Complete your degree at Northwestern

Earn your bachelor's degree in a part-time program tailored for the busy schedules of professionals. Choose from fully online bachelor’s degrees or on-campus undergraduate majors. Online courses are designed to ensure robust and engaging learning experiences. Students in on-campus majors attend evening classes on Northwestern's beautiful Chicago and Evanston campuses. All undergraduate courses are led by Northwestern faculty members and prominent industry professionals and offer the high level of academic rigor that Northwestern is known for. 

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Students who enroll in SPS undergraduate courses and are not seeking a certificate or degree at SPS are considered students-at-large. Enrolling in SPS undergraduate courses as a student-at-large is an excellent way to experience what returning to school is like before committing or applying to a program. Students-at-large may enroll in SPS undergraduate on-campus and online courses for credit, or may audit SPS undergraduate courses that allow auditing.

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With so many colleges and universities offering online bachelor’s degrees, it can be difficult to choose the school that’s best for you. But when you complete your degree at Northwestern, you can be confident that you are receiving the best possible education and experience. Here are just a few of the things that make our online undergraduate degree program stand out from the rest:

• Quality education – Northwestern’s online undergraduate degree programs combine the convenience of distance learning with the academic excellence of a top university. SPS courses, whether remote or in-person, hold all students to the same high standards while still being manageable additions to your routine. Choose from majors in relevant topics such as enterprise leadership, health sciences, information systems, and more to help you get ahead in your current career or pivot to a new one.
• Exceptional faculty - Learn from esteemed faculty on the cutting-edge of their fields as well as industry professionals with invaluable real-world experience. Unlike other schools’ online bachelor’s degrees, Northwestern’s online program shares faculty with the day school to give remote students access to the same world-class professors as full-time students.
• Noteworthy name – Distinguish yourself from other job candidates by adding a Northwestern degree to your resume. Ranked #6 nationally by U.S. News and World Report, the Northwestern name is synonymous with academic excellence and innovation, giving your resume the competitive edge when applying to coveted positions.
• Multiple pathways to graduation – For those feeling unsure about earning a bachelor’s degree online, we offer stackable undergraduate certificates so you can quickly build credentials as you get to know the program. With relevant topics such as artificial intelligence, leadership, programming, and human resources, you can build valuable skills, add stand-alone certificates to your resume, and earn credit to apply to your online bachelor’s degree progress. For select majors, students located in the Chicago area can also opt to take evening classes in person at the downtown and Evanston campuses.

Students enrolled in the online bachelor’s degree program have access to a wealth of resources, helping you make the most of your Northwestern experience.

Student life resources

• Online bachelor's degree program orientation: Once admitted, all Northwestern students completing their bachelor’s degree online are invited to participate in a virtual program orientation on Canvas, the learning management system used in SPS classes. This orientation will help students get familiar with all things Northwestern and e-learning, from activating student ID cards to enrolling in courses to navigating program requirements. Once you have activated your Canvas account, be sure to sign up for this non-credit introductory course. (For help accessing Canvas, please visit the Canvas resources page on the Northwestern IT site.)
• Academic advising: The SPS academic advising team offers students help planning their degree, selecting courses, assessing their progress toward graduation, and understanding school policies and procedures. Appointments can be held via Zoom or by phone.
• Career services: Plan for success post-graduation with the help of SPS career advisors, available to help with resume writing, networking, interview preparation, and other crucial professional skills. Handshake, Northwestern Career Advancement’s online platform, also helps students earning their bachelor’s degree online stay up to date with digital events and information sessions as well as internships and job openings.
• Accessibility accommodations: Online bachelor’s degree students seeking disability accommodations should register with Accessible NU, which aims to empower students with disabilities by facilitating communication to other members of the Northwestern community and providing individualized arrangements.
• Symposium: The annual School of Professional Studies Symposium is an optional, three-day in-person event. During Symposium, students will have the chance to connect with peers, faculty, and alumni, enjoy student-led presentations, explore the Evanston and Chicago campuses, and participate in an SPS tailgate before the Northwestern homecoming game.

Academic resources

• The Writing Place: Get help writing papers and articles by scheduling an online appointment with a peer consultant. Whether you need help thinking of a topic, outlining, or reviewing a final draft, the Writing Place offers virtual appointments so that students can
• The SPS Math Place: Need help in a math, science, or engineering course? SPS students currently enrolled in the online undergraduate programs have access to free tutoring via Zoom through the Math Place.
• NU Libraries: Access Northwestern’s digital collection of books, scholarly articles, database subscriptions, and more through the library website. Students may also connect with subject librarians, who specialize in particular areas of study and can help you find the right sources to aid in project research.

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