Liberal arts
“I came to Northwestern as a theatre major, then I switched to pre-med—then I took a sociology course … I majored in sociology because of the liberal arts.” Josh Perkins ’04, Beaver City, Neb.
Maybe you already know what type of career you’re interested in—and therefore, what major suits you. Maybe not. Either way, as a student at Northwestern, you will explore a variety of disciplines as you meet the general education requirements for graduation. Some students view their general education requirements in a variety of disciplines—like English, history, philosophy, religion, the fine arts, languages, and the natural and social sciences—as just that: requirements, something to be checked off the list. But if you open your mind, you’ll see your general education courses aren’t obstacles to your major, career and life beyond college—they’re doorways. And maybe, as happened for Josh, those doors will lead you in a whole different direction.
Students at Northwestern are preparing not just for a career, but for life—which involves a lot more learning and requires far more skills. You might be an accountant. But you could also be a spouse, parent, board member, volunteer firefighter, Sunday school teacher and Cub Scout leader—and maintaining a good marriage, raising kids and serving your community and church may prove both harder and more rewarding than being able to balance your company’s books. Learning is about more than skills, and life is about more than what you do for a living. That’s why at Northwestern you’ll get a whole education for your whole life.
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Academics
