Program Overview

Northwestern University Academic Catalog

School of Professional Studies

The School of Professional Studies offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs designed to meet the needs of working professionals and individuals seeking to advance their education.

Undergraduate Programs

• Biological Sciences, BSGS
• Communication Studies, BPhil Com
• Economics, BPhil
• Economics, BSGS
• English: Writing, BPhil
• English: Writing, BSGS
• Enterprise Leadership, BS
• Health Sciences, BS
• Humanities, BPhil
• Humanities, BSGS
• Information Systems, BPhil
• Information Systems, BS
• Information Systems, BSGS
• Organization Behavior, BPhil
• Organization Behavior, BSGS
• Psychology, BPhil
• Psychology, BSGS
• Social Sciences, BPhil
• Social Sciences, BS
• Social Sciences, BSGS
• Strategic Communication, BS

Graduate Programs

Data Science

• Data Science, MS
• Data Science, MS Analytics and Modeling Specialization
• Data Science, MS Analytics Management Specialization
• Data Science, MS Artificial Intelligence Specialization
• Data Science, MS Data Engineering Specialization
• Data Science, MS Technology Entrepreneurship Specialization

Global Health

• Global Health, MS

Health Analytics

• Health Analytics, MS

Healthcare Administration

• Healthcare Administration, MS

Health Informatics

• Health Informatics, MS
• Health Informatics, MS Clinical Informatics Specialization
• Health Informatics, MS Health Administration Informatics Specialization
• Health Informatics, MS Health Technology Informatics Specialization

Information Design and Strategy

• Information Design and Strategy, MS
• Information Design and Strategy, MS Communication with Data Specialization
• Information Design and Strategy, MS Content Strategy Specialization
• Information Design and Strategy, MS Learning Design Specialization
• Information Design and Strategy, MS UX/UI Specialization

Information Systems

• Information Systems, MS
• Information Systems, MS Artificial Intelligence Specialization
• Information Systems, MS Data Science Specialization
• Information Systems, MS Database and Internet Technologies Specialization
• Information Systems, MS Digital Transformation Specialization
• Information Systems, MS Health Informatics Specialization
• Information Systems, MS Information Systems Management Specialization
• Information Systems, MS Information Systems Security Specialization
• Information Systems, MS Project Management Specialization

Liberal Studies

• Liberal Studies, MA
• Liberal Studies, MA Interdisciplinary Studies Specialization

Literature

• Literature, MA
• Literature, MA American Literature Specialization
• Literature, MA British Literature Specialization
• Literature, MA Comparative and World Literature Specialization
• Literature, MA Film, Literature, and Visual Culture Specialization
• Literature, MA Interdisciplinary Studies Specialization

Prose and Poetry

• Prose and Poetry, MFA
• Prose and Poetry, MFA Dual-Genre Specialization
• Prose and Poetry, MFA Fiction Specialization
• Prose and Poetry, MFA Nonfiction Specialization
• Prose and Poetry, MFA Poetry Specialization
• Prose and Poetry, MFA Publishing and Professional Development Specialization

Public Policy and Administration

• Public Policy and Administration, MA
• Public Policy and Administration, MA Data Analytics for Public Policy Specialization
• Public Policy and Administration, MA Global Health Specialization
• Public Policy and Administration, MA Global Policy Specialization
• Public Policy and Administration, MA Public Administration Specialization
• Public Policy and Administration, MA Public Policy Specialization

Regulatory Compliance

• Regulatory Compliance, MS
• Regulatory Compliance, MS Clinical Research Specialization
• Regulatory Compliance, MS Quality Systems Specialization

Sports Administration

• Sports Administration, MA
• Sports Administration, MA College Sports Management Specialization
• Sports Administration, MA Sports Analytics Specialization

Writing

• Writing, MA
• Writing, MA Dual-Genre Specialization
• Writing, MA Fiction Specialization
• Writing, MA Nonfiction Specialization
• Writing, MA Poetry Specialization
• Writing, MA Publishing and Professional Development Specialization

Certificates

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

• Advanced Accounting, Certificate
• Advanced Studies in Biology for Health Professions, Certificate
• Advanced Studies in Psychology, Certificate
• Artificial Intelligence, Certificate
• Biology for Health Sciences, Certificate
• Business Essentials, Certificate
• Business Writing/Communication, Certificate
• Change Management, Certificate
• Corporate Communication and Branding, Certificate
• CPA Accounting, Certificate
• Creative Writing, Certificate
• Data Science, Certificate
• Digital Content Management, Certificate
• Fundamentals of Accounting, Certificate
• Health, Science and Society, Certificate
• Human Resources, Certificate
• Law and Policy, Certificate
• Leadership, Certificate
• Math for Data Science, Certificate
• Pre-Clinical Psychology, Certificate
• Pre-Graduate Business Administration, Certificate
• Pre-Medicine, Certificate
• Pre-Physical Therapy, Certificate
• Pre-Physician Assistant, Certificate
• Programming, Certificate
• Public Health, Certificate
• Research and Analytics, Certificate
• Social Justice, Certificate
• Specialized Studies, Certificates
• Strategic Communication, Certificate
• Strategic Management, Certificate
• Strategic Marketing, Certificate
• Writing for Print and Digital Media, Certificate

Graduate Certificates

• Data Science, Analytics and Modeling, Graduate Certificate
• Data Science, Analytics Management, Graduate Certificate
• Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Data Science, Data Engineering, Graduate Certificate
• Data Science, Technology Entrepreneurship, Graduate Certificate
• Global Health, Global Health Leadership, Graduate Certificate
• Health Analytics, Health Analytics, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Health Analytics, Health Data Science, Graduate Certificate
• Health Informatics, Health Informatics Graduate Certificate
• Health Informatics, Interdisciplinary Studies in Health Informatics, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Healthcare Industry, Healthcare Industry, Graduate Certificate
• Information Design and Strategy, Communication with Data, Graduate Certificate
• Information Design and Strategy, Content Strategy, Graduate Certificate
• Information Design and Strategy, Interdisciplinary Studies in Information Design and Strategy, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Information Design and Strategy, Learning Design, Graduate Certificate
• Information Systems, Database & Internet Technologies, Graduate Certificate
• Information Systems, Information Systems Management, Graduate Certificate
• Information Systems, Information Systems Security, Graduate Certificate
• Information Systems, Interdisciplinary Studies in Information Systems, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Information Systems, Project Management, Graduate Certificate
• Liberal Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Literature, Interdisciplinary Studies, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Literature, Literature, Graduate Certificate
• Predictive Analytics, Data Science, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Public Policy and Administration, Climate Change Communication, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Public Policy and Administration, Global Policy, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Public Policy and Administration, Policy Analysis, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Public Policy and Administration, Public Administration, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Public Policy and Administration, Public Policy and Administration, Graduate Certificate
• Public Policy and Administration, Public Policy, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Regulatory Compliance, Interdisciplinary Studies in Regulatory Compliance, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Compliance Graduate Certificate
• Regulatory Policy & Health Systems, Regulatory Policy and Health Systems, Graduate Certificate
• Sports Administration, College Sports Management, Graduate Certificate
• Sports Administration, Esports, Graduate Certificate
• Sports Administration, Interdisciplinary Studies in Sports Administration, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Sports Administration, Sports Analytics, Graduate Certificate
• Sports Administration, Sports Communication, Graduate Certificate
• Sports Administration, Sports Management, Graduate Certificate
• Writing, Creative Writing, Graduate Certificate
• Writing, Interdisciplinary Studies in Writing, Advanced Graduate Certificate
• Writing, Publishing and Professional Development in Writing, Advanced Graduate Certificate

Information Design and Strategy, MS Communication with Data Specialization

The Communication with Data specialization will give students the tools they need to communicate complex data accurately and effectively. The courses in this specialization will enable students to work with data analysts within their organizations to translate data into images and stories that executives and customers can understand.

Curriculum

Core Courses (9 units)

• MS_IDS 401-DL: Models and Theories of User-Centered Design
• MS_IDS 403-DL: Effective Communication
• MS_IDS 405-DL: User Research
• MS_IDS 407-DL: Information and Content Strategy
• MS_IDS 409-DL: Data Science, Management, and Business Strategy
• MS_IDS 411-DL: Information Design and Architecture
• MS_IDS 413-DL: Visual Communication
• MS_IDS 481-DL: Leadership and Business Strategy
• MS_IDS 498-DL: Capstone Project
• or MS_IDS 590-DL: Thesis Research

Specialization Courses (3 units)

• MS_IDS 452-DL: Intro to Data Collection and Analytics
• MS_IDS 453-DL: Introduction to Techniques of Predictive Analytics
• MS_IDS 455-DL: Visualization of Data and Text

About the Final Project

As their final course, students take either the individual research project in an independent study format (thesis research) or the final project class in which students integrate the knowledge they have gained in the core curriculum in a project presented by the instructor. In both cases, students are guided by faculty in exploring the body of knowledge on information design and strategy while contributing research of practical value to the field. The capstone independent thesis project and capstone class project count as one unit of credit.

Pre-requisite: Students may take one other course simultaneously with MS_IDS 498-DL Capstone Project. All other course requirements must have been completed before the commencement of this course.

• Choose one
  • MS_IDS 498-DL: Capstone Project
  • MS_IDS 590-DL: Thesis Research

Additional Programs and Courses

Northwestern University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various schools and colleges, including the School of Professional Studies, The Graduate School, and the undergraduate colleges. These programs include:

The Graduate School

• Academic Policies and Procedures
• Programs A-Z
• Courses A-Z

Undergraduate

• Privacy & Disclosures
• Admission
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Payment
• Courses A-Z
• Programs A-Z
• Requirements and Policies
• Additional Baccalaureate Options
• Dual Graduate & Undergraduate Degrees
• Dual Bachelor's Degrees
• Study Outside Northwestern
• Undergraduate Research
• Special Programs & Courses

Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music

• Composition and Music Technology
• Conducting and Ensembles
• Jazz
• Music Cognition
• Music Core
• Music Education
• Music Studies for Nonmajors
• Music Technology
• Music Theory and Cognition
• Musicology
• Piano
• String Instruments
• Voice and Opera
• Winds and Percussion Instruments

School of Communication

• Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Communication Studies
• Dance
• Human Communication Sciences
• Interdepartmental Communication Options
• Performance Studies
• Radio/Television/Film
• Theatre

School of Education and Social Policy

• Elementary Teaching
• Human Development in Context
• Learning and Organizational Change
• Learning Sciences
• Secondary Teaching
• Social Policy
• Experiential Learning
• Civic Engagement Certificate

Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

• Applied Mathematics
• Architectural Engineering and Design
• Artificial Intelligence
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Curious Life Certificate
• Design Engineering (Engineering Design)
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics
• Environmental Engineering
• Farley Center for Entrepreneurship
• General Engineering
• Human Computer Interaction
• Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences
• Machine Learning and Data Science
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Segal Design Institute
• Robotics

Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications

• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Journalism

Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

• Advanced Expression
• African Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• Arabic
• Art History
• Art Theory and Practice
• Asian American Studies
• Asian Languages and Cultures
• Astronomy
• Biological Sciences
• Black Studies
• Business Institutions
• Catholic Studies
• Chemistry
• Chicago Field Studies
• Chinese
• Classics
• Cognitive Science
• Comparative Literary Studies
• Computer Science
• Critical Theory
• Data Science
• Earth and Planetary Sciences
• Economics
• Empirical and Deductive Reasoning
• English
• Environmental Policy and Culture
• Environmental Sciences
• Ethics and Civic Life
• French and Italian
• Gender and Sexuality Studies
• General Liberal Arts
• German
• Global Health Studies
• Greek
• Hebrew
• Hindi
• Historical Studies
• History
• Humanities
• Integrated Science
• International Studies
• Italian
• Japanese
• Jewish Studies
• Korean
• Latin
• Latin American and Caribbean Studies
• Latina and Latino Studies
• Legal Studies
• Linguistics
• Literature and Arts
• Materials Science
• Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences
• Mathematics
• Middle East and North African Languages
• Middle East and North African Studies
• Molecular Biosciences
• Native American and Indigenous Studies
• Natural Sciences
• Neurobiology
• Neuroscience
• Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
• Philosophy
• Physics and Astronomy
• Political Science
• Portuguese
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Russian
• Science in Human Culture
• Slavic Languages and Literatures
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Sociology
• Spanish & Portuguese
• Statistics and Data Science
• Swahili
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Writing Program