Degree Requirements
SPS programs lead to one of three Northwestern University bachelor’s degrees. Two of the degrees—the bachelor of philosophy (BPhil) and the bachelor of science in general studies (BSGS)—are conferred by the Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. The third degree, the bachelor of philosophy in communication (BPhilCom), is conferred by the School of Communication. The BPhilCom is an interdisciplinary professional degree. The degree is awarded to those students who major in Communication Studies, Communication Systems, or Radio/Television/Film. Some majors offer a choice of the BPhil or the BSGS degree. The primary difference is that the BPhil degree has a modern language requirement.
Bachelor of Philosophy
To earn the BPhil degree, students must complete a total of 45 units (courses), including a writing requirement, two years of study in a foreign language (or demonstration of equivalent foreign language proficiency), distribution requirements, a major, and electives. Foreign language proficiency may be demonstrated by completion of a second-year language sequence with a grade of C or better at an accredited college or university. Minors are optional.
| Courses | Units Earned |
|---|---|
| English 111 or 205 and 113 | 2 |
| Modern Foreign Language | 6 |
| Humanities | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Social Sciences | 4 |
| Major Requirements | 10-22 |
| Electives | Up to 15 |
| Total | 45 |
Bachelor of Science in General Studies
For the BSGS degree, students must complete 45 units, including a writing requirement, distribution requirements, a major, and electives. Minors are optional.
| Courses | Units Earned |
|---|---|
| English 111 or 205 and 113 | 2 |
| Humanities | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Social Sciences | 4 |
| Major Requirements | 10-20 |
| Electives | Up to 21 |
| Total | 45 |
Bachelor of Philosophy in Communication
To earn the BPhilCom degree, students must complete a total of 42 units, including a writing requirement, distribution requirements, a major and electives. Minors are optional.
| Courses | Units Earned |
|---|---|
| English 111 or 205 | 1 |
| English 113 or Perf St 103 | 1 |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Psychology | 3 |
| Science | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
| Major Requirements | 12-14 |
| Electives | Up to 16 |
| Total | 42 |
About the Writing Requirement
The writing requirement ensures that all students can meet the rigorous writing demands of courses in all disciplines. Transfer and performance-based admission students must fulfill the writing requirement through one of two options:
Option 1: Complete an English composition course at SPS.
Demonstrate successfully completion of English 111 or 205. A grade of C or higher is required.
Option 2: Successfully appeal the writing requirement.
Students who believe they have the writing skills necessary for university-level research and analytical papers may appeal the SPS writing requirement. Submit a letter of appeal and two college/university research papers written during previous studies or at SPS. Following the review of the appeal, students will receive an email reporting the results, followed by a letter. Send appeal materials to:
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs
School of Professional Studies
Northwestern University
339 East Chicago Avenue, 6th floor
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Appeal materials must be submitted by the quarter deadline before entry.
About the Distribution Requirements
Students complete course work in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences to obtain a broad experience in the liberal arts. Courses that satisfy these distribution requirements include the following areas:
Humanities
Art history, classics, comparative literary studies, English literature, foreign languages (up to two units), history, music history, philosophy, religion, and some courses in African American studies, foreign languages with literature, gender studies, performance studies, radio/television/film, Slavic languages and literature and theatre.
Sciences
Astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, earth and planetary sciences, engineering, geography, information systems, mathematics, physics and some courses in anthropology, communication sciences and disorders, psychology, radio/television/film and statistics.
Social Sciences
Anthropology, economics, history, linguistics, political science, sociology, and some courses in African American studies, communication sciences and disorders, gender studies, psychology and statistics.