Cross School Registration
To register for a class offered by another Northwestern University school, you must follow a process based on your home school and the school offering the class.
In addition to learning school-specific procedures (listed below), consult with your school's Registrar to determine:
- The possibility of taking the class.
- The possibility of applying the class toward your degree.
- The grading scheme of the visiting school and the ramifications/implications on your degree requirements.
- How the course will appear on your transcript.
- Whether or not you need to contact the visiting school.
- The possible costs involved. Note that charges will be made to your school and based on its tuition policy. Your school's registrar will work with the Office of Student Accounts to nullify any tuition to the visiting school
The below rules do not apply if:
- If you are a joint-program student, these rules do not apply; consult with your Registrar(s) to determine if cross-school registration is possible.
- If the course is co-listed, cross-school registration rules do not apply for students in the schools that have listed the class.
School specific rules
Kellogg School of Management
Can cross-school courses be taken by students in this program?
Can cross-school courses be taken in this program by other NU students?
Answer: Yes, subject to the following restrictions:
Taking a Kellogg course on the Evanston or Chicago campus:
- The course must be listed on the schedule that is sent to the home school for the requested quarter and a seat is available in the course
- The student must be enrolled in another graduate program at the University
- All requests must be approved and signed by home school/department.
- Non-Kellogg students may take a maximum of 1 unit per quarter.
School of Professional Studies
Can cross-school courses be taken by students in this program?
Answer: Yes, subject to the following restrictions:
- The student is degree-seeking.
- The Student Affairs Committee gives permission.
Can cross-school courses be taken in this program by other NU students?
Answer: Yes, subject to the following restrictions:
- Students must fill out an Authorization for Dual Registration form and obtain permission from their College Adviser, Dean’s Office or Graduate Program.
- Students must submit all relevant paperwork to the Office of the Registrar in Evanston.
- Space must be available after SPS students have registered; registrations are processed just prior to the first day of the term.
- Students should be aware of how many units of SPS credit are allowed toward their degree.
- Undergraduate students are not eligible to enroll in Graduate SPS courses.
Feinberg School of Medicine
Can cross-school courses be taken by students in this program?
Answer: Yes, if these procedures are followed:
- Contact the school for course information.
- Spaces are available after the school's students have enrolled.
- All course pre-requisites must be completed.
- The Medical School Registrar must complete the registration process.
Can cross-school courses be taken in this program by other NU students?
Answer: Rarely. The Medical School Registrar must approve the request and consult with the Associate Dean and course director. The decision will be based on:
- Reason for attempting the course.
- Completion of course pre-requisites.
- Space availability.
Department of Physical Therapy
Can cross-school courses be taken by students in this program?
Answer: No courses can be taken outside the department.
Can cross-school courses be taken in this program by other NU students?
Answer: No. Students from other programs may not register for these courses.
Prosthetics/Orthotics
Can cross-school courses be taken by students in this program?
Answer: No courses can be taken inside the department.
Can cross-school courses be taken in this program by other NU students?
Answer: No. Students from other programs may not register for these courses.
The Law School
Can cross-school courses be taken by students in this program?
Answer: Yes, up to the equivalent of 10 semester hours, given the following conditions are met:
- It is a graduate-level course.
- The Law School Registrar grants permission.
- No language classes are allowed.
- Students may only enroll in Fall or Winter quarter (not Spring or Summer); students may not enroll in both Law’s Winter Intersession and a Winter quarter course.
Can cross-school courses be taken in this program by other NU students?
Answer: No. Students from other programs may not register for these courses.
How to Register for a Class at another Northwestern School
Once you have reviewed the criteria above and spoken with your adviser, you can fill out a dual registration form. Cross school registration isn't processed until one week before the term begins and you will receive an email when your registration has been processed. Please note that enrollment is subject to available seats and approval to take a class is not a guarantee of a spot in class.