Students select their School of Communication major when they first apply to Northwestern and matriculate directly into that major once admitted. SoC students who wish to change to another major within SoC must complete the interdepartmental transfer process. Students admitted to an NU undergraduate program outside SoC who wish to pursue an SoC major must complete an interschool transfer into SoC.
School of Communication students may pursue minors both within and outside SoC. SoC minors can be declared or dropped via the attached forms. SoC also facilitates two certificate programs: Music Theatre and Human Computer Interaction. SoC students are free to pursue certificate programs across Northwestern as long as they meet program eligibility requirements.
A curricular initiative unique to the School of Communication, modules are topically focused learning communities that students may pursue in conjunction with their SoC major. Modules include formal coursework, co-curricular activities, pre-professional experiences, and culminate in a capstone project. Enrollment and declaration processes vary by module. Students are encouraged to consult with the module advisor or faculty coordinator.
The School of Communication offers dual degree options with the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Bienen School of Music. These programs award two degrees, one from each participating school, and usually require five years to complete.
Special Courses in the School of Communication provide opportunities for students to advance their study of communication through applied learning and meaningful collaborations with peers, faculty, industry professionals, staff, and alumni. They include the Global Media and Communications Seminar, Internship Seminars, Independent Study, Practicum courses, and Student Organized Seminars.
The School of Communication provides many opportunities for students to satisfy degree requirements with courses in other NU programs. Such opportunities include double majors and adjunct minors, the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences’ Chicago Field Studies internship program, courses in Northwestern’s School of Professional Studies, and study abroad opportunities through the Global Learning Office. Before pursuing one of these opportunities, it would be best to meet with your advisor and discuss your options, as well as any necessary applications and forms.
The School of Communication recognizes our students’ accomplishments via a range of different honors. Some are automatically considered; others require applications, linked below, as well as additional courses or projects. Each year, the Communication Studies department also asks students, faculty, and staff to nominate outstanding TAs for departmental recognition.
Students must meet with their SoC academic advisor and submit a petition to graduate approximately one calendar year before their intended graduation date. Graduation celebrations are held in June for students with degrees from the preceding December through the following August. Students wishing to change their graduation participation year must submit the following form.
All alleged cases of academic dishonesty involving undergraduate students in the School of Communication proceed through the Office of Undergraduate Programs and Advising. Details regarding SoC incident and appeals processes, potential sanctions, and guidelines for cross-school cases can be found on our website.
Student educational records, including but not limited to transcripts, attendance records, grades, and correspondence about classroom activities, are subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). As such, records cannot be shared with third parties, including a student’s parents, without the student’s written consent.
The university sets and maintains academic and financial deadlines related to registration and enrollment, as well as policies regarding time conflicts, adding and dropping courses, course withdrawals, and repeating courses. Requests to verify enrollment or a degree must be directed to the Registrar’s Office. Continually enrolled students who need an extra term to graduate can also apply for tuition assistance through a link provided by the Office of the Registrar. While students’ class standing in the School of Communication is determined based upon the number of credits earned, SoC students are placed into Advising Cohorts based on the year that they matriculated into NU.
Northwestern calculates GPA based on a standard 4.0 scale, with additional options depending on the course and circumstances. When signing up for classes, students may have the option to take a course Pass/Not Pass (P/N), which will not affect GPA and can only be counted as elective credit. Northwestern University expects students to finish their coursework on time or remove themselves by dropping or withdrawing. When situations outside a student’s control arise that prevent timely course completion, students may request an incomplete grade in courses they have substantially completed (at least 50%, including any requirements of attendance or engagement), contingent on approval from their instructor and the Undergraduate Dean.
Students may transfer in credits from several non-Northwestern sources and have them apply to their School of Communication degree. SoC has separate guidelines for how AP and IB credits as well as transfer credits from other institutions can be counted towards our degrees. These policies are jointly maintained by SoC and the Office of the Registrar. SoC also maintains guidelines on credit load, including policies on what constitutes full time, part time, or overload credit load.
The School of Communication maintains a set of academic standards that all students are expected to meet in order to fulfill degree requirements within a reasonable period of time. High-performing students are eligible for various school-wide honors while enrolled and upon graduation. Students who do not meet these standards may be placed on academic probation as a means of helping the student get back on track. Students who do not demonstrate significant academic improvement during the probation period may be dismissed from the University.
Students wishing to temporarily withdraw from the university for one or more quarters must submit a Term Withdrawal Request. Once withdrawn, to return to the university, students must submit an Application for Former Student to Re-Enter (FRET) well in advance of the quarter they wish to return.
Linked forms:
