Specialized Studies for Career Advancement

Career changers and professionals seeking to advance within their organization can create a customized program of study to meet their goals. Students in this program develop a specialized academic plan of four to eight courses that capitalizes on their background and that suits their professional and personal objectives. For example, a student might build a plan comprised of business courses from different subjects (such as accounting, finance, and marketing), or of a grouping of courses across disciplines (such as information systems and communication studies).

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Students interested in creating a specialized program to prepare for graduate or professional school and PhD programs should explore the Pregraduate Specialized Studies post-baccalaureate program.

Program Details

Time to Completion

Two quarters to two years, based on your goals and number of courses

Location and Times

Evening courses on Northwestern's Evanston and Chicago campuses
Fully online courses

Advising

Work with an adviser to develop a specialized academic program

Application

When applying, select Specialized Studies as Certificate Program

Areas of Study

Create a plan of study to suit your needs, choosing courses from across academic subjects offered in SPS. In some subjects, 300-level courses may have prerequisites, which are noted in course descriptions.

To view available courses in the subjects below, applicants should consult the SPS undergraduate course schedule.

View current course schedule

Subjects include:

Accounting
Biological Sciences
Communication Studies
Economics
English
French (elementary and intermediate levels only)
Finance
Health Sciences
Information Systems
Journalism
Marketing
Mathematics (algebra, calculus)
Organization Behavior
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Social Sciences
Sociology
Spanish (elementary and intermediate levels only)

French or Spanish Language Preparation

Specialized studies can be an ideal means to gain proficiency in French or Spanish. Through interactive, communicative activities in elementary- and intermediate-level French or Spanish courses in SPS, students develop the skills to participate in a French- or Spanish-speaking environment and gain both language and cultural competence—excellent preparation for work, travel, or further study. Northwestern’s language curriculum is practical and learner-centered, taught by faculty from the university’s French and Spanish language departments.

Select at least four and up to six courses in either French or in Spanish to create a plan that aligns with your academic, professional, or personal goals.

French Courses

FRENCH 111-A Elementary French
FRENCH 111-B Elementary French
FRENCH 111-C Elementary French
FRENCH 121-A Intermediate French
FRENCH 121-B Intermediate French
FRENCH 121-C Intermediate French

Spanish Courses

Spanish 101-A Elementary Spanish I
Spanish 101-B Elementary Spanish II
Spanish 101-C Elementary Spanish III
Spanish 102-A Intermediate Spanish I
Spanish 102-B Intermediate Spanish II
Spanish 102-C Intermediate Spanish III

Registration notes:

French and Spanish courses are offered weekday evenings in the fall, winter, and spring quarters on the Northwestern University campus
The recommended start time for students interested in French or Spanish language preparation is fall quarter
At least four and up to six courses to be completed to earn the Specialized Studies certificate
Placement in advanced courses in the curriculum is possible based on the student’s level of proficiency, which is assessed by program instructors prior to course registration

Specialized Studies Courses

Search for courses in the subjects above in the undergraduate course schedule. Descriptions, schedules, and locations are included.