmission to Weinberg College, the School of Communication (humancommunication sciences major only), or the McCormick School. Forapplication deadlines, see the Application and Testing Deadlines(p. 11) table.

For information about HPME, see the Honors Program in MedicalEducation (p. 34) section in the Dual Graduate & UndergraduateDegrees (p. 34) chapter of this catalog.

Integrated Science ProgramA student wishing to be considered for Weinberg College’s IntegratedScience Program, which provides a rigorous background in the majorscientific disciplines and mathematics and can lead to a bachelor ofarts degree in three years, must complete the special ISP application(available at isp.northwestern.edu/admissions/applying/). Applicantsto the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences mayalso submit an ISP application, but doing the additional major in ISPalong with engineering does not accelerate completion of the bachelorof science degree. Either the Common Application or the CoalitionApplication is also required of applicants.

For more information on ISP, see the Integrated Science Program(p. 278) section in the Weinberg College (p. 175) chapter of thiscatalog.

Mathematical Methods in the Social SciencesA student interested in Weinberg College’s program in MathematicalMethods in the Social Sciences (MMSS), which is designed for studentswith high mathematical aptitude and strong interest in social problemsand issues, must complete the special MMSS application (https://www.mmss.northwestern.edu/admission/first-year-application.html).Either the Common Application or the Coalition Application is alsorequired. For more information on MMSS, visit this website (https://www.mmss.northwestern.edu).

Application and Testing Deadlines:Notification PlansRegular Programs for Fall Quarter MatriculationEvent Early Decision Regular DecisionFirst-year studentsseeking to enter inother quarters shouldrequest informationfrom the Officeof UndergraduateAdmission.Apply by November 1 January 1Take SAT or ACT by October test December testIf taking SAT SubjectTests, take by

October test December test

To apply for financialaid, file CSS PROFILEby

December 1 February 15

and file FAFSA by December 1 February 151

Northwestern releasesits decision by

December 15 March 31

Applicant’s reply andnonrefundable tuitionand housing depositsdue by

February 1 May 1

1 Illinois residents should file the FAFSA as close to October 1 aspossible to be considered for eligibility for an Illinois Monetary AwardProgram (MAP) grant.

12        Admission

Honors Program in Medical EducationEvent Regular DecisionHPME preapplication deadline December 1HPME application deadline January 1Submit first-year studentapplication to Northwestern by

January 1

Take SAT (or ACT) by November testTake two SAT Subject Tests by December testTo apply for financial aid, file FAFSAand CSS PROFILE by

February 151

Northwestern releases its decisionby

March 31

Applicant’s reply and nonrefundabletuition and housing deposits due by

May 1

1 Illinois residents should file the FAFSA as close to October 1 aspossible to be considered for eligibility for an Illinois Monetary AwardProgram (MAP) grant.

Transfer Students for Fall Quarter MatriculationEvent Regular DecisionApply by March 15(Space is limited in some programs;apply well before the deadline.)Take SAT or ACT by March 15(Scores from previous academicyears are acceptable.)Apply for financial aid by March 15(Aid availability is limited; consultthe Office of UndergraduateAdmission.)Northwestern releases its decisionas soon as possible after theapplication deadline; applicant’sreply is due within two weeks.

Advanced PlacementIn nearly all areas Northwestern awards credit for Advanced PlacementExamination scores of 5; in some cases credit is also awarded for scoresof 3 and 4. Specific questions concerning Northwestern’s advancedplacement policies should be addressed to the Office of the Registraror the school adviser. In some fields advanced placement and/or creditcan be earned through appropriate performance on examinationsadministered by Northwestern departments.

Northwestern may award credit for distinguished performance on certainforeign national examinations, and the higher-level examinations of theInternational Baccalaureate. Students will receive credit only once forthe same course of study even if mastery is demonstrated on multipleexams (e.g., mathematics AP and IB exams). Also, credit is awarded onlyfor exams taken prior to matriculation at Northwestern.

Northwestern also may award credit for college courses taken byincoming first-year students before they enter the University. To qualifyfor such recognition, the courses must be similar to courses offeredat Northwestern, must have been completed at a college or universitywhose accreditation is recognized by Northwestern, must not havebeen submitted in partial fulfillment of the normal secondary school

graduation requirement, and must have been taken primarily by bona fidecollege students (i.e., high school graduates pursuing a college degree).

Transfer CandidatesStudents may be considered for admission as transfers from anothercollege or university provided they have completed one full year ofuniversity studies by the application deadline, are in good standing attheir postsecondary institution, and have maintained at least a B averagein rigorous academic courses. If students have been enrolled full-timeat any institution except Northwestern, they cannot be considered foradmission as first-year candidates and must meet the criteria to applyas transfer candidates. Undergraduate schools at Northwestern enrolltransfer students in the fall quarter only, and admitted transfer studentsmay not defer their enrollment to any subsequent fall. Transfer studentsmust meet the relevant provisions of the Undergraduate RegistrationRequirement (p. 26).

Transfer Admission ProcedureTo be considered for admission, transfer students must complete thefollowing steps:

• Complete the Common Application or the Coalition Application.Submit online at commonapp.org or mycoalition.org.

• Arrange with the officials of the high school to forward the completehigh school report to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

• Submit results of the SAT or the ACT. Writing sections areoptional. Applicants may self-report SAT and ACT scores, taking careto report their highest individual sections of the SAT and/or highestACT composite score. Applicants are not obligated to report scoresfrom all test dates, though are welcome to do so. Admitted studentswho choose to enroll will be required to submit official SAT or ACTtest scores prior to matriculation. English proficiency scores may notbe self-reported; these should be submitted officially via the testingcompany at the applicant stage. 

• Arrange with the registrar of each college previously attendedto forward transcripts of record to the Office of UndergraduateAdmission.

• Request a statement of good academic and social standing fromthe dean of students at the college from which the student istransferring.

• Present a music audition if applying for admission to theBienen School of Music (for audition guidelines, see https://music.northwestern.edu/admission/undergraduate/auditions/programs).

• Submit application for admission before the March 15 deadline.

Evaluation of CreditsTransfer candidates who are accepted by Northwestern will receive apreliminary evaluation of the credits they have earned to date beforematriculation, assuming all pertinent transcripts have been received.An official evaluation of credits earned will be made by the Office ofthe Registrar when an admitted student matriculates. To read thetransfer credit policy, go to www.registrar.northwestern.edu/graduation/transfer_and_test_credit.html.

Professional Education StudentsThe Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, theUniversity’s continuing education division, offers an extensive range ofprograms and courses in Chicago, Evanston, and online for adult studentsseeking personal enrichment or professional mobility, preparation forgraduate study, or pursuit of a degree or a certificate.

Northwestern University           13

The school allows adults with a college degree, or some college creditand good standing, or a high school diploma but no prior college workto enroll in courses as students at large. Students who wish to earn adegree or a certificate should speak with an academic adviser aboutadmission.

More information about the school is available on itswebsite, sps.northwestern.edu.

Special StudentsProperly qualified persons who demonstrate a need for certain coursesrequired for their academic or professional advancement may applyto the University as special nondegree-seeking students. Applicantsmust present official transcripts of previous study and show evidenceof successful academic achievement. Persons who do not meet theserequirements should not apply.

Enrollment as a special student does not constitute admission to anydegree program at the University, and credits earned as a special studentmay not be counted toward a degree at Northwestern. (Exception:Special students who subsequently become eligible for admission intothe School of Professional Studies may apply these credits toward adegree.) Special students are granted academic credit for courseworksatisfactorily completed, and these credits may be transferred to anotherinstitution.

Special students are admitted with the understanding that they mayregister only after students working toward Northwestern degreeshave registered. Some classes will be closed, and some schools ordepartments may not accept nondegree students. These restrictions donot apply to Summer Session.

Special students are not permitted to enroll in 399 or 499 IndependentStudy courses.

All tuition and fees for special students are charged at the undergraduaterate. Complete instructions and application forms may be obtained fromthe:

Office of Special StudentsNorthwestern University405 Church StreetEvanston, Illinois 60208

For more information see sps.northwestern.edu/main/nondegree-special-students.

Admission WithdrawalIn cases where an admitted student’s academic performance faltersseriously, as indicated by a final transcript, an offer of admission may bewithdrawn. Northwestern also reserves the right to rescind an admissionoffer if we receive information that, in our judgment, reflects negativelyon a student’s character or fitness for study and/or participation in theNorthwestern community.

14        Financial Aid

FINANCIAL AIDThe University awards financial aid on the basis of need as determinedby the financial circumstances of the family. Federal loans or privatescholarships are provided according to their own criteria and sometimesregardless of financial need. Financial aid consists of scholarships,part-time employment, and loan funding. These funds come from state,federal, institutional, and private sources. Students must apply forfinancial aid each year and might qualify for a combination of funds.Aid awards will be relatively consistent assuming the family financialcircumstance is also relatively consistent.

For new first-year students, financial aid is renewable for a maximum of12 quarters of full-time enrollment or its equivalent. Students admittedto a five-year dual degree program approved for aid are eligible for amaximum of 15 quarters of full-time enrollment or its equivalent. Thefive-year dual degree programs approved for aid include liberal arts andmusic, communication and engineering, communication and music,education and music, engineering and music, or journalism and music.  Students must be enrolled in the dual degree program by the end oftheir sophomore year. A student who later decides to pursue only onedegree reverts to a maximum eligibility of 12 quarters. Students pursuingother dual degree opportunities that are not approved for aid would beeligible for federal and state funding only after utilizing 12 quarters ofinstitutional aid. Transfer students are eligible for up to 9 quarters ofinstitutional financial aid.

Regardless of whether a student receives financial aid in a given quarteror year, all quarters of enrollment count toward the maximum eligibility.Those needing additional quarters of aid must submit an appeal tothe Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid. Those appeals should besubmitted at the time that the additional quarter is needed.

 For information consult undergradaid.northwestern.edu/information-for/prospective-students.html.

Financial Aid ApplicationWho Should ApplyStudents who believe they cannot afford the full cost of a Northwesterneducation should apply for financial aid. International students mightwish to apply for need-based financial aid, although financial need mayfactor into a final admission decision (whereas the review processis need-blind for US citizens and permanent residents). For moreinformation see admissions.northwestern.edu/tuition-aid/international-student-aid.

Application ProcedureApplicants apply for financial aid at the same time as they are submittingthe application for admission. Eligibility for aid cannot be determineduntil the University has admitted an applicant. Candidates should do thefollowing:

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and theCollege Scholarship Service/Financial Aid PROFILE (CSS PROFILE)and request that the information is sent to Northwestern.

• Submit parent and student federal tax returns to the College Board’sInstitutional Documentation Service.

• File the applications as soon possible but not later than the datesindicated in the table titled Application and Testing Deadlines:Notification Plans (p. 11).

Returning students should consult thewebsite undergradaid.northwestern.edu for reapplication instructions,deadlines, and updated policies.

Students are expected to consult their CAESAR account to verify that allrequired applications and additional information have been received bythe Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid.

Financial Aid EligibilityFor financial aid purposes:

Financial Aid Status UnitsFull-Time 3 to 5.5 unitsHalf-time 2 to 2.99 unitsLess than half-time fewer than 2 units

(Note: students who register for more than 5.5 units may be subject tooverload tuition charges, and some schools require these students toobtain the approval of the dean before registering.) All quarters of full-time registration are counted toward the maximum number of quarters offinancial aid eligibility (12 quarters in most cases). Each quarter of half-time status counts as .5 quarter. Any quarter of less than half-time statusis not counted toward the maximum eligibility.

Students enrolled less than half-time are not eligible for financial aid fromNorthwestern but may have limited eligibility for federal aid. Studentsawarded aid at full-time status who enroll at a lower level will have theiraid reduced accordingly. Students will not receive additional universityaid to pay any overload tuition charges they incur.

Students considering a change of registration status should contact theOffice of Financial Aid to determine how the change might affect their aidawards or quarters of eligibility. A detailed explanation of aid eligibilityand policies is provided on the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid’swebsite, undergradaid.northwestern.edu.

Students must maintain satisfactory academic (SAP) progress toremain eligible for financial aid. For Northwestern students, SAP meansthe successful completion of at least 67 percent of the course unitsattempted in an academic year (e.g., a student who registers for a totalof 12 quarter-courses a year must complete at least 8). Withdrawn,incomplete, and repeated courses are counted as attempted course units.

In addition, students must attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better by theend of their second academic year and every year thereafter in order tomeet SAP requirements. This GPA minimum may differ from a school’sacademic requirements, which are outlined in those chapters in thiscatalog.

Students can receive financial aid only for a maximum time frame,which is 150 percent of the program’s published length as measured inacademic units. All transfer credits are counted toward the maximumtime frame. The total number of units required for a bachelor’s degreeis specified in each school’s chapter in this catalog; the website of theOffice of Undergraduate Financial Aid notes the maximum time framescalculated in terms of credits required for degree completion.

Students who fail to maintain SAP as described above will lose eligibilityfor financial aid. He or she will receive email notification from the

Northwestern University           15

Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid and will have the opportunity toappeal the cancellation. The appeal must be submitted to the Office ofUndergraduate Financial Aid within two weeks of the notification from theoffice. In some cases, an appeal will not be considered until the studenthas met with his or her academic adviser to determine an academic planfor completing the degree.

Those students whose appeals are approved will be placed in aprobationary status. While on probation, students are eligible for onequarter of aid. At the end of the probationary period, students must thenbe meeting the cumulative standards of SAP. Students who are requiredto submit an academic plan must meet the conditions of the plan toremain eligible. Students who fail to meet these requirements as of theend of the probationary quarter will be ineligible for financial aid from thatpoint forward.

Those students denied an appeal or who do not appeal can reestablisheligibility by successfully meeting SAP requirements without the use offinancial aid.

Students returning to the University after academic dismissal mustsubmit an appeal before they will be considered for financial aid.

More detailed information regarding satisfactory academic progress isavailable on the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid’s website.

16        Tuition & Payment

TUITION & PAYMENTTuition and FeesThe cost of education at Northwestern is only partly covered by tuitioncharges. The balance is met by the income from invested funds and bythe gifts of alumni and other supporters of the University.

Tuition and fees are listed on the Undergraduate Tuition (https://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/tuition/undergraduate) section of the StudentFinancial Services website. Rates are subject to change without notice,and increases should be expected in subsequent years.

Changes of Registration & BillsNo refund or bill reduction is made for dropped or swapped classesafter the fifth day of the quarter.  Bills will be adjusted for classes addedafter that date.  The University's policies regarding enrollment changesand billing are listed on the Enrollment Changes & Billing (https://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/payments/enrollment-changes.html) sectionof the Student Financial Services website.

Bills and PaymentsThe Office of Student Accounts issues student bills. A due date is shownon each University bill, and payment must be received by that date.Failure to receive bills is not sufficient cause to extend due dates.

Electronic Billing and PaymentNorthwestern’s preferred means of transmitting bills andreceiving payments for tuition and fees is QuikPAY (https://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/payments/methods). Free to students andauthorized payers such as their parents, it provides email notification ofnew bills, allows online payments, and offers the option of receiving paperbills.

Prepayment PlanThe University provides a tuition and fee installment prepayment plan,9PAY (https://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/payments/methods/9PAY),which offers the benefit of prepaying the educational costs for theacademic year in nine monthly payments without incurring finance orinterest charges.

Additional InformationFor more information about bills and payments or 9PAY,visit northwestern.edu/sfs or contact the:

Office of Student Accounts555 Clark StreetEvanston, Illinois 60208-1221studentaccounts-ev@northwestern.edu847-491-5224

Financial ObligationsStudents whose University bills are overdue may not be given anacademic transcript and/or a diploma until all financial obligations arepaid in full. Students whose accounts are overdue must pay a $200 latepayment penalty fee. The director of student accounts may cancel orprevent the registration of a student whose bills are past due. A studentis liable for any costs associated with the collection of his or her past-due

account, including but not limited to collection agency costs, court costs,and legal fees.

Tuition BenefitSupplemental Enrollment BenefitStudents who are unable to complete bachelor’s degree requirementsin 12 quarters of enrollment due to circumstances beyond their control,and who have paid full-time tui